INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH
The X7 is the 7 Series of SUVs
Behind the larger-than-life grille is a supersized luxury vehicle with impressive refinement
In the US, the new BMW X7 is not as larger than life as you might expect from a vehicle measuring 5,150mm. Driving along the interstate from Tallahassee in Florida to Baton Rouge in Louisiana at the X7’s international media launch, it seemed almost hatchback-like in its size as we were passed by oversize bakkies and big rig trucks. But when the X7 arrives in SA in May, it is going to feel much bigger, although it is actually 12mm shorter than one of its biggest competitors, the Mercedes-Benz GLS. It’s more imposing than its Stuttgart rival though, much more imposing. That’s mainly down to that massive braai grille at the front that sits there like some kind of cartoon evil grin. It looked terrible in the original images and, frankly, is not a great piece of design in the real thing, but it seems slightly less vulgar in the metal particularly as a part of a vehicle sitting 1,805mm tall.
All this supersizing translates into a 3,100mm wheelbase which means loads of interior space...
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