Test drive BMW X7
The BMW X7 strives to be not just the "stretched X-fifth", but the "seven" in the world of SUVs. Finding out if he succeeded on the road from Houston to San Antonio
The Bavarians figured out the format of mid-size crossovers for a long time, but they clearly slept through the class of large SUVs. The eternal rival Mercedes-Benz has been producing the huge GLS (formerly GL) since 2006, it has already changed generations once and is preparing to do it again. BMW has created a large crossover just now, and it looks suspiciously like a Mercedes.
X7 project manager Jörg Wunder explained that there was little way for the engineers to escape the "classmate" resemblance. All because of the straight roof - it was made in such a way as to provide a margin of space above the heads of the third row passengers. And the vertical fifth door, like that of Mercedes, allowed to increase the volume of the trunk.
In profile, almost the only distinguishing feature is the signature Hofmeister curve. Full face is another matter. At the front, the X7 is generally difficult to confuse with anyone, not least thanks to the most controversial part - the hypertrophied nostrils, which are swollen by 40%. They are simply gigantic: 70 cm in width and 38 cm in height. By European standards, it looks like a gigantomania, but when compared with "Americans", for example, the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator, then the X7 is modesty itself.
A colleague rightly noted that such an image was intended to evoke emotions, but not necessarily immediately positive ones. Cars that you like at first sight tend to get bored quickly. So X7 and I became friends a day later. There were no questions about the stern and profile before, and the provocative front part simply lifted the bar of aggression for which the Bavarian design is famous.
By the way, the stern has inherited a two-leaf tailgate, like the X5, and so that the models can be easily distinguished, the X7 has a reverse curvature of the lights and a chrome lintel. This, by the way, is similar to the flagship sedan - 7-Series.
But back to the Mercedes. Judging by the characteristics, at the forefront was the goal of outperforming competitors in all respects. In length from bumper to bumper, the new BMW X7 (5151 mm) surpasses the Mercedes-Benz GLS (5130 mm). The wheelbase (3105 mm) also points to the X7's favor, as the Mers has 3075 mm. If we compare the X7 with the "seven", then the crossover is located exactly between the versions with the usual (3070 mm) and long (3210 mm) wheelbases.
The technical stuffing is a completely different story. Here the X7 is strongly unified with the younger X5. There is a double lever in the front, and a five-lever scheme is used at the back. The chassis can be fully steered with the rear wheels turning up to three degrees. The transmission is all-wheel drive only: with a multi-plate clutch in the front axle drive and an optional rear differential with a controlled locking degree. However, a more status crossover relies on air suspension already in the "base" and a lot of useful electronics.
The base wheels are 20 inches, and 21- or 22-inch wheels are available for a surcharge. Adaptive LED headlights are installed as standard, and a laser-phosphor high beam is offered as an option, which is warned by a special sign on the inner wall of the headlight: "Do not look, or you will go blind."
By the way, if the X5 and X7 really have a lot in common in the platform, then in the exterior from the younger brother, the new crossover got only four parts: the front doors and covers on the mirrors.
Inside, at least up to the B-pillar, there is no revelation. The affinity with the X5 is expressed in the identical front fascia and seats. The equipment is richer: seats in Vernasca leather, four-zone climate control, electric front seats and a panoramic roof. All this is already in the basic version.
The wide central tunnel is crowned with three levels of functional blocks. Upstairs is multimedia with a 12,3-inch screen with the new BMW OS7.0 operating system, which allows you to save the driver's profile and transfer from car to car. One level below is the climatic unit, and even lower is the transmission control unit.
Alas, there are no more traditional pointer devices. The design of the virtual instrument scale to the point of confusion suddenly resembles Chery Tiggo 2. However, this can be easily treated by adding three or four new "skins". But for some reason they are not there yet.
In terms of cabin transformation, the X7 is focused on the mainstream market, the North American market. Here, mostly women will be behind the wheel, and children will be the passengers. In Russia, of course, there are options.
The full-size rear sofa is fully electrified as standard. In the trunk, on the sides, there are buttons that, with one touch, allow you to turn the second and third row either into a fully cargo or passenger row. It takes about 26 seconds to fold the five seats, and about 30 seconds to fold it out. The third row forms a completely flat floor, and the second - with a slight slope.
For those wishing to use the X7 as an off-road "seven", a six-seater saloon with two captain's seats in the second row is possible. However, in this case, you will have to sacrifice practicality and, oddly enough, comfort.
First, to fold such seats, you must manually tilt the backrest, and the pillow will move forward on its own. Secondly, in this case, the second row will have less space in the knees. At the same time, the individual armrests cannot be called royal in any way. A full sofa with a large center armrest will be even more comfortable. It is assumed that the presence of two separate seats facilitates access to the third row while driving, but there it was. You can squeeze between them only if you specifically move one as far forward as possible, and the second - all the way back.
The third row of comfort is not deprived as much as possible: five-zone climate control with a separate control unit under the ceiling and air ducts is available as an option. Separate panoramic roof segment, heated seats, USB, cupholders and the ability to control the seats. On the third row, a tall adult man will be cramped, although if there is an urgent need to travel a couple of hours, it is still possible if the passengers of the second row are not too selfish.
