Saar: BMW has already registered the X8 trademark in several markets around the world.
Only a couple of days ago, BMW confirmed that the production-spec of the X7 will be revealed before the end of this year. The new SUV, which broke cover as the Concept X7 iPerformance at the 2017 International Auto Show in Frankfurt, is currently being fine-tuned. While we believed the X7 would certainly dwarf the X5 and give the Mercedes-Benz GLS a fight in terms of dimensions, we could potentially be wronged by the carmaker itself.
Based on what Autocar UK recently reported, BMW has already registered the X8 trademark in several markets around the world. While Klaus Fröhlich, BMW’s head of development, hasn’t confirmed the plans for the X8 but he did go on to mention that such a product is under evaluation. He went on to clarify on what basis will BMW’s decision makers evaluate the possibility of the X8:
“The sector is growing fast, so there will be opportunity. It is early to talk about X8, but one of the first decisions I made when I worked on product strategy was to take the X5 and make the X6. Everyone said it was not necessary, but it worked. Now we have the X2, X4 and X6. They are emotional and sporty derivatives that work for us. There is room for X8 – especially in markets like China – but there are no decisions yet. Each car must have a distinct character, and these are the sort of areas that take time to evaluate.”
Based on what Fröhlich said, the X8 is likely to meet the same fate as the lesser even-numbered X models. That means it could end up being a coupe-ish derivative of the upcoming X7. That would put it in the path of the soon-to-launch Audi Q8, which is essentially a four-seater, luxury SUV to take on the upcoming Range Rover Coupe. But, if BMW really wants to push the envelope, the X8 could break the standard norms and instead become an elongated iteration of the X7.
If we evaluate the latter possibility, it will give BMW a chance to even surpass the Mercedes-Benz GLS in terms of bigness. And instead of giving it a three-row layout as the three-pointed star product, BMW could take a leaf or two out of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan’s book to pamper its fanatics like never before. For such a vehicle, BMW could mate its own CLAR platform with that of the Cullinan’s aluminium architecture. Sure, this sounds like a complex job for just one product but if it goes through, BMW could potentially outshine all its direct competitors and enter a league where it will give the Bentley Bentayga, Range Rover Autobiography LWB and the Lamborghini Urus something to watch out for.
To throw some numbers in the mix, the BMW X7 is 5,020mm long with a wheelbase of 3,010mm. The same numbers for the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Range Rover (not the LWB) stand at 5,131mm and 3,076mm, and 4,999mm and 2,922mm respectively. That means, there is still room for BMW to produce an even bigger SUV.
No points for guessing, the powerplants for the X8 will come from the X7. For petrol-only loves, the 6.6-litre V12 from the current M760Li could do the duty with 610PS/800Nm on tap. But to keep the ‘green’ party happy, a plug-in hybrid will also come into the X8’s kitty. That dual-engine setup could be lifted from the 7 Series too, specifically the 740e.
If the X8 does get a green light from the decision makers at BMW, the launch is expected in the year 2020. That’s about two years from today. Whichever way you look at it, this is quite an exciting development. What do you guys think?
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