BMW X7

BMW X7 Pick-up Concept

Visitors to the 2019 BMW Motorrad Days can expect to see, in addition to many bike highlights, a true one-off - the BMW X7 Pick-up. A unique conversion performed by BMW Group vocational trainees in cooperation with the Concept Vehicle Construction and Model Technology divisions at the BMW Munich plant. The vehicle is based on the BMW X7, the most luxurious and latest member of the BMW X family. The one-off combines the drive technology of the 250 kW/340 hp BMW X7 xDrive40i with the innovative vehicle concept of a five-seater luxury pick-up.

A handcrafted loading area boasting a sophisticated fine-polished wood finish, a height-adjustable two-level air suspension and numerous high-class equipment details make this BMW X7 Pick-up an ideal companion for the diverse day-to-day uses and more. A BMW F 850 GS - a powerful motorcycle from the adventure segment - on the loading area completes the conversion. Together they are able to reach even the remotest corners of the world.

"I am pleased about the synergies between BMW Group Vocational Training, Concept Vehicle Construction and Model Technology, allowing these young talents to prove their abilities with such an extraordinary project," concludes Milagros Caiña-Andree, Member of the Board for Human Resources of the BMW AG.

High-class materials and state-of-the-art production methods meet craftsmanship

Behind the passenger cabin providing five persons with a luxury ambience, the BMW X7 Pick-up offers a generous loading area. The length of the loading space varies from 140 cm (closed) to 200 cm (open). Thanks to the intelligent use of CFRP on roof components, rear doors and the rear lid, it was possible to further reduce weight by 200 kg vs. the production model, despite a 10 cm longer body. In interplay with the high-quality, handcrafted teakwood cladding of the loading area upgrade and the parapet elements, handgrips and trim strips made from SLS 3D pressure parts, it becomes clear just how much innovative strength, competence and technical precision the trainees already display. The combination of honey-coloured teakwood and the BMW Individual colour Tanzanite Blue metallic - an exclusive navy blue finish that develops extra depth when exposed to sunlight - was inspired by yachting sports and creates a sophisticated look.

https://www.netcarshow.com/bmw/2019-x7_pick-up_concept/

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Wait, what? BMW has built a one-off (X7-based) double-cab bakkie!

No, your eyes don’t deceive you. BMW has indeed built a one-off double-cab bakkie based on its flagship X7 SUV. But the Munich-based firm has made it clear a production version “is not planned”, so a battle with the Mercedes-Benz X-Class is not on the cards.

Officially known as the BMW X7 Pick-up, the bakkie is described as a “unique conversion performed by BMW Group vocational trainees in co-operation with the Concept Vehicle Construction and Model Technology divisions at the BMW Munich plant”.

Based on the X7 xDrive40i derivative, the show car draws 250 kW from its petrol-flavoured, turbocharged 3,0-litre straight-six.

Billed as a “five-seater luxury pick-up”, it boasts a “handcrafted” loading area finished in fine-polished wood. The length of the loading space varies from 1 400 mm (closed) to 2000 mm (open). The vehicle also employs a height-adjustable two-level air suspension system … and a BMW F850 GS motorcycle on the rear.

The bakkie features carbon-fibre reinforced plastic on various roof components, the rear doors and the rear lid, which BMW says helped reduce weight by 200 kg compared with the production X7, despite a 100 mm longer body.

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/new-m...s-built-a-one-off-x7-based-double-cab-bakkie/
 
BMW X7 Double-cab Bakkie Shown

Yes, that is really a BMW X7 double-cab bakkie and not just an artist's rendering.

Twelve trainees from various sectors within BMW’s engineering division have built an extraordinary bakkie concept, using the brand’s largest SUV as a platform.

Amongst the twelve young engineering enthusiasts were trainees from BMW’s vehicle mechanics section, mechatronics and technical construction. For ten months they worked in secret to produce a road-legal X7 double-cab bakkie.

The result is a hugely impressive BMW bakkie which features a very generous load area. An adjustable tailgate section allows for the rear load area to be increased from 1.4 m to 2 m in size – which makes it able to accommodate one of BMW’s adventure motorcycles in the back.

