SPIED + VIDEO: LARGE And In CHARGE, The BMW X7 Tackles The 'Ring

SPIED + VIDEO: LARGE And In CHARGE, The BMW X7 Tackles The 'Ring
Who said that the Germans don't have a sense of humor?

After seeing the latest spy clip coming from the world famous Nürburgring, we're pretty confident that you'll find some comedy in this post this morning. That's because the engineering/R&D team from the Bavarian automaker was spotted taking the all-new X7 around the track.

While we certainly understand that BMW is a marque all about delivering a performance-oriented driving experience, we're also pretty confident a seven-seat sport-utility vehicle does not need to drive like a two-door auto. And if you're expecting that you're setting yourself up for some mismatch expectations.

Having said that, the BMW team is doing what it has to do to deliver a differentiated product in a rather crowded marketplace. Just think: BMW is chasing after the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, Land Rover Range Rover, Cadillac Escalade and others. I am not sure there's necessarily a right or wrong approach as every manufacturer slices their product a different way.

Check out the all-new BMW X7 undergoing testing, below.


This video features the 2018 BMW X7

The X7’s engine lineup is expected to closely mirror that of the 7-series sedan, with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six making about 320 horsepower serving as the entry-level engine in the X7 40i and a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 with about 445 horsepower to top off the range in the X7 50i. Diesel and gasoline-electric hybrid models also are expected, while a V-12 model theoretically would be easy to produce for markets like Russia (okay, the United States, too). If an Alpina-tuned X7 becomes a thing, however, we don’t anticipate it will reach our shores.




MDarringerMDarringer - 7/12/2017 8:25:38 AM
0 Boost
The X7 cannot get to dealers fast enough. It would not surprise me if it handily outsells the 7 Series.


ilovecar2015ilovecar2015 - 7/12/2017 9:52:42 AM
+2 Boost
Why would it surprised you? Full size SUVs are priced lower than full size sedans. And this is an SUV market, GLS has been outsold S-Class, Q7 outsold A8 etc...


jeffgalljeffgall - 7/12/2017 10:38:51 AM
-1 Boost
Q7 is more of an A6 counterpart.


cidflekkencidflekken - 7/12/2017 2:44:42 PM
0 Boost
Both the GLS and Q7 start almost $40k lower than the S-Class or A8. You can't make a direct comparison on those sales differences.


dumpstydumpsty - 7/12/2017 2:51:06 PM
+1 Boost
cidflekke:

But you can make a "basic" comparison with year-to-year sales. Aren't even those larger SUVs selling better than the flagship sedans?


dumpstydumpsty - 7/12/2017 2:53:47 PM
+1 Boost
The engine note - as the mule exits the curve - wow. Was that the TT-V8? Sounds good.


carloslassitercarloslassiter - 7/12/2017 2:54:50 PM
+1 Boost
Let the record reflect that I agree with MDarringer.

I will also say that whatever the appeal of driving these things is, it is lost on me.

I was testing a Q5 the other day as my new daily driver and about 3 blocks in I told the salesman it wasn't for me. Too big, too high, too everything. I guess if I was hauling 6 adults or delivering furniture it would make sense, but driving myself around? Um, no.


MDarringerMDarringer - 7/12/2017 8:50:45 PM
0 Boost
Arguably Cadillac is ahead of the game with the Escalade being their range topper. The way forward for Jaguar would be to do an XJ level SUV. With the 7 Series floundering in the wake of the unstoppable S Class, BMW has to get this right. The Mercedes GLS is already great and will only get greater.

The range topper is no longer a sedan.


jeffgalljeffgall - 7/12/2017 9:24:58 PM
+2 Boost
A Q5 is too big? How small do you want to go? And where are you putting 6 adults in a 5 seater?


dumpstydumpsty - 7/14/2017 1:08:18 PM
+1 Boost
jeffgall:

Right. Exactly. The Q5 is a (smaller) mid-size CUV. Driver height isn't much higher than the comparable sedan/wagon. Maybe carloslassiter is a person of smaller stature?

...so the GL & X5 & Q7 are absolute behemoths, huh. lol.


FirewombatFirewombat - 7/12/2017 3:20:01 PM
+2 Boost
@cidflekken The GLS starts at $27k less than the S-Class, the Q7 is over $46k less than the S-Class.

@jeffgall is correct, the Q7 is an A6 counterpart. On price, specification, and size the Q7 competes with the GLE and X5.

I don't think Mercedes is confident with the pricing of the GLS because the current model simply isn't an S-class SUV in execution. Just the looking at the interiors will show you that. If that were the casse there would be a bigger jump in cost going from a GLE to GLS ($17k jump), as compare to the jump in cost between the E-Class and a S-Class ($44k jump)

The cheaper purchase price of the GLS does definitely help sales, especially for folks that feel like their getting something like a S-Class SUV, which I unfortunately don't think is the case. The starting price of the S-Class is also quite a but higher than similar cars from its two main rivals so comparing sales can be tricky.


dumpstydumpsty - 7/14/2017 1:12:11 PM
+1 Boost
Isn't the current GLS getting old - design-wise? We haven't seen the interior get much of a luxurious update like the S-class has in these past years. If M-B is staying ahead of the industry, that's what they should be working on for the 2018MY version.


carloslassitercarloslassiter - 7/13/2017 5:08:41 PM
+1 Boost
"A Q5 is too big? How small do you want to go? And where are you putting 6 adults in a 5 seater?"

How small? Hmmm - how about a car?

And my 6 adults comment was referring to this new X7 monstrosity.


dumpstydumpsty - 7/14/2017 1:15:55 PM
+1 Boost
If you had 5 adults in the Q5, that would probably 1 too many for an overall comfortable trip for everyone. Furniture? ...maybe end-tables or a few chairs. I'm thinking your expectations - for a CUV that size - is a bit of an overshot.


david999david999 - 7/15/2017 1:48:42 PM
+1 Boost
I would take a Lexus LX any day of the week
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