BMW 7: Bavarians now have their own giant crossover!

The photo is taken from the site: https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/x-models/x7/sports-activity-vehicle/overview.html

After several years of rumors, the flagship BMW X7 is completely declassified.

The way of "X 7" from the stage of rumors to the conveyor machine was very long. During the summer of 2008 (ten years ago!) the media managed to write about the idea of a new crossover and its denial from the manufacturer itself. Again they started talking about the BMW X7 in 2012. The machine flashed on spy photos, relying on the brand design of those times, its renders were painted by artists in attempts to guess the final look of the car. But before becoming a production car, six more years have passed.

BMW X7 just had to appear in one of the most successful premium brands in the world. Its "best frenemies" from the Daimler concern are preparing to present the third generation of the giant Mercedes GL/GLS. The British have a Range Rover, for greater solidity, produced even in an exclusive long-wheelbase version. And this is not to mention the expensive "Japanese" (Lexus, Infiniti, Acura), which initially focused on the American system of values. Now the representative of Munich also joins the fight. Given its technical level, opponents will have a hard time.

Off-road X7 has 202.8 in. from its nose to its tail. This is 9 in. more than the new BMW X5 has (also, by the way, rather big and based on the same CLAR platform), and is 2.1 in. higher than the BMW 7-Series. Though, the elongated sedan still remains larger: 206.2 in. But the width of X7 has no peers. Moreover, the newcomer also surpasses the Mercedes GLS and even the Cadillac Escalade in length!

Internal volume with such input data should be impressive. BMW claims a luggage compartment volume of 326 liters with a three-row interior layout, 750 liters with two rows and 2120 liters in a fully “freight” configuration. The leaf of the fifth door, as in BMW X5, is divided horizontally into two parts. To facilitate loading, there is an electric door with contactless operation, electric folding seats and the function of "squatting" of the stern on the air suspension.

"X5" only now, in its fourth generation, has received air suspension on all four wheels. But in the basic version, the model is still supplied with springs. BMW X7 has a higher status, and therefore has a pneumatic "circle" even in the most modest configuration. The body height adjustment range is 3.1 in. And you can change the settings not only by toggle switch in the cabin, but also using an advanced keychain with an LCD display.

All X7 cars have electronically controlled shock absorbers. Upon request for the off-road vehicle, a rear axle thruster and an even more advanced suspension will be installed, which adapts to the road conditions, based on data from the camera behind the windshield and navigation.

In general, outside the BMW X7 is decorated like all the latest models of the brand: no revelations. But a few nuances are still noticeable. The branded "nostrils" of the radiator grill have grown to giant sizes, and the central bridge between them has practically disappeared. Finally, the diameter of wheels even in its "basic" version is 20 inches! And for a fee a car will be provided with the 21 or 22 inches wheels.

The salon is seven-seater by default, but at the request of the client, a solid sofa of the middle row will be replaced by two separate chairs with electric drives and other amenities. In this version of the BMW X7 with a wheelbase of 122 in., it can be used as an executive car. Moreover, the rear passengers have their own multimedia system tablets, and the climate control in the car has at least four zones.

There are adaptive LED headlights, a digital instrument cluster, a central display with a diagonal of 12.3 inches on the BMW 7.0 operating system with a voice assistant and updates online.

Of course, no one will use X7 as a serious SUV. Still, the Bavarians offer an optional Off-Road package. It implies the presence of steel bottom protection, electronic locking rear differential and four additional off-road modes in the system of driving settings choice. They are called xSand, xGravel, xRocks and xSnow and are designed to ride on sand, gravel, stones and snow, respectively. Of course, there will be an M-package with more aggressive bumpers and other wheels.