BMW’s current X7 probably won’t get the chance to blow eight candles off its birthday cake, as the automaker is expected to introduce the next-generation before the end of the year.
That’s what a part of the rumor mill says, as there is also the possibility that the new one will debut sometime in 2027. After all, it will launch as a 2028 model year in the United States of America. And if you’ve paid close attention to our Spyshot section, then you already know a lot of things about it. The rendering crowd has done a great job at peeling off the fake skin in a realistic way, so there are no surprises left. Or that’s what we think, anyway.
Our latest encounter with the upcoming BMW X7 came through the prototype shown in the gallery. Captured by our vigilant man with the cam while it was undergoing testing at the Nurburgring, lapping the (in)famous German racetrack at high pace, it is not ordinary X7. The quad exhaust tips and a slightly sportier exterior compared to the regular versions scooped recently tell us that we are likely looking at the superior M60 version.
Set to replace the current BMW X7 M60i, the all-new one will drop the “i” from its suffix, and it is expected to retain its V8 recipe. It is likely the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged unit with no electrical assistance, and it will be interesting to find out how much it will put out. Some say that it might kick out a little over 600 horsepower and perhaps 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque, or about the same as the new X5 M60e. The numbers, however, come from different directions.
Photo: SH Proshots
You see, while the M60e version of the latest X5 features a 3-liter inline-six with forced induction and an electric motor fed by a 26.5 kWh battery pack, the X5 M60 will get a twin-turbo V8 with no electric assistance. And no, the M60 won’t be the range-topping version of the new-gen BMW X5 family, as that one will be the X5 M, understood to launch with a PHEV V8, similar to the one of the M5 that has 717 hp in total, and hits 62 mph (100 kph) in 3.5 seconds.
Speaking of range-toppers, Alpina should also work its magic on the next-generation X7. Therefore, the M60 won’t sit at the top of the family. The current Alpina XB7 packs a twin-turbo 4.4L V8 with 631 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque, hitting 60 mph (97 kph) in just 3.9 seconds from a standstill. As for the current X7 M60i, it also has a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 that features mild-hybrid assistance, and is good for 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque.
BMW’s official website reveals that the current 2027 BMW X7 M60i has an MSRP of $115,000, whereas the 2027 Alpina XB7 starts at $156,000. The xDrive40i version sits at the bottom of the range, priced from $87,500. This model features a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six with mild-hybrid assistance that develops 375 hp and 398 lb-ft (540 Nm) of torque, and does 0-60 mph (0-97 kph) in 5.6 seconds. Expect more oomph from these models’ direct successors, as well as slightly higher starting prices.
Photo: SH Proshots
In terms of design, the upcoming BMW X7 will pretty much look like an evolution of the current one, at the front at least. That’s great news for those who do not fancy the company’s Neue Klasse design language. The model will feature redesigned headlights, separate daytime running lights above them with a slimmer look, a pair of normal-sized kidney grilles, and a generous air intake in the middle of the bumper.
Out back, it won’t be that pretty, this writer thinks, as it will feature the oversized taillights. If it is anything like the smaller X5 from the latest generation, then the all-new X7 won’t feature a split-opening tailgate anymore. The X5’s wing-like door handles will be present on the new X7. The pillar-to-pillar display should be found inside, stretching at the bottom of the windshield, alongside a quirky-looking steering wheel, and likely the same infotainment screen and front passenger display as the X5.
As you already know, the new-generation BMW X7 will face stiffer competition in the full-size luxury SUV segment, as besides the likes of the Mercedes GLS and Cadillac Escalade, it will also take on the first-ever Audi Q9. That’s right, the four-ring brand finally has a rival in this class, and it is its biggest and most expensive yet. And if you must know, the SQ9 features a V8 engine.
Are you excited about the arrival of the second-generation BMW X7? And would you get this model over one of its direct rivals? Tell us all about it in the comments section below, and don’t forget the check out the latest scooped prototype in the gallery before you do.