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.
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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.
Being real generous with their pics. I haven’t seen this level of reveal so long before it goes official. This can only mean one thing… imminent revealing. End of 2018 now seems so far away.
Agreed, this is so unusual. The only explanation is that they wanna give people time to get used to the X7 design.
Very plausible. But, after seeing these photos, I don’t think they need to do that… this production version looks absolutely gorgeous. Those headlights are stunning.
Agreed. I need those sleek headlights on a two door roadster!
i love this car the front is cool
did u see the gear shifter? its like the swaroski crystal one
The production design looks much more cohesive than the Concept X7. This is a very good thing.
Yes. Maybe we ll have a good surprise with this regular x7…. im afraid it will be the opposite with the 8 series : the concept will be very more beautiful than the production one… wait and see !
right Laurent
but you know this is BMW we can expact ewerything
Interesting, as pre-production models began assembly prior to Thanksgiving 2017 and have been seen on the roads nearly the factory in full camouflage.
Wow they basically unveiled the car. That Auto Bild render was really accurate, just the car seems to have less shiny bits (which is good). It’s not as good looking as an X5 but not quite as bad as the concept…
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i like it a lot
My thoughts exactly
Only means good news for the 8 Series and Z4 if they are sticking with the majority of the concept design
did u see the gear shifter? its like the swaroski crystal one :P
BEAST
It looks really good! I know I’m in the minority by thinking that the concept was pretty good, already…but it looks like they fixed a lot of the awkward details on the way from design to production…if the final finished product looks like what these pics suggest, it will be a great looking vehicle. I can’t wait to see more of the interior.
I’m trying to make sense of photo 19. Clearly there are the heat shields for the exhaust but there is too much room there to remain empty. I would expect a well for either fold flat third row or spare tire but it looks empty. The fuel tank is forward of the axel under where the second row seats are.
Other than that, it’s looking promising. The fit and finish looks iffy in spots (rear bumper reflector near the exhaust tip) and I will pass on the faceted interior bits (shifter and iDrive controller). There are a few buttons in front that are intriguing.
So that front end is actually going to be a reality !!
Lets see how much more palatable this design becomes withe the passage of time.
The air breather hockey stick that was at a 90-degree angle on the concept has been integrated more elegantly into the wheel arch. This detail alone makes the design much more cohesive compared to the concept. I have a feeling this is a design that will grow on you. I will never consider it a great design, but once the shock has worn off i think most people will be okay with the XL-sized grills.
I was somewhat concerned with the appearance based on tbe concept, but I think it looks good from what we can see, it looks as of it will be like an X5 with straighter lines, and a little more mature look from the side, and then some aggressive design elements, it also seems that it will have an interior design like the concept based on the new shifter and buttons (like the start/stop) relocated to the console, so I must say i can’t wait to see this, AND EVEN BETTER it means that the upcoming z4 and 8 series should look close to concept
Funny how it looks good with the camo on, I shudder to think how it will look when they come off.
I would not be surprised if Volvo sues BMW for copying its design. Just look at the similarities.
It is disappointing that BMW no longer leads on design and has to copy others.
You mean how the profile of the Volvo looks like the X5? /sarcasm
I think so too. Volvo must be fuming and Range Rover laughing at this design.
Since Volvo only produce 4 cyl. they are no competition. Haven’t they just been recycling their own designs for years? BMW’s X SAV designs are consistent thru the range, X1 to X7.
How many times do I have to tell you to not be silly?
Since your opinion is irrelevant?
None.
You are a good example of all that has gone wrong on this planet since the ice age.
And you are proof of all that has gone wrong since trolls wandered out from under bridges & discovered keyboards.
You should inform your doctor of your problems; perhaps they can change your medication. Only trying to help.
This is BMWblog.
Nothing to do with you.
Go away.
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It’s incredible that they show so much of the car way before it’s supposed to be released! I think it looks quite good, as good as such a large SUV can look basically. WAAAAAY better than the Merc GLS, although maybe not as good as the Range Rover it competes with. Looking forward to it. :)
Range Rover is familiar, for decades. X7 is something new. Maybe BMW will shake things up.
Yes, shake things like you up.
Like you were shaken as an infant.
Never to recover.
At least, I was never thrown from the balcony like you were.
Witless.
Dull.
You just don’t remember landing on your head.