BMW's proposed 7-series–based X7 would grow substantially over this X5.
Update 3/28: BMW has confirmed the X7 is going into production at its Spartanburg, North Carolina production facility. So far, company executives have only described the X7 as being a "larger X model," without elaborating. We still expect the SUV will be of the three-row, family friendly variety, and larger than today's X5. Based on BMW's investment plans for Spartanburg, it looks as though the X7 will surface around 2016.
It's been mooted for more than a decade, and rumors continue to resurface. Today, German business publication Handelsblatt joined the chorus that predicts that BMW will produce an über-SUV called the X7. BMW is on the verge of making a large investments in its Spartanburg, South Carolina, production facility, and the German daily says that an X7 to be based on the next-gen 7-series is in the plans. The project is yet to be green-lit, however.
If an X7 were to come to market, it would be significantly longer and wider than the X5, featuring three-row seating with comfortable space for all passengers. Thanks to extensive use of aluminum and carbon fiber, the vehicle's weight could remain close to that of the current X5, or even dip below. Power is expected to be supplied by the company's parts bin, namely a turbocharged straight-six and a V-8, as well as a diesel option. A year ago, German publication Auto Bild speculated that a top-of-the-line six-cylinder diesel could be force-fed by four turbochargers. BMW stopped making V-8 diesels several years ago.
- Diesel SUV Comparo: Grand Cherokee vs. Touareg, ML350, Cayenne, X5
- Long-Term Road Test Update: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 4MATIC
- Long-Term Road Test Wrap-Up: 2011 Audi Q7 TDI Quattro
One of the most interesting possibilities of the X7, though, doesn't even apply to the BMW brand. It's entirely possible that this monster SUV could provide the technical base for an SUV offered by Rolls-Royce to compete with Bentley's forthcoming off-roader. Shocking, yes, but it's another persistent rumor that might well become reality before long.
from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/nSHy27
Put the internet to work for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment