BMW has announced details of its upgraded X7 SUV, now with mild-hybrid assistance across all three engine options and a number of exterior and interior updates to keep it in its position at the top of the BMW tree.
As well as styling tweaks and a few more creature comforts inside, there's now an M model fitted with a twin-turbo V8 engine developing 530hp in conjunction with an electric motor.
Light restyle
The bulk of the styling changes come at the front with a revised split-level lighting set-up. Above the recessed LED matrix headlamps sit a pair of slim daytime running lights all framing the lightly restyled grille - now featuring subtly-painted two-tone bars. For those that want to draw even more attention to the grille, there's an option (standard on the V8 model) for back-lit illumination, activated when one of the doors is opened. This can be manually turned off.
The rear lights too have seen work with the revised thin taillights now enclosed under one glass structure stretching the width of the tailgate, giving a light-bar-like effect.
Buyers can option wheels on the new X7 up to 23 inches in diameter, the largest ever factory-fitted on a BMW, though the standard wheel size on the model is still 20 inches.
Curved Display
For the first time, the X7 gets the Curved Display digital dashboard found elsewhere in the BMW range including in the electric iX. This combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14.9-inch central multimedia screen all made from non-reflective glass, removing the need to shade it with a binnacle or cowl and making it look that bit more minimalist.
Speaking of minimalism, the addition of the Curved Display has removed some of the hard buttons, relegating them to screens, leaving the cabin a little less cluttered. The new system of screens, running the latest version of BMW's operating system, can be operated by touch, voice control or, where specified, gesture control. Overall, the rest of the cabin has been given a little lift and update with new air vents and lighting, with heated front seats and the panoramic glass roof now standard across the range. Borrowing an idea from Rolls-Royce, there's the option to illuminate the glass roof at night with LED lighting giving the impression of a twinkling starlit sky.
A seven-seater as standard, there's also the option of replacing the rear bench seat with a pair of more comfortable chairs with integrated armrests, turning the X7 into a six-seater, but making things slightly more pleasant for those in the rear. The operation of all seats (sliding and folding down the backrests) is electronic and via three control panels, one convenient to the driver, another inside one of the rear doors and the last inside the 326-litre boot, accessed by the electronically-opening split tailgate. Folding down the backrests on both the second and third row of seats opens up a commodious 2,120 litres of space.
Even though there's a high level of spec as standard, buyers can upgrade further with the Comfort Pack, which brings heated seating to all six or seven seats, a heated steering wheel and front armrests as well as a "thermo" function to keep drinks in the cupholders hot or cold as required.
Straight-six or V8
The other big news for the upgraded X7 is the hybrid-assisted range of engines starting with the xDrive40i model and its new 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged engine. Paired with the hybrid system, this powertrain produces 380hp and is capable of a small amount of electric-only running at very low speeds. The similar diesel option in the xDrive40d (3.0-litre, six-cylinder, turbocharged) manages to produce 352hp though with a predictably higher torque figure of 720Nm than the petrol version.
The headline model is the M60i xDrive, which is fitted with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. Coupled to the hybrid system, this develops 530hp, meaning a 0-100km/h dash in 4.7 seconds. BMW's Motorsport division has sprinkled the M60i not just with more power but with sharper dynamics thanks to a stiffer suspension and a number of other standard options such as four-piston front disc brakes and active roll stabilisation to keep everything in check. Buyers who'd like those improved road manners but who can do without the V8 or its price-tag can tick the box for the M Sport Pro package to get the upgrades fitted to six-cylinder models for an extra €5,500.
Whether six-cylinder or V8, drive goes to all four wheels through a new eight-speed Steptronic transmission, though biased so that the majority of that power goes to the rear.
How much?
Even with the updated X7's launch due in August, it's entirely possible that due to the current chip shortage affecting the car industry, Irish deliveries may not begin until some time later, possibly even into 2023. Pricing has been announced though, starting from €150,855 for the X7 xDrive40d and €151,935 for the xDrive40i. The full-fat V8 M60i starts from €192,565.