BMW
continues its product expansion with the X7. The flagship SUV, which will sit
alongside the 7-Series, is expected to debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show
this November, according to Autocar.
Previewed by a concept in 2017, the new BMW X7 has
been developed with the American and Chinese markets in mind. However, it will
go on sale in Europe too, where it will compete against the likes of the Range
Rover and Mercedes-Benz GLS. Prototypes are already testing on public roads,
and they have been put together at the Spartanburg plant, in South Carolina.
This is where the final production models will be assembled as well.
The BMW X7 will be offered with
traditional internal combustion engines. The list will reportedly include six-
and eight-cylinder petrol and diesel units, alongside the 4.4-liter V8 that’s
currently used in the X6 xDrive50i.
An M Performance model, probably named X7
xDriveM60i, is also on the cards, but a full-blown X7 M is unlikely, given its
positioning against other luxury SUVs. Later on, a plug-in hybrid powertrain
should join the lineup, offering a zero-emission range of up to 100 km.
An exact launch date is unknown, but BMW will
probably start taking orders for the X7 in the United States at the end of the
year, or in early 2019, while in selected European markets -UK included- it
should go on sale next February.
Cr : Carscoops
