All Wheel Drive BMW X7 To Go Into Production In 2016 As Top Of The Line Model

The X7 will be the biggest SUV ever produced by BMW. It will go into production in 2016 in its Spartanburg plant in North America.

Underpinning the X7 is an extended version of the architecture that forms the basis of the X5 and X6 models that are also built in the Spartanburg plant.

The big new SUV is set to be a direct rival to the Mercedes-Benz GL, its relationship to the X5 the same as the GL’s is to the smaller ML on which it is based.

The X7 is set to be a seven-seater with a proper third row of seats, thanks to a longer wheelbase and extended rear overhang when compared to the X5.
 

bnilhome - 3/28/2014 4:49:00 PM

+3 Boost

Didn't we just have a thread discussing this new X7? I still agree with what many said in the other discussion that BMW needs to rework its design on its SUVs. The front is way to lean and car-like to match the proportions of the rest of the SUV. I think BMW should stick with its sedans (3, 5, and 7 series specifically).

cidflekken - 3/28/2014 6:36:58 PM

+3 Boost

BMW already builds the LEAST ATTRACTIVE SUVs on the market. Take away the kidney grille and the roundel, and they ALL are really not that well designed. Now we're going to get a larger version of the ugliness. Great.

rumnyc - 3/29/2014 8:39:35 AM

+1 Boost

i just saw the new x5 with m sport, and it is probably one of the best looking SUVs in person. I didn't like it in the pics, but its beautiful and looks fantastic in person.

dumpsty - 3/31/2014 11:32:52 AM

-1 Boost

I agree with rumnyc. But BMW had had issues with SUV exterior proportions in its past SUVs - remember the 1st X3?

And it would be nice to have a non-M version SUV that looks relatively descent on the outside. I only hope that this new X7 won't just be an extended X5 - remember the GM extended version midsize SUVs? Weird. Hopefully the X7 is about the size of a GL with more sport, of course.

2ndbimmer - 3/29/2014 10:06:44 AM

-2 Boost

I think you 2 are the only 2 people who have disliked the styling of the X5. It is great and I do plan on buying one. It drives better than any other SUV on the market. I know because I ahve driven everything, I used to be in the car business.
I used to work at a dealer that owned all high end brands, Porsche, MB, Audi, Infiniti. None of these vehicles even come close.

bnilhome - 3/29/2014 6:59:24 PM

+2 Boost

I've heard many on here and in other forums comment on the BMW SUV designs. BMW is simply missing the mark on its SUVs. They are trying to fit their sedan design into an SUV, and not modifying the proportions enough to pull it off. Also, I have driven many high-end SUVs (outside of the Cayenne), and I don't believe that the BMW stands out. The MDX drives better than the MB, Audi, and Infiniti, and is on par with the X5 driving experience.

clams - 3/31/2014 2:06:16 PM

-2 Boost

MDX is the SUV you buy when you truly can't afford luxury. No? Price it the same as the competition and see how well it does.

bnilhome - 4/1/2014 9:02:58 AM

0 Boost

Wow, this just goes to show that some people on here will pay anything for a label. LOL. I honestly can't believe you just made such a ridiculous comment, that a vehicle has to be priced as high as a BMW (or Mercedes for that matter) to be deemed "true luxury." You are a BMW marketing director's dream.

clams - 4/1/2014 3:04:33 PM

+1 Boost

Oh, so when a "true luxury" company doesn't even have a competing flagship, cuts corners on quality and undercuts the competition by almost $6-10 grand depending on models....it's because they don't need the extra money??! Face it, Acura coasts on their perceievd dependability, they have no performance line, no flagship, no cabrio....all things the other "true luxury" companies offer.

clams - 4/1/2014 3:30:59 PM

+1 Boost

*perceived

bnilhome - 4/1/2014 5:22:34 PM

+1 Boost

Clams-You are so off base here it's not even funny. The one thing Acura is often criticized for is the design of its vehicles, but when it comes to quality and dependability, its always at or near the top when it comes to luxury automakers (just as Honda does with mainstream manufacturers). Please show me some historical trends (not just a single survey) showing that BMW or Mercedes are outperforming Acura when it comes to dependability/reliability or quality.

chewy - 3/30/2014 7:51:24 PM

+1 Boost

The X5 isn't as bad as the first pics made it look, still not as aggressive as the last one though.

dumpsty - 3/31/2014 11:34:52 AM

+1 Boost

So...btw...is BMW planning to show X7 concepts before initial production? We know they want a larger SUV above the X5/X6 to pull in the high-end family consumers. When are planning to debut this thing?