Production of the first pre-production models of the new BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle has begun at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina. The production car will be unveiled at the end of 2018, but prior to this, BMW’s largest SUV will undergo various tests under partially extreme conditions.

Knudt Flor, head of the BMW Group Spartanburg plant: “We are proud to produce the BMW X7 here in Spartanburg, the home of our X models. This is a very special vehicle and our employees are looking forward to yet a further member of the X family. Together with the BMW X7, a total of five BMW X models will be exported from Spartanburg to all four corners of the globe.”

The BMW X7 pre-production models already use the same assembly line as the BMW X5 and BMW X6 production models. The pre-production models built at the BMW Group Spartanburg plant are handed over to development department specialists, who require them for homologation, registration as well as for diverse testing purposes such as endurance tests and test drives under extreme conditions in the desert regions of Death Valley or on the ice and snow covered slopes of Scandinavia.

The pre-production model is fitted with its camouflage wrap while still at the plant. The conspicuous striped patterns are designed to help conceal the new SAV’s final look as far as possible.

Designed to compete with cars like the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class and Land Rover Autobiography, the BMW X7 will be a large, three-row luxury SUV. It will also serve as the brand’s luxury flagship, with luxury and technology at 7 Series levels and higher.