BMW X7 Flaunts Its Super-Sized Styling As It Prepares To Battle The Mercedes GLS

The 2019 BMW X7 is expected to be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this year and spy photographers have caught a prototype wearing less camouflage than ever before.

Caught on the back of a trailer, the X7 looks like a larger X5 because that’s essentially what it is. However, there are some styling differences between the two models as the X7 features unique headlights and significantly longer rear doors. The crossover also eschews the X5’s ‘lightning bolt’ character line which starts at the front fender and then travels through the rear door handles.

The modest styling changes are also visible at the rear as the X7 has unique taillights that are connected by a thin strip of chrome trim. If you’re having a hard time imaging what they will look like, the X7 iPerformance concept will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Unsurprisingly, both models will also have similar interiors. As the result, we can expect a digital instrument cluster, metallic accents and the latest version of iDrive. There should also be an assortment of options including Vernasca and Merino leather upholstery, illuminated door sill plates and heated / ventilated multifunction front seats with a massage function.

Other options should include a four-zone automatic climate control system, a panoramic glass roof, heated / cooled cup holders and a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system. Customers can also expect a rear seat entertainment system with 10.2-inch displays and an M Sport variant featuring a sport steering wheel, alloy pedals and Aluminium Tetragon trim.

In the United States, the model will likely be launched with two different engine sourced from the X5. The entry-level X7 xDrive40i should have a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that develops 335 hp (250 kW / 340 PS) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. It enables the X5 to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.5 seconds before hitting a top speed of 151 mph (243 km/h), so expect the larger X7 to be a bit slower.

There should also be an X7 xDrive50i with a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine producing 456 hp (350 kW / 462 PS) and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque. The crossover should be able to run from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in around five seconds before hitting a limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

European customers will likely have a couple of diesel options. The base unit should be a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with 261 hp (195 kW / 265 PS) and 457 lb-ft (620 Nm) of torque. Performance minded buyers can also expect an X7 M50d featuring a quad-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with 394 hp (294 kW / 400 PS) and 560 lb-ft (760 Nm) of torque.

Pricing remains a mystery, but the X5 xDrive40i starts at $60,700 in the United States and it wouldn’t be surprising if the X7 was priced similarly to the Mercedes GLS which begins at $69,550.

Picture credits: CarPix for Carscoops