BMW hosts international launch of the X7 in U.S.A

If you are looking for a bigger version of the X lineup of Sports Activity Coupes that BMW has on offer, well, check out the first ever X7.

It goes on record being the biggest car that BMW has made and will be built in the U.S.A at BMW's Spartanburg plant, just like the X4, the X5 and the X6 models.  

Measuring 5,151mm long, 2,000mm wide and 1,805mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,105mm, the X7 is nothing short of enormous.

Compared to the recently announced and already big X5, the X7 is 229mm longer, 60mm taller and has a wheelbase that's 130mm longer.

If the numbers do not dazzle you, another telling part of the size of the X7 is the size of the kidney grille up front, which are also the biggest ever fitted to a BMW thus far. While size is one thing, an interesting point to note in the design of the X7 is a single chrome trim bar that runs across the rear, bridging the space between the slim LED rear lights. This design cue was previously only seen in the BMW 7 Series.

On the inside, the BMW X7 comes standard with three rows of seats, with the third row sporting two full-sized seats, making the X7 a true seven-seater. Customers can also specify for the second row to come with two full-sized seats, making the X7 a six-seater in that configuration.

The BMW X7 comes with a three-part panoramic glass roof as standard. The front, central and rear glass elements all have an electrically sliding headliner that can be operated from a control panel in the front section, an option also allows for electric sun blinds for the rear windows with a button for rear passengers to operate the headliner.

If you wish for a starry night sky, there is the Panorama Sky Lounge option for the glass roof. It features LED lighting spread evenly all across the panoramic glass roof - which will illuminate more than 15,000 graphic patterns to display something reminiscent of a starlit sky.

Up front, the driver is treated with the standard-fitted BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which includes a control display and a fully digital instrument cluster - both measuring 12.3-inches in screen size. Plus, the X7 also has the option to apply CraftedClarity glass on the gear selector, the Start/Stop button and control buttons.

For power, there will be two options for petrol engines. The X7 xDrive40i will be powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six powerplant that is good for 330bhp and 450Nm of torque. The other petrol option comes in the form of the X7 xDrive50i, with a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 lump making a decent 449bhp and 650Nm of torque.

Power is efficiently distributed to all four wheels with BMW's xDrive system, which now varies how the drive torque is split with even greater precision. For added efficiency, full power can be sent to only the rear wheels when there is no need for all-wheel drive.

Helping further with putting power down, the M Sport differential can be fitted as an option. It will work in conjunction with the Off-road package on the X7 xDrive50i, allowing for electronically controlled rear differential lock - useful in dynamic driving situations.

Ride comfort is also enhanced, thanks to the standard two-axle air suspension with automatic self-levelling, making it possible to balance out an unevenly loaded car. It is also linked to the X7's Dynamic Stability Control system, which takes into account braking modulation. Plus, in Sport mode or when speeds exceed 138km/h, the ride height is lowered by 20mm.

BMW has announced last year that the worldwide market launch will be in March 2019. We are now in Tallahassee, Florida, and will be getting behind the wheel of the BMW X7 soon. We'll dwell more into the features and first impressions then, so stay tuned.