We're Headed to North Carolina to Sample the 2019 BMW X7 iPerformance
If you are in any way familiar with BMW products, you’ll immediately understand that the X7 will sit at the very top of the German luxury brand’s now massive SUV pyramid. The few holes that once existed in the lineup have recently been filled with the arrival of the funky and youthful BMW X2, and most recently, with the official launch of the X7.
The X7 will be built on the on BMW’s highly flexible CLAR platform, short for Cluster Architecture. This architecture, which will eventually underpin all or nearly all BMW products, mixes high-strength steel, aluminum and carbon fibre for both strength and weight savings. Given that the X7 is years in the making, you can bet that BMW will not be joining the full-size luxury SUV segment quietly.
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Aesthetically, the new X7 and X5 (which we will get a glimpse of) will look very much alike, drawing a clear link between the two. The X7 is a tree-row version of the X5, and more. What we can expect from the production flagship SUV’s styling is less flash and big chrome trim and more real-world German appeal than the Concept that was revealed at last fall’s Frankfurt auto show. As always, the kidney-grille will be prominently featured up front, heralding a powerful and purposeful body. The cabin will be replete with the latest technologies, comfort and space for all.
It is our understanding that we will be driving preproduction models or more precisely, X7 test vehicles. These “very-close-to-final production” units are built for a number of purposes such as homologation and endurance testing. Our test vehicles might be the ones that were used to evaluate extreme hot weather operation in Death Valley, or possibly even cold-weather testing in Scandinavia.
One way or another, this is a very rare treat. We head to the BMW Plant in Spartanburg, North Carolina early next week to sample the new 2019 BMW X7 iPerformance. We’ll have a full review, some specs and a picture gallery for you shortly thereafter.