The all-new full-size SUV from BMW is just a step ahead of its official debut which is going to happen pretty soon, most likely at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. We’ve seen a number of prototypes during the year while the Bavarian automaker previewed the 2019 BMW X7 with the concept iPerformance model at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show as well. Meaning, we know almost everything about the luxury large SUV before it becomes available. The picture about the X7 will become even clearer after you see these design patents for the SUV.
They leaked from the Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial in Braziland and they are showing the exact exterior design of the 2019 BMW X7. Judging by the shots, the full-size SUV is going to look pretty much the same as the concept version. Up front, the vehicle hosts concept’s gorgeous grille and an attractive front bumper with a chrome bar that stretches all the way to the air intakes in the corners. Compared to the new X5, BMW’s flagship is going to have a pair of notably slimmer headlights. The X7 will also be a tad flatter from the smaller sibling which gives it a certain dose of elegance. The side of the model reveals really long rear doors, which is good because they guarantee easy entry and exit from the third row of seats. The flat roof gets a panoramic glass roof which will most likely be a standard part of every X7, as it’s going to be a smaller sunroof above the third row, too. All the way in the back, the carmaker decided to add a pair of square exhaust tips and lovely taillights which have been connected by a slim chrome strip.
The seven-seat SUV rides on an architecture which is closely related to the CLAR platform that supports the 7-Series model. The chassis will be fitted with the latest technologies, including electrified powertrains. Still, don’t expect any other transmission than the ZF 8-speed automatic. The SUV is simply unable to use anything other because BMW’s available dual-clutch gearbox can’t handle the torque of engines which are going to power the large SUV.
Speaking of engines, the 2019 BMW X7 will get a few amazing options beneath the hood. The SUV will start with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six mill which is going to deliver 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. BMW is not going to skip the chance to offer a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 unit as well. The engine will pump out exactly 456 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of twist. They will also offer a plug-in hybrid drivetrain which will probably combine the aforementioned six-cylinder unit and an electric motor. At the end of the road, the Bavarian carmaker definitely prepares a performance-oriented M-based SUV. The vanilla option will be hooked to M850i’s V8 engine that produces 522 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of grunt. As we’ve heard, the 2019 BMW X7 Diesel is also in the works. Just don’t expect it anywhere near the U.S., though. Instead, it’s going to be available in Europe and it will use a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder with 261 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque.
The design patents don’t reveal anything inside of the SUV. Still, we’ve spied the cabin earlier, so we know it’s going to be cozy and luxurious. Some reports claim that the gear shift lever will be adorned with Swarovski crystals, while we know that the instrument cluster is going to work together with a fully-digital instrument cluster. Even though BMW didn’t reveal any dimensions at the time, it’s quite clear that we are looking into the real giant which will have more than enough room for all seven passengers. That’s because the production model is going to keep roughly the same footprint as the concept version. Meaning, there is going to be 1185 inches of wheelbase, while the overall length should reach 197.2 inches.
If the new BMW X7 really hits this year’s Los Angeles auto show, it will definitely become available in dealerships in early 2019.
