BMW X7: 7 Series SUV

Author: Sudhanshu Raghav

BMW's new flagship SUV X7 is here and it is ready to dominate the roads of SUV  loving country INDIA.

Design:

Exterior:

The dimensions of this car can make the offerings from competition looks smaller. NO, this car is not stretched out X5, the X7 with completely new design language having high bonnet line , subtle side profile with wheelbase enough to accomodate a small passenger vehicle and rear with new generation LED tail lamps and chrome linings all over the places. 

The talking point of this car has to be the grille just like the new 7 Series . In case of X7 considering the size of the car , this massive grille certainly blends in pretty well and looks perfect . The sleek headlamps with blue inserts in them , newly designed day time runnings lights and laser technology (with 600m range) gives this car aggressive look. Chrome inserts on the bumper, window linings and on side profile running from front wheel arch to the rear tyre section adds appeal to this car.



Interior:

Stepping inside the X7 and you would notice how dashboard is similar to the new gen X5. The driver focussed instrument cluster , metal linings running one end to the other and  shiny wooden insert on the left side of dash looks quite bold and premium. Chunky three spoke steering wheel with multiple function buttons inspires confident while holding it and feels right sized. The quality of materials is top notch inside . The car comes with BMW's latest iDrive system , voice assistant and hexagonal digital dials with tachometer running counter-clockwise. Six-seat configuration of this car offers captain seats in the middle row which takes comfort to the next level for the passengers. The seats of the car can be adjusted electrically for recline and forward and backward movement to find comfortable seating position but they do not comes with ventilation and massage functions as in the case of its competition Volvo XC90. The Dual-pane panaromic sunroof  gives airy feel in this car 
while the electric blinds on the side windows helps tackle sunny days. The seats on the last row can accomodate tall passengers considering the length of this car and they have generous headroom and legroom .

Driving:

The X7 comes with 40i petrol having 3.0 litre straight-six engine producing 340 bhp and the 30d, 3.0 diesel producing  265bhp making the 0-100kph run in 7.0 seconds making it seriously fast . The X7 M50d has the same engine as in X7 30d but with 4 turbochargers. Two low pressure and two high pressure turbos. This one produces 400hp  power and 760 Nm of Torque.

The handling of this car is very precise and makes you confident on turns with minimal body roll considering the height and weight of 2,460kg. The car absorbs anything thrown on its way without losing the pace or movement in the cabin. By raising the height of this car by 40mm it can easily take biggest of potholes or uneven surface of the road with ease.The all-wheel drive and air suspension with damper control is standard in this car.
Parking this monster is hectic and can only be done with the view coming from number of cameras on the screen.


Dimensions:

Length(mm)                                             5151mm

Width(mm)                                              2000mm

Height(mm)                                             1805mm

Wheelbase(mm)                                       3105mm

Ground Clearance(mm)                           221mm

Boot capacity(Litres)                               326 litres
                                                                 
                                                                 2120 litres (with rear seats down)

Competition:

Mercedes GLS Class, Audi Q7 and  Volvo XC90.
 

Image source: Google and BMW Official...