The trunk with the seats fully folded out is small (326 liters), although it is enough for two salon suitcases. If necessary, you can use the underground where the luggage compartment cover is stored. With the third row folded down, the volume rises to an impressive 722 liters, and if you remove the second row, the X7 becomes a giant station wagon (2120 liters).
Despite the technical similarity to the X5, work on the project was entrusted to a group of engineers working on the passenger car "seven". It was comfort that was put at the forefront, of course, taking into account the fact that the BMW logo is on the hood.
The set of engines BMW X7 also inherited from the X5. Base for Russia will be xDrive30d with a three-liter diesel "six" with a capacity of 249 horsepower. Slightly higher in the table of ranks is the petrol xDrive40i (3,0 L, 340 hp), and at the top is the M50d with a 3,0 L four-supercharged diesel engine (400 hp), the standard M-package and active rear differential.
In the US, the choice is very different. No diesel engines for obvious reasons - only the xDrive40i version is similar to the one that will be in Russia, but the xDrive50i is not going to us yet due to certification problems.
The first one I got behind the wheel of the xDrive40i version. Inline petrol "six" with a volume of 3 liters produces 340 liters. with. and gains “one hundred” in 6,1 seconds. At the same time, at cruising speeds, it pleases with silence in the cabin and very modest fuel consumption (8,4 l / 100 km in suburban mode), and, if necessary, produces an impressive 450 Nm of torque, already starting from 1500 rpm. Sharp accelerations are given to a large crossover without any strain at all, although it does not strike with supernatural dynamics.
Our car was shod in optional 22-diameter tires of various sizes, and even despite this, it became noticeable that the crossover's behavior fully corresponded to the technical specifications. Light swaying on bumps in a comfortable or adaptive mode, as well as good noise isolation, set you up for a calm mood.
Even compared to the X5, which has become noticeably less jittery in the new generation, the X7 sets new parameters for comfort. Although in sport mode and on a frankly broken dirt road, I still managed to find the line beyond which the X7 with all its large body makes it clear that it was not created for this. The flagship of the crossover range is built for long-distance travel with a large family. Aggression is not the best companion on a long trip. Looking ahead, I will say that I did not manage to get far off the road. However, we have already done this on the pre-production test of the X7.
Before the test, the engineers assured that the X7 keeps a straight line perfectly, but during the march along the Texas highways from Houston to San Antonio, questions about directional stability still appeared. The steering wheel makes 2,9 turns from lock to lock, but the sensitivity in the near-zero zone seems to have been deliberately reduced for the sake of calmness on the straight line, which led to exactly the opposite effect. On straight lines, the crossover had to be corrected every now and then. The windy weather and high windage of the X7 may be to blame.
Otherwise, everything is Bavarian. Nearly. The basic brakes more than confidently stop a car weighing 2395 kg from 100 km / h, the crossover holds the arc perfectly in corners, the rolls even in the version without active stabilizers are quite moderate, but the steering effort is still devoid of the proprietary feedback that the Bavarian crossovers.
The xDrive50i version, which will not appear in Russia, is from a completely different test. The 8-liter V4,4 produces an impressive 462 liters. with., and the optional M-package adds aggression both in appearance and in behavior. As soon as the Start / Stop button is pressed, the 50i with the M-package immediately gives off its voice with the roar of a sports exhaust.
The problems with exchange rate stability were immediately gone. The steering wheel is filled, perhaps even with excess weight, but this is exactly what was missing in the three-liter version. The V8 version delighted with precise responses in tight corners and literally provoked an attack. Rear steer wheels reduce the turning radius and reduce lateral loads on passengers, but this can only be felt during sudden changes of lanes.
All in all, the xDrive50i is a real BMW. On the other hand, the good news is that we still have a choice. If you want more comfort and family peace - choose the xDrive40i or xDrive30d, or if you want excitement and sport, then the M50d is yours.
For the basic version of the xDrive30d, dealers will ask for a minimum of $ 77. The xDrive070i variant is priced at $ 40, while the BMW X79 M331d starts at $ 7. For comparison: for a base Mercedes-Benz 50d 99MATIC we are asked at least $ 030.
The largest market for the BMW X7, of course, will be the United States, but great hopes are pinned on the model in Russia. Moreover, all cars from the first batch have already been reserved. But there is some bad news for BMW: the new Mercedes-Benz GLS is coming soon.
| Dimensions (length / width / height), mm | 5151/2000/1805 | 5151/2000/1805 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 3105 | 3105 |
| Turning radius, m | 13 | 13 |
| Cargo space, l | 326 – 2120 Feet | 326 – 2120 Feet |
| Type of transmission | Automatic 8-speed | Automatic 8-speed |
| engine's type | 2998cc, in-line, 3 cylinders, turbocharged | 4395cc, V-shaped, 3 cylinders, turbocharged |
| Power, hp from. | 340 at 5500-6500 rpm | 462 at 5250-6000 rpm |
| Torque, Nm | 450 at 1500-5200 rpm | 650 at 1500-4750 rpm |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h, s | 6,1 | 5,4 |
| Maximum speed km / h | 245 | 250 |
| Ground clearance without load, mm | 221 | 221 |
| Fuel tank volume, l | 83 | 83 |
