Borgward BX7 Concept




With the launch of its BX7, the time-honoured German automobile brand Borgward is celebrating a remarkable comeback. This mid-size SUV prototype, which is close to series production, will be the first vehicle since the 1960s to wear the legendary diamond-shaped Borgward badge. This new model embodies the design philosophy of the young yet familiar Borgward brand — a philosophy which will go on to inspire all of the company's future model series. "Modern tradition" is at the heart of the design philosophy that will help drive forward the development of this brand. As Executive Design Adviser Einar J. Hareide explains, the Borgward design philosophy isn't about retro styling: "The styling of our new series is not based on the design of classic models such as the Isabella. What we do instead is to draw inspiration from these iconic vehicles, decode the original design DNA of the Borgward brand, and then transplant this into the modern age." For the design team, the history of Borgward serves less as a mandate for a specific design than as the basis for transforming the ideals of the company's legendary founder Carl F. W. Borgward. Alongside his expertise in creating ingenious technical solutions, Borgward also possessed a highly refined sense for superb design — as exemplified by models such as the Isabella series.




Elegance, sporty dynamism and commanding presence — these are the qualities of today's Borgward automobiles. The design focuses on the vehicle's hallmark OCTAGON-shaped radiator grille and its characteristic wing design, which invokes a host of different wing shapes, ranging from the rounded contours of the classic biplane wing to the angular lines of a modern jet plane. As Roland Sternmann, Global Executive Design Director at Borgward, explains, nature was another rich source of inspiration: "We borrowed the wing design for the new Borgward BX7 directly from the world's dynamic nature. Just like a bird of prey, dragonfly or ray, the new SUV offers a completely individual interpretation of the wing shape and is therefore unmistakeable." Typical off-roader features such as generous ground clearance, truncated body overhang and a high beltline all reinforce its classic SUV credentials and signals that the all-wheel-drive Borgward BX7 has the performance and capabilities to master all types of terrain.

The front, rear and side of the vehicle form a seamless whole and elevate advanced premium SUV design to a new level. Therefore, when asked about the most attractive feature of the Borgward BX7 TS, Sternmann prefers to emphasise its virtues as a whole: "Whichever way you look at it, our SUV is an exceptionally coherent piece of work in which the front, rear and side of the vehicle all harmonize and complement one another. That's why, unlike other manufacturers, we don't want to talk about its most attractive feature. Instead, that's for the customer to decide. But then again, the customer will be spoilt for choice!"

The characteristic design features of the bodywork continue within the vehicle, whereby the typical wing line and diamond-shaped reprises of the Borgward badge are particularly eyecatching. For example, the nappa leather trim of the dashboard evokes a further wing line, and diamonds are visible in both the colour-contrasted Borgward stitching of the napa leather sport seats and the decorative aluminium trim of the central console.


Linking the dashboard with the door trim, which is also covered with buffalo-brown nappa leather, is a distinctly elevated contour edge that sweeps from the lower edge of the windscreen to the B-pillar, thereby creating a wrap-around effect. Integrated in the upper, matt-black section of the dashboard are domes housing a large, 12.3-inch touchscreen plus round instruments and a central information display. Two open struts beneath the control panel of the automatic multi-zone climate-control system form a visual link with the central console, which houses, amongst other things, a short and ergonomically positioned gear selector for the dual-clutch transmission, a push/turn controller for the infotainment and driving dynamics systems, and a starter button for the engine. The central console flows into a leather-upholstered armrest for driver and front passenger with a storage compartment below.

The roof liner and the inner lining of the body pillars are covered with black DINAMICA imitation leather. With its matt, textured surface, this elegant and sporty material harmonizes well on both a visual and tactile level with the premium fine Scottish nappa leather fittings and enhances the high-quality interior ambience.


An impressive alternative to the Borgward BX7 PHEV cutting-edge plug-in hybrid is offered by the exceptionally sporty Borgward BX7 AWD T-GDI prototype with variable all-wheel drive and a direct injection four-cylinder engine. The ultramodern 2.0-litre direct-injection engine has an output of 165 kW (224 hp) and delivers maximum torque of 300 Nm starting at 1,750 rpm. This performance, that is perfectly aligned with it, ensures a superior driving experience. The Borgward BX7 AWD T-GDI sprints to 100 km/h in less than ten seconds and has a top speed of more than 200 km/h.

The new conventionally powered Borgward SUV boasts the most advanced all-wheel drive system available today. Together with specialists from the renowned supplier company BorgWarner, which has already designed all-wheel drive systems for industry competitors such as BMW and Audi, engineers from Borgward adapted the BorgWarner GenV fully variable all-wheel drive system with an electronically controlled multiple plate clutch. "Our ultramodern and innovative AWD drive train offers a high level of traction reserve, which means outstanding agility and the highest degree of safety are guaranteed on all surfaces", is how Bernd Kircher, Chief Engineer of the development team in Stuttgart, describes the benefits of the fully automated "torque-on-demand" drive system. In line with the driving situation and road surface conditions, the Borgward all-wheel drive system optimally distributes torque to the front and rear axles in order to ensure the best possible traction in the given situation.