Flagship 4x4 to rival Mercedes-Benz GLS and is set to arrive on Thai shores in the first quarter of 2019.
So that big front grille is final…
After previewing its flagship SUV in concept form last year, BMW has taken the wraps off the production-ready article called X7.
And yes, that huge kidney-grille design has been carried over basically unscathed and is said by the Munich-based luxury carmaker to be the biggest ever for a BMW.
Other key design elements include the upright stance (Rolls-Royce insists that its all-new Cullinan SUV has nothing to do with the X7 despite being owned by BMW), headlights with laser tech that can illuminate the road 600m ahead and big wheels with sizes ranging from 20-22 inches.
Conceived as a rival for the Mercedes-Benz GLS and Lexus LX, the X7 has three-rows of seats fitted into a package measuring more than 5m in length. The wheelbase length itself is just over 3.1m.
The regular version has seven seats, although there’s an optional two-seat layout in the middle for those needing more comfort. Five-zone climate control is standard.
Does it come with gas-guzzling engines?
As the X7 has been developed with the American, Chinese, Middle Eastern and Russian markets in mind, the initial range comprises of conventional engines with no hybrid to choose from yet.
Petrol versions include the 340hp six-cylinder 40i and 462hp eight-pot 50i, while inline-six diesel variants consist of 265hp 30d and 400hp quad-turbo M50d.
All are equipped with four-wheel drive and eight-speed automatic. Off-road mechanical gear and torque-vectoring differential are only available in selected models.
In a bid to enhance ride comfort, the X7 has air springs on both axles that can be additionally raised by 80mm for more ground clearance.
BMW hasn’t revealed the weight figures, although the X7 should be a heavy car. The diesel-powered 30d, for one, has an average fuel economy of 14.7kpl.
That probably won’t matter to buyers. Is it really coming to Thailand?
BMW Thailand recently wooed the Thai public with the concept version of the X7, so there’s a good chance of it coming to local showrooms by the first quarter of next year.
The version that’s most likely to be chosen is the 30d whose diesel is shared with the 730Ld and 630d GT. Expect to pay around eight million baht for the X7.
The GLS, meanwhile, is already off the Thai menu as it’s about to be replaced soon. In 350d form, the GLS was priced at that aforementioned level.
