BMW has just updated its top-of-the-line luxury SUV, the X7. Since its launch, the X7 has quickly become the brand’s most successful model in the luxury class. The new facelifted model comes with new looks, engines and upgrades to its technology. The worldwide market launch will be in August 2022.
2023 BMW X7 – Design
The X7 was the first of the modern BMWs to feature the large kidney grille, and it continues to do so. The new model brings subtle changes to the exterior and additional tech upgrades to the interior. The new split headlights are the first thing that catches your attention, and they are unlike anything seen on a BMW before.
The upper half of the headlight features two slim, upside-down LEDs with a hockey stick like design. These act as the DRLs as well as turn signals. The lower half of the headlight is much bigger, slightly tinted and houses the main lighting elements. The adaptive matrix LED headlights extend into vertical air intakes in the front bumper. Compared to the earlier headlights, the new split ones add more visual height making the kidney grille look more proportionate. The grille gets optional illumination. The grille illuminates when the door is opened and can also be controlled through the iDrive system.
Just like the main headlight elements, the taillights have a slight tint. The rear lights now come with a new 3D design and side graphics. The model’s new standard exterior trim is Design Pure Excellence and also gets a new colour – Sparkling Copper Grey metallic. New colours for the range-topper M60i are – M Marina Bay Blue, Ametrine Metallic, and Frozen Pure Grey Metallic. The range-topping M Sport Package cars come with 21-inch M light-alloy wheels as standard. Additionally, for the first time for a BMW, 23-inch light-alloy wheels are available as an option.
2023 BMW X7 – Interiors
The biggest change to the interior of the X7 is the new instrument cluster. The new digital dials and the new iDrive 8 join to form a massive screen, just like the BMW iX. The floating design screen hangs over the dashboard. The new dials offer better visibility and customization than before. A new toggle-type switch replaces the old shift lever increasing the sense of spaciousness in the cabin. The dashboard gets a new light bar with the model branding at its end.
2023 BMW X7 – Powertrain
An all-new V8 engine by the brand will also make its debut on the X7. Known internally as the S68 engine, it will be a proper M Division engine and feature in X7 M60i. The new engine will also feature in future M cars. The S68 will continue to be a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. Still, it will get proper motorsport technology, such as a cross-bank exhaust manifold, bank-symmetrical turbochargers, a reinforced crankshaft, a lightweight oil sump, external engine oil cooling and an all-new oil pump.
Importantly, all of the available engine options gain 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. BMW claims the inclusion of the electric motor makes 12 HP and up to 200 Nm more torque depending on the engine. The 48-volt tech also helps in a smoother auto start/stop system experience.
Apart from the X7 M60i, the three-row SUV is available in – xDrive40i and xDrive40d. The xDrive40i gets a 3-litre straight-six turbocharged petrol engine, making 380 HP and 520 Nm of torque. The hybrid motor can deliver an additional 20 Nm boost for a total of 540 Nm. The only diesel model, xDrive40d, uses a 3-litre six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. The diesel engine replaces aluminium pistons with steel ones, allowing higher combustion pressures. The max power is now 340 HP and 720 Nm of torque with the hybrid boost and 700 Nm without it. All the X7 models come with xDrive all-wheel-drive system and utilize an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
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