The BMW X7 is coming to take on the Mercedes-Benz
GLS and Range Rover, but nobody outside the company knows exactly what it will
look like.
Whether these CGIs are close to reality is a good
question, the answer of which should come next month, when the Germans are
expected to preview their new flagship SUV with a concept, at the 2017
Frankfurt Motor Show.
As far as the final production variant goes, this
should hit the market towards the end of 2018, underpinned by the CLAR architecture,
which is shared with the new 5- and 7-Series, and will eventually be adopted by
the next generation of the 3-Series and X5.
Inside its long body it will have seating for up to
7 occupants in three rows, and these should make it attractive for both Chinese
and American consumers. The engine
lineup will include a host of gasoline and diesel units, possibly joined by a
plug-in hybrid. An M Performance model is also believed to be on the table,
powered by the new twin-turbo V8 engine that sits under the hood of the new M5.