Two BMW Group vehicles that will help define the upper end of automotive luxury were seen testing in Sweden earlier this winter. The BMW X7 will not only be the biggest Sports Activity Vehicle BMW has ever made, but it may also become the most luxurious. The other BMW Group sedan seen mushing through the Scandinavian snow was the next-generation Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Reports out of Munich predict two versions of the X7 that will be built at BMW Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina possibly starting next year. One type will seat up to seven passengers in three rows and contain appointments similar to the BMW X5—only better, while another version will have just four seats but will rival the BMW 7 Series in its technology, comfort, and premium features.
The X7 will be available with an assortment of powerplants. Inline sixes and V8s will be available, although BMW has given no clues as to what engine choices will be available on this side of the Atlantic. We can almost be certain that there will be an iPerformance plug-in hybrid version similar to the X5 40e. There most likely will be a diesel option as well, but BMW is probably wrestling with the notion of brining a diesel X7 to the U.S. market. After all, they did opt out of a diesel-powered 7 Series for the U.S. when the G11/G12 was introduced; however, an X7 with a diesel would make a pretty good tow vehicle.
We would expect a BMW SAV with xDrive to do well in the snow—even a really big one like the X7. This video shows how it did. We think the test driver was being overly cautious; but then, we don't know what his test parameters were.
[Video and photo courtesy of Motor1.com via Auto World News.]
Many of us who grew up in snow country would love to get our hands on the preproduction X7s—or any BMW—on BMW's winter proving grounds in Sweden. Maybe the next BMW Performance Center in the U.S. should be in North Dakota and only open between November and March.
Then again, it's probably best that BMW enthusiasts not be given the keys to test BMWs in the snow and ice; otherwise, we might be tempted to recreate this recent BMW teaser starring the next-generation BMW X3.
[Video and courtesy of BMW AG.]
Meanwhile, the folks at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars obviously believe some of their masterpieces may end up being driven on snow- or ice-covered roads—probably on the way to ski trips in Courcheval or St. Moritz or Aspen. In any event, cars with the highest luxury pedigrees must be able to handle almost any conditions, so the next-generation Rolls-Royce Phantom was seen taking its turn at the BMW Group's test facilities near the Arctic Circle.
In a world going through Phantom withdrawal since the end of the last generation's production in January, this spy video is a welcome sight. Sure, the new Phantom VIII appears to be a little boxy, but it is a Rolls, after all. Some reports have the new Phantom being ready for prime time as early as late 2017 with availability possible in 2018. Start saving now.
The next Phantom will share some components with BMW vehicles but the Rolls will be a separate and distinct vehicle and will not share a chassis with any BMW model. Even though a Rolls may be a study in excess to some, this Phantom will be more efficient, weigh less, and be more technologically advanced than any Rolls-Royce that came before it.
And we're fairly certain it will have an excellent engine; something along the lines of a big, smooth V12 designed by Germans and built somewhere in the vicinity of Munich.
Here is a Phantom test vehicle frolicking in the snow. Yes, we would like to be this test driver, too.—Scott Blazey
[Video and photo courtesy of Motor1.com.]
