BMW’s upcoming flagship SUV, the soon-to-be-released BMW X7, is almost here. Up until now, we’ve seen a concept car version of it, which was almost unanimously hated, and we’ve seen several spy photos. So we have a decent idea of what it will look like on the outside. However, we hadn’t seen any photos of the X7’s interior. Until today that is, as new spy photos of its interior have just been released. (We don’t own them but check them out here)
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The BMW X7 is designed to be the most luxurious, most premium and most high-tech SUV in BMW’s lineup. It’s the flagship, the one that best represents what the brand can do in that segment. So the X7 needs to be the uber-ist of all of BMW’s uber SUVs. On the inside, at least, it seems as if the X7 is off to a good start.
First, you notice the steering wheel, which is a pretty typical modern BMW steering wheel. It’s the same one you’ll find on any modern 5 Series, 6 Series GT or 7 Series. It looks good and it’s nice to hold but it’s nothing new. Then, you notice the center console and all of its newness. For starters, the shift lever is new and is the same one we’ve seen on the BMW M5, as well as the upcoming 8 Series and 3 Series. So it seems to be the new lever BMW is going forward with. It looks good, even if it looks a bit like an inappropriate part of a robot.
Next to that shift lever, you’ll see the new iDrive controller that’s also been spotted on the 8 Series and 3 Series, which features a knurled aluminum surround and looks much more premium than the current plastic piece. Surrounding that new controller seems to be the usual bevy of redundant iDrive buttons but it’s what’s below that which interests us. Underneath the iDrive controller are two aluminum switches, the left of which controls something I can’t read but the right one seems to control the car’s ride height, which would indicate that this BMW X7 has adjustable air suspension. That’s pretty cool. Very Range Rover-like.
Now, you if you look from the center stack, you’ll notice a new layout for the HVAC controls. In between the main two dash vents there is a very small little screen, which I’m assuming houses the HVAC info. Underneath those, there are a bunch of HVAC buttons, such as fan speed, temperature and heated seat controls. What’s odd, though, is that the little screen between the vents seems rather small to house all of that information without getting too muddled. So maybe some of it will be displayed on the iDrive screen, which actually doesn’t look much different than any current Bimmers’.
Ahead of the steering wheel lies the same new digital instrument panel as we’ve seen on every other upcoming BMW. From what we’ve seen, it looks very cool and we can’t wait to test it out.
All in all, though, this new X7 seems to have some new features but doesn’t seem radically new and we’re not sure how well those new HVAC controls are going to work. We’re going to have to see the final product to actually pass judgement.
[Source: Autoblog]
I’m more interested in the outside shots, it’s the first time we get that clear of a glance of the M Sport model’s lines i think and i gotta admit, that looks pretty good ! I don’t know if it’s the ride height that’s lower or the smaller wheels but here the car looks much better proportioned and not that big.
It looks a bit tall from the rear but for a car of that segment it’s surprisingly dynamic looking
Every time I see a shot, more and more camo comes off! Awesome looking vehicle so far. Not sure about the gear knob.
I can already say for sure that the interior will not be something spectactular to watch. A bit disappointed! But hopefully the new digital instrument cluster will weigh up for it
? the interior is mostly covered up so you cant even say that
I already got an idea of how it will look by comparing the interior of the concept. Center console design is BMW`s biggest weakness, even VW has nailed the dash design with the new Touareg (just design though not quality).
I know it’s silly and I’m repeating. But no aluminum buttons again!…
Gotta remember that this is still a test mule… and that if the 7 series (part of BMW’s new luxury line) has aluminum bottons, then so will this car and the 8 series.
Looks like the same boring dashboard as every other BMW with that stupid sticking up tablet.
Agreed
I have had 2015 X5 50 @ $86k and I have a 2016 750 @ $120k (about my 40th bimmer, I only mention numbers to make my point) with that CHEAP looking tablet sticking out. It’s absolutely inelegant. I’m NOT alone in my opinion. I am so disappointed that they have continued it on the newly designed cars. Especially when they are doing top to bottom redo for X5 and designing the X7 to match yet end up with same tabet look. It’s really unbelievable and so disappointing. This is really the best they can do? Really?
Benz looks integrated in their new design language. They’ve decided to abandon the tablet look and the glued on Ipad look I still have in my 2018 GLE. All the newly designed Benz’s have they side by side screens integrated into the dash. They listened to their customers and understand elegance better.
Munich is deaf to complaints and absolutely don’t understand real elegance. I’ll still buy the X7 but I’m still very disappointed they couldn’t come up with better designs. I could send them several sketches. Hell my 2011 750 screen integration was significantly more elegant
Benz & Volvo get it.
Munich not so much
I have just ordered 10 of these big monsters with 24inch wheels.
It’s time to put that gear lever behind the wheel like Mercedes have done forever now. The BMW i3 too. Use that space for storage or something.