Yet again BMW is teasing us with a concept version of a vehicle scheduled for production in the not-too-distant future. The BMW Concept X7 iPerformance will make its world debut at the Frankfurt International Auto Show next week as a taste of some of the design elements we might see when the production X7 arrives, probably in 2018 as a 2019 model. The words that probably best sum up the Concept X7 iPerformance? Big and luxurious.
Test versions of the X7 have been spotted so we kind of knew what it might look like, except for the camouflage covering and the fake body panels. The Concept X7 iPerformance makes more clear the vehicle's size and general design lines. Given BMW's commitment to electromobility, it is not a surprise that it will premiere the concept as a plug-in hybrid version of what will become BMW's largest production vehicle and the new flagship luxury X model.
Early reports out of Munich have the production X7 coming in two versions: a three-row, seven seater that would appeal to families, and a four-seat super-luxury model that might cause people to think twice before spending much more on a Bentayga. The Concept X7 iPerformance splits the difference with three rows and six very luxurious seats.
While the BMW X5 and smaller X vehicles are quite comfortable, they do not embody the same level of luxury found in BMW's flagship 7 Series Sedans. The Concept X7 brings the company's newly restated understanding of luxury to its X family of vehicles
The BMW X7 has a prominent place in BMW's Number One > Next strategy and is intended to bump up sales numbers and profits from luxury BMWs. As Dr. Ian Robertson, BMW AG Board of Management member for Sales and Brand BMW explained, “Since BMW founded the Sports Activity Vehicle segment with the first X5 back in 1999, every subsequent X vehicle has broken new ground. The BMW X7 continues this tradition. The X family’s new top model extends BMW’s offering in the luxury class and redefines the concept of luxury for the BMW brand and beyond. It also embodies one of the most important elements of our corporate strategy Number One > Next, to grow our presence in the luxury class. Furthermore, the BMW Concept X7 demonstrates it’s perfectly possible to combine a large sports activity vehicle with an electrified drivetrain.”
Adrian van Hooydonk, the BMW Group's chief of design, explains where the Concept X7 iPerformance fits. “The Concept introduces the BMW Sports Activity Vehicle DNA into the luxury segment. The new BMW design language employs just a few, extremely precise lines and subtle surface-work to raise the bar in terms of presence and prestige,” said van Hooydonk. “The BMW Concept X7 iPerformance has a luxurious and sophisticated feel to it, thanks to its understated use of forms and incredibly precise details.”
The passenger compartment of the Concept X7 is big, but feels even bigger due to the materials used in the interior as well as the openness generated by the huge panoramic roof. Six seats are arranged in three rows giving a greater feeling of space along with a lot of legroom.
Seat bolsters are covered with dark, olive-bronze leather with gold pigmentation, while the rest of the seat coverings are in Smoke White leather. Matte-finished open-pore ash and polished aluminum are used for trim. Things get more interesting at night when the roof is divided by laser light strands and the cabin is accented with dynamic ambient and contour lighting.
There is no mistaking the controls for anything but BMW. The instrument displays and controls are angled toward the driver and a raised seating position provides exceptional visibility. The instrument cluster screen is 12.3 inches and right next to it is the large central touchscreen display. Both screens together provide an almost continuous presentation of information.
The two fortunate passengers occupying the second row of seats may enjoy personalized infotainment via the large screens in the front seat backs. BMW Connected allows them their choice of digital services or office content or entertainment. Everything is connected so that one passenger can send content directly to the car or to other passengers.
Outside, the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance lets you know this is not just an upsized X5. Yes, it's a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle, but the larger kidney grilles, the elongated twin headlights—BMW Laser Light, by the way—tell you it's a BMW, but a new and different BMW. The Laser Lights also contain blue X signatures to confirm which part of the BMW family the X7 Concept belongs to.
It's easy to see from the side view how vertically sheer the front and rear ends really are. The shoulder line is high and separates the large, open greenhouse from the beefier body that contains the good stuff, like the drivetrain, passengers, and cargo.
The Concept X7 iPerformance is finished in an exclusive Manhattan metallic paint best described as a dark olive-bronze. Bigger X vehicles must sit on bigger tires and the X7 Concept's are really big. Multi-spoke 23-inch light alloy wheels nest in the circular wheel wells. Aerodynamically optimized inlays between the spokes are said to reduce drag.
The rear of the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance sends a message of size and stability. Tailpipe tips are subtle; almost hard to find, which remind us that the gasoline engine is not the only method of propulsion in this plug-in hybrid.
Check this video for some good shots of the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance in motion:
At first glance, the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance is massive, with some of its more pronounced features highlighted with eye-drawing chrome. It's tempting to pass judgment on next year's production X7 based on this concept, but let's not forget that the concept is just a taste that BMW is using not only to preview X7 design elements, but to show how it intends to incorporate an X vehicle into its newly refocused family of high-end luxury vehicles that will include the X7, 7 Series Sedan, 8 Series Coupe, i8 Coupe, and i8 Roadster.—Scott Blazey
[Photos and video courtesy of BMW AG.]