Teakwood finishing adds a premium marine construction feel to the load area whilst the rear lights and other exterior styling elements, which differ from the X7 SUV, were crafted using 3D printing techniques. There are some fantastic details too, such as the integrated grab handles behind the cab, which sit in a vertical roll-hoop type structure.

In terms of size, the X7 double-cab is 100 mm longer than an equivalent SUV built on the same CLAR platform but manages to be 200 kg lighter. The much lighter weight is due to its reduced roof length and lessened use of glass/metal in the overall construction and proportions.

Finished in a BMW exclusive hue which registers as Tanzanite blue metallic, the X7 bakkie’s colour changes in both depth and intensity, when exposed to direct sunlight.

https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/bmw-x7-double-cab-bakkie-shown/47006/
 
BMW builds an X7 double cab bakkie (just for fun)

The idea of BMW building a premium double cab bakkie to compete with the Mercedes X-Class has been the subject of speculation for years now. Some BMW execs have expressed interest in that space, while others have ruled it out completely.

Well, now BMW has finally swayed to the pressure and created a double cab based on the X7, but there is one catch - it’s just a once off project.

The bakkie was in fact created by BMW trainees, with a little help from the company’s Concept Vehicle Construction and Model Technology divisions at the Munich factory.

The team used the X7 xDrive40i as a basis, which is powered by BMW’s 250kW 3-litre straight six turbopetrol motor, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

And don’t expect to throw bricks, cement and garden refuse into the back of this one - the handcrafted load bin is finished in fine-polished teak wood - although that didn’t stop the team from throwing a BMW F 850 GS into the back.

With the tailgate closed the bin has a loading length of 140cm and boasts handgrips made from SLS 3D pressure parts, the creation of which took some technical precision on the part of trainees.

https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/late...an-x7-double-cab-bakkie-just-for-fun-28715560
 
You Know They Want This

If you want a glimpse at the future of BMW, don’t look at the hybrid i3 and i8. Don’t look at the new 3 Series. Gaze instead at the BMW X7 truck concept, an actual thing designed by real people that you know BMW wants to make. It is the natural conclusion of things. I refuse to believe it’s not inevitable.

This is not a rendering. It’s not a crazy mockup made by some artist on the internet. It’s a real vehicle made by a team of a dozen BMW Group vocational trainees for the company’s Motorrad Days, which is why it’s so adept at transporting motorcycles.

BMW says it’s a fully functional, road-legal show car, and something those trainees may take camping in the mountains or something. It’s a BMW X7 xDrive40i, meaning it has the new 3.0-liter turbo inline-six putting out 335 horsepower.

It has a slightly longer body than the X7 SUV, but weighs 440 pounds less. The bed area is still relatively short, though, at just 79 inches with the tailgate open.

And remember, BMW is no stranger to making crazy one-off pickup truck concepts; it’s done that through the years with various things, usually 3 Series models, like the E30 and E92.

https://jalopnik.com/you-know-they-want-this-1836130149
 
BMW Boosts X7 Tow Rating

Slight rear-end redesign enables big-rig hauling capability for BMW

Engineers have added a great deal more credibility to the ‘utility’ aspect of BMW’s SUVs, by announcing a 30% increase in towing capacity for the brand’s luxury gravel travel vehicles.

All three of BMW’s new large SUVs – X5, X6 and X7 – have been technically reinforced to meet Australia’s increasingly stringent design rule requirements.

Some of the most stringent homologation requirements in the world are found in the Australian automotive market. BMW realised that its hugely powerful engines available in the X5, X6 and X7 were being underutilised by customers who wanted to tow horseboxes or watercraft.

Responding to the Australian towing regulation challenge was not a momentary decision. Engineers at BMW have been working for nearly five years to find a solution for boosting the tow-capacity of its CLAR platform SUVs.

https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/bmw-boosts-x7-tow-rating/47048/
 
Alpina BMW X7 Will Be The X7 M You Never Asked For

If you want the biggest and most powerful SUV BMW has to offer, you will need to purchase the new X7 M50i xDrive with its 523 hp (390 kW) and 750 Nm of torque.

The twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 will propel the massive machine to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and go all the way to a top speed of 250 km/h.

If rumours are true, then BMW will not be offering a full-blown X7 M but Alpina have the next best thing with their upcoming XB7.

https://www.zero2turbo.com/2019/07/alpina-bmw-x7-will-be-the-x7-m-you-never-asked-for.html

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BMW X7 too subtle? Tuner hands bold bodykit to flagship SUV

The latest BMW X5 has already received oodles of attention from tuners (remember “The Boss” from German firm AC Schnitzer?). Now, however, the folks at Russian firm Paradigm have gone to work on the X7, handing Munich’s flagship SUV a bespoke body kit.

The package comprises various carbon-fibre items matching the body’s paintwork, with the most notable revision to the largest of the X-badged line-up being the blacked-out signature kidney grille.

Adding to its imposing stance are a fresh front spoiler and chunky side skirts. At the rear, the X7 you see here is fitted with a roof-mounted spoiler, plus a similar (but smaller) item sited on the split tailgate above the BMW roundel.

Now riding lower to the ground, the Paradigm-fettled BMW X7 is equipped with 24-inch alloys, which are finished in a silver hue and wrapped in low-profile rubber.


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The poor designers of that bakkie... The didn't know what to do when it came to the tail lights ... :sick:
 
BMW X7 M50d (2019) Review

Fast Facts

Price: R1 862 308 (August 2019, without options)
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cylinder quad-turbodiesel
Gearbox: 8-speed auto
Fuel economy: 7.3 L/100 km (claimed)
Power/Torque: 294 kW/760 Nm
Performance: 0-100 kph in 5.4 seconds (claimed)

Price and warranty (August 2019)

The BMW X7 M50d is priced at R1 862 308, but because there are myriad (and very tempting) options, most buyers will fork out more than that. Still, we don't think the standard spec is unreasonable, given it includes such niceties as a Harman Kardon surround-sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, active cruise control with a stop&go function, 5-zone climate control, electric roller blinds (in the rear doors) and high-beam assist. The Exclusive package (R108 900) bundles together BMW Laserlight headlamps, 6-seater configuration, Ambient Air package, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround-sound system, CraftedClarity cut-glass interior elements and the panoramic glass sunroof with Sky Lounge.

Of the standalone optional extras, we liked the leather fascia finish (R23 200), and front plus rear seat heating (R9 700) in particular. Needless to say, all X7 derivatives come with BMW's 2-year/unlimited km warranty and 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.

Verdict

This particular derivative of the X7 occupies a rarefied spot in the market – one that leaves it without an obvious direct competitor. The new Mercedes-Benz GLS is not yet available and won't offer a similarly powerful engine (at least initially). Audi's SQ7/SQ8 derivatives are not yet available in South Africa and a Range Rover Vogue TD6 is probably the closest offering from the Solihull-based brand, but it offers less power and is more expensive. But even when viewed without the context that a direct rival would provide, the X7 M50d is an exceedingly impressive machine.

The derivative comes with just enough standard features to make the base price seem reasonable (for its market segment), especially when you factor in its considerable power advantage over other first-class SUV contenders. The interior is truly practical, spacious and superbly luxurious, if a little lacking in "status" because it's simply too similar to the X5 in terms of fascia design. But that engine... it gives the X7 M50d a virtually unrivalled combination of performance and efficiency. You'll have to decide about the looks for yourself, but as a ginormous and super-luxurious performance SUV, the X7 M50d ticks the boxes so thoroughly that, in retrospect, the brouhaha about the grille seems nothing more than a storm in a teacup.


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BMW X7 2019 - Does size really matter? - OSV

BMW's X7 will perfectly suit luxury SUV buyers wanting to 'go large. BMW's X7 classily meets the needs of wealthy buyers wanting a super-luxury large SUV and needing to seat up to seven adults.

It's essentially a super-sized X5, but it makes far more of a pavement statement and inside, feels very high-end indeed. If you don't much care what the neighbours think - or perhaps even if you do - then you'd probably quite like one.

 
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