BMW may yet build its super luxury SUV, according to company insiders. Three years ago we were supposed to see a BMW X7 on our roads, a behemoth of high proportions aimed at rivalling the Land Rover Range Rover set. Mercedes-Benz knew about it too, as they prepared their own vehicle for this segment, the GL-Class. Something happened along the way, probably at the same time as when BMW sold Land Rover to Ford.
Now a source says the X7 is merely “sleeping”, waiting to see what happens with the US SUV market. From where we stand it doesn’t look too good for X7 survival, which may prompt a total cancellation of project X7. That whole big SUV segment is under extreme fire from environmental lobbyists and generally anti-SUV groups, hence X3, MINI SUV and X1. We have been told the X7 would only work if alternative fuels like hydrogen and hybrid technology become mainstream. Hopefully, we will find out soon enough.
BMW X7 May Yet Surface
Modified BMW X5 Sketch
Fuel Sources a Big Factor
By Thami Masemola
June 23, 2008 5:00 PM
Filed Under: BMW, General, German, Rumours
Comments
xLumino
June 23, 2008 5:06 PM
looks like X5 not more. I think BMW has enouth SUV. the common X1, X3, X5, X6 (what noone really needs) And now an X7?! That's senseless. build more good sedans and sporty compactcars!
xLumino
June 24, 2008 9:48 PM
You are right, thx. But this was more a constructive critism. I like good made SUV, but I think, this trend is unneccessary.
Spyshot-73
June 23, 2008 5:15 PM
It would be nice to see something totally different from car manufacturers , it all seems abit bland these days.
bt21d
June 23, 2008 6:15 PM
Think about one thing, ok.. bmw have great cars, are amanzing but the first guy are right, they have a lot off suv's, but the problem isn't because they have a lot suv, but the suv's are almoste the same, the interior is the same, inovate please... the interior of bmw is very clean and well done but all the cars have the same interior and outside go like the same way, i'm telling this but i like the cars... but sometimes need somthing more.
conrad
June 23, 2008 6:16 PM
I also dont think it would be a smart move untill the alternative fules are mainstream
alessandro
June 23, 2008 6:59 PM
X6 is almost 5m long and 1,7m high. Will that be L 6m, W 2.30 and H 2.10?
racsozelev
June 23, 2008 7:17 PM
X7???? well, what´s next after that ridiculous thing running around under the X6 badge? maybe a one seat, 6 mtr long, 25" wheels, 4x4 cabrio-coupé-SUV-van with 600 CV and a boot for your golf stuff???? coming from the insaciable niche marketing experts from bmw, i might believe that. LOGIC CARS FOR THE TIME WE ARE LIVING IN, PLEASE!!!
Fer
June 23, 2008 8:01 PM
There are enough "logic cars" out there, please let people dream... There are a lot of empty roads yet...
popee
June 23, 2008 8:48 PM
whattt!!1! another new brand.....oh ma god wats are dese carmakers up to. we are tired....u can even design x100000 we dont care.ah
RS5
June 23, 2008 10:10 PM
Let's hope that this car won't happen. We've seen enough crap from BMW already.
wisp
June 24, 2008 10:24 AM
Look at the crap responses. Audi makes a 4 wheel drive super car and the croonies cry out 'super', Merc makes a gaingantic SUV 'oh this is super. Hummer increases their truck size and again the same pipo applaude. Please do not hate the player (BMW) rather you hate the game. The same car X7 is welcome as long as there is a market for it. Not all of us are from countries with narrow roads - besides who said that the artist impression is an exact replica of the real drawings. Be real.
lucifa
June 24, 2008 1:12 PM
well well, somebody at least sees sense. its rather tiring how everyone bags the bimmers, particularly when they're just making a rival to a merc. go for it; it's a bmw so itl handle well, and bmw picked up a few tricks from their time with range rover so maybe they'll make this a proper off roader like the range rover/range rover sport
RS5
June 25, 2008 7:13 AM
So what. You don't see Audi or Mercedes coming out with crap like the X1 or the X6. And Audi doesn't even have a full size SUV. It only has the Q7 to compete with the X5 and the Q5 to compete with the X3. BMW has diluted its brand with enough crap already. We don't want to see an X7. We want to see another Z8. Think about what you say next time before being so critical about others' opinions.
peterjames7
June 24, 2008 8:07 PM
seriously???? even ford are cutting the number of suvs especially the larger models. $140 a barrel, ummmmmm
wisp
June 25, 2008 8:38 AM
By the way is the A class, B class or this big luxury station wagon smart cars from Merc? BMW Reinvented the Mini and what do we have now, Alfa wanting a piece of that cake, Audi as well jumping in with their A1 and i believe there's a lot others. BMW changed the views on 4x4's with the first SUV (X5). The whole world castigated and the loudest critics like ... jumped up and joined in the making of SUV's. The same kind of treatment the X6 is getting and every other correpondent that has driven that car gets his mind set reset to WOW!!! this car drives like a super sports car. I guess you miss the whole point of BMW - "Sheer driving pleasure" as Mercs "comfort whatever" and Audi "turn your head mi broer coz i got good looks and lights". All this is down to the buyers choice.If you can't affordit rather you keep quiet and watch from the fence.
wisp
June 25, 2008 8:29 AM
RS5 wants to sound so smart and yet he exposes just how intelligent he is i.e. Audi does not have a full SUV but a Q7 to compete with an X5. Broer are you smoking socks or something coz i honestly do see the Q7 as full size and it is alot bigger than the X5, ML and current Range Rover. Please spare me your smartness and what country has an X1 anyway - Pluto!
Moko
June 26, 2008 8:47 AM
it makes sens that bmw buils a 4x4, it only makes sens, trying to take over that segment...im willing to see what that monster will look like, chucky on wheels lol...
alessandro
June 29, 2008 8:06 PM
Audi, Merc and BMW SUVs made for driving nuts - look at comments above and lets buy beautiful cars it so relaxing you know.
ck314
July 7, 2008 5:43 PM
Nobody would buy an X7 in Europe, except perhaps a very few new rich freaks with inferiority complex. The X5 is huge enough damn it! Spend that money on exciting sportscars instead. If you need a minibus get a Suburban.
nitewulf
March 31, 2009 4:29 AM
C'mon, I think they should really push the X7, if BMW is luxurious brand, then they missing a large SUV. Who cares if it takes a lot of gas, if you find a customer to buy 70+k car , don't ask for gas mileage. And I truly think that there is a big segment on a market. Somebody likes big, somebody likes fast, somebody likes extreme, so what ? for me X5 is even smaller then 4Runner, if I had to replace, only for bigger, why ? because ... and for alternative fuels, stop dreaming, till americans owns patents and markets for oil, nothing will be changing anytime soon. Just gasoline or diesel engine did not improve for the past 40 years, so do you think they going to change it ? don't be silly. And green activists are just stupid bunch of folks that believe they will save something, like earth hour, why dont they care to improve something but not to ban it.
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