Saar: It becomes the first-ever BMW to come with a three-row layout as standard. The X7 will lock horns with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Range Rover and the Lexus LX.

Say hello to the first-ever BMW X7. Math lovers or BMW fanatics will immediately tell you that it will slot above the X5 and the X6 models and becomes the new flagship SUV for BMW. It has been a long time coming and what we have received here is, unsurprisingly, a toned-down version of the Concept X7, which was unveiled to the world at last year’s International Auto Show in Frankfurt. The X7 will be built at BMW’s Spartanburg facility in the USA and its market launch will begin in March 2019.

The BMW X7 comes with a three-row layout as standard. In terms of dimensions, it measures 5,151mm in length, 2,000mm in width, 1,805mm in height and has a wheelbase of 3,105mm. Compared to the new BMW X5, which was unveiled in June this year, the BMW X7 is 229mm longer, 4mm narrower, 60mm taller and its wheelbase is 130mm longer. All-in-all, the X7 simply dwarfs the X5. Even the kidney grille on the X7 is the biggest ever in BMW’s history.

On the outside, the BMW X7 gets LED headlamps as standard, which has a range of up to 300m. Go for the optional Laserlight technology and that vision range doubles. You also get active air flaps behind the kidney grille which help in enhancing the aerodynamics of the SUV, a bunch of sensors for features like lane keeping assist and automatic speed limit assist and alloy wheels which range from 20 to 22 inches.

No points for guessing, the cabin of the BMW X7 is the most versatile in the company’s history. As standard, the X7 can house seven passengers. However, the bench-type second-row seat can be replaced with two individual seats and BMW will charge you extra for doing so. The third row of seats gets armrests, cupholders and USB ports. The real kicker is that all seats are electrically adjustable. Lastly, the boot capacity can be increased from 326 litres to a whopping 2,120 litres.

As you’d expect, the BMW X7 brings home a good balance between luxury and comfort. As standard, you get Vernasca leather trim, a four-zone climate control, BMW Live Cockpit Professional with two 12.3-inch displays, a three-section panoramic glass roof and an ambient lighting package. On the options list, BMW has a five-zone automatic climate control, ambient air package, the panorama glass roof sky lounge, Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system and the rear-seat entertainment system.

At the time of launch, the BMW X7 will be available with four engine options – two petrol and diesel each. All will come mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and the xDrive all-wheel-drive system. Given below are the specifications and performance numbers of the engines:

• BMW X7 xDrive40i
  • Displacement: 3.0 litres
  • Configuration: In-line 6-cylinder
  • Power/Torque: 340PS/450Nm
  • 0-100kmph: 6.1 seconds
  • Top speed: 245kmph

• BMW X7 xDrive50i
  • Displacement: 4.4 litres
  • Configuration: V8
  • Power/Torque: 462PS/650Nm
  • 0-100kmph: 5.4 seconds
  • Top speed: 250kmph

• BMW X7 xDrive30d
  • Displacement: 3.0 litres
  • Configuration: In-line 6-cylinder
  • Power/Torque: 265PS/620Nm
  • 0-100kmph: 7.0 seconds
  • Top speed: 227kmph

• BMW X7 M50d
  • Displacement: 3.0 litres
  • Configuration: In-line 6-cylinder
  • Power/Torque: 400PS/760Nm
  • 0-100kmph: 5.4 seconds
  • Top speed: 250kmph

The BMW X7 has been created to take the game to the SUVs such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Lexus LX and the Range Rover. In all probability, BMW should land the X7 on our shores towards the end of next year.