Since Land Rover was integrated into the BMW Group, the German manufacturer dreamed of a model that competes with the Range Rover, the quintessential all-terrain sold in almost every market in the world. SUVs have become the preferred model for many clients in all segments and over time, the size requirements have increased as well. In China, the Range Rover is a huge seller, in the U.S., Mercedes GL is a money maker for the Germans, while the Audi Q7 helps Ingolstadt increase their sales numbers every year. Soon we will see a Bentley SUV as well. The market is ready for big, premium SUVs and BMW will follow suit in 2018 with the launch of the X7, their first true seven-seater SUV.

According to sources, BMW and Rolls Royce have been working on two SUVs for two years. In 2013, when world plunged into a major economic crisis, BMW felt it was not the time to announce the production of both models, but they were being developed, trying on different systems, running on various engines and materials were assessed for chassis and bodies. The X7 even received the internal codename F17.

Today, the BMW X7 is known as G07 and its launch is scheduled for 2018 with an average annual production of 45,000 units. The base version will cost around 130,000 euros.

Next month’s Shanghai Auto Show might be the host of an X7 Vision Concept.

We also know that BMW has not wasted any time in the last two years. In this time, BMW has redesigned the entire rear wheel drive platform modular “35up” for 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Series, as well as for the X3, X4, X5 and X6, and of course the 7.  The “35up” name has also been replaced by HPLC (Cluster Architecture), and will be first seen in the new 7 Series, with lots of aluminum, high strength steel , magnesium and carbon reinforced plastic CFRP, which will mean a significant reduction of 200 kg in the case of the sedan.

The BMW X7 will feature the suspension and running gear of the new X5 and X6, although the flagship X could also sell a version with rear-wheel drive as well as intelligent xDrive. The range of engines will vary from TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder and V8 gasoline and diesel, to a plug-in hybrid version. The top model will be a V12, which will mean being the first production model of the X range with an engine of this type.

Inside, the BMW X7 will be the most luxurious model of the brand, even more than a 7 Series, the same level as the reference model and main rival: the Range Rover, and with room for seven passengers and a large volume boot.

[Source: Motor.es]