Everyone's discussion of the domestic long wheelbase X5 is not over, BMW once again released a blockbuster new car - the new X7, once again detonated the BMW topic.
So, what happened to the X7 after the mid-term revamp? As BMW's current true flagship SUV, is the X7 still competitive in the face of the long-wheelbase X5? Is it worth buying?
Let's take a look at this new car today.
First of all, the changes in the body size of the new X7 are relatively small, perhaps affected by the change in styling design, the body length of the new X7 is reduced by 1mm to 5162mm, and the body height is reduced to 1819mm, but the data directly related to the spatial performance such as body width and wheelbase have not changed.
The styling changes are the most prominent, with the largest change in the previous face shape.
The narrow LED headlights of the old model were replaced with a new split style, of which the upper part was a slender LED light strip, and the internal design was shaped like an angel's eye, which was responsible for the work of daytime running lights and turn signals.
The main light source is integrated into the simpler rectangular cavity below.
It is said that this design is to "hide" the main lights of the headlights, so that the slender and delicate daytime running lights are more easily highlighted.
However, in the official picture, the main lamp of the headlight, although blackened, is still very conspicuous.
Models with M sports kits can form a "7" black decoration with headlights on both sides of the front, but the position of the main lamps can still be easily identified due to the obvious difference in reflective characteristics between the lampshade and the black paint trim panels.
At a time when domestic consumers are gradually adapting to large nostrils, BMW once again challenges consumers' receptivity with a new design style.
Fortunately, this time the nose of the modified X7 did not increase the area again as the netizens ridiculed, and only the split headlights that consumers need to absorb and adapt to.
In addition, everyone can fully regard the X7 in the medium term as the "warm-up" model of the next new flagship sedan i7 to play the outpost, because in the near future, the i7 will also be released, and this new flagship sedan will adopt this set of design ideas.
Compared with the new car shape that people imagined only through the vague shadow in the trailer, they began to complain, and now they can get the real look of the new design ideas through the X7; perhaps after a period of in-depth understanding, more people will be ready to accept the new image of the i7.
In addition to the change in external styling, the powertrain has also been upgraded.
The 3.0T engine of the 40i model has increased the maximum output horsepower from 340Ps to 380Ps, the increase has reached 40Ps, and the acceleration of 0-60mph (96km/h) takes only 5.6 seconds, which is very powerful.
As for the top-of-the-line M60i, the maximum horsepower output of the 4.4T V8 engine has reached 639Ps, which is much stronger than the M50i with the maximum horsepower of 530Ps sold in China.
However, whether this top-level high-performance version can be introduced is still unknown.
Inside the carriage, the central control design has also been greatly changed.
The new interior design style highlights the accentuation of the mood light on the visual appearance of the carriage, and reinforces the sophistication and high-end feel of the carriage with wrap-around silver trim strips and larger areas of paint/wood grain/carbon fiber trim panels.
However, the most eye-catching is the suspension of the dual screen, this 12.3-inch LCD meter + 14.9-inch central control large screen is an important feature of the latest iDrive 8 system.
According to the previous experience of using the pure electric SUV - iX, under the blessing of wireless CarPlay and more mature gesture control, voice control and better UI design, the professor believes that this iDrive 8 operating system has a leading performance in mainstream luxury brands.
This system will gradually be put into other BMW models in the next time, and this system will bring a huge upgrade to the sense of technology and intelligence of BMW's models.
From this point of view, the medium-term modification of X7 is still very large, and most of the targets are also directly related to the experience such as power and technology, which seems to be very sincere.
But in the professor's view, the new X7 is in a slightly awkward position in the Chinese market.
Earlier, the listing of the domestic long wheelbase X5 made the X7 no longer bmw's longest wheelbase model, and the domestic version of the X5 could be "on an equal footing" with it.
Therefore, the X7 can only form an advantage over the X5 in terms of body length and height data, and open the gap in power performance with a high-power 3.0T engine.
But for those planning to buy a large luxury SUV, the momentum of rapidity may not be just needed, and the luxury experience in the back row may be more valuable.
The 3105mm wheelbase can provide the X5 with far more than mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q7 and other opponents of the car space, creating a more atmospheric, spacious and luxurious rear experience.
It was even able to beat the X7, which comes standard with three rows of seats, and gained the upper hand in terms of comfort and luxurious atmosphere.
If what you need is a large-size luxury SUV that can bring a luxury rear, then the domestic X5, which is more than 200,000 yuan cheaper than the X7 (compared to the price of the current X7), will indeed be more fragrant.
But the X7 is still the real flagship after all, compared to the X5, which has more of a sporty atmosphere, the former is more stable in image; the million-level aura is always not covered.
As a special model with image blessing, this image gap will inevitably become a selling point.
In addition, the professor had to assume that there would be wealthy families who would choose a large-size luxury SUV to use as a family car.
As a large SUV with three rows of seats as standard, the X7 also has the ability to become a luxury family car. The 5162mm body length sets the stage for a more practical third row.
Yes, under the absolute body length advantage, the third row of the X7 can be used normally (the picture is the current X7).
In this segment with a lot of space, there seems to be only one model that can compete head-on with the BMW X7 - Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Compared with the X7, a young flagship, GLS is a veteran who has been working in the luxury market for many years.
Mercedes-Benz obviously understands the needs of flagship SUV users, and brings a strong aura through a thicker mesh trim and a simple and square body.
And in terms of interior design style, GLS is not as innovative as the new X7; in addition to Mercedes-Benz's iconic double screen, there is not much to show the sense of technology, but more leather and trim to create a traditional luxury atmosphere.
The 5218mm body length and the 3135mm wheelbase also form a significant advantage for the X7, but on the low-to-mid-range models at the same price, Mercedes-Benz will provide slightly less comfort.
Moreover, although the new X7 has the maximum horsepower of 380Ps, while the Mercedes-Benz GLS "only" has two power versions to choose from, 313Ps and 367Ps, the X7 has certain advantages in terms of power performance.
In terms of suspension and four-wheel drive system tuning style, BMW X7 will pay more attention to the driving experience of paved roads, which can bring more driving pleasure, while Mercedes-Benz will pay more attention to some non-paved road passability and rear riding comfort than BMW.
Therefore, from a comprehensive point of view, BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS are bound to fight each other in the large luxury SUV market.
However, if you need a car that can take the whole family on the road and can also take into account the rich aura, then the professor thinks the X7 will be a better choice.
Write at the end
The threat of leapfrogging of the same door long-axle model, a powerful opponent that should not be taken lightly, BMW X7 will face a more severe test after the mid-term redesign.
But the professor is still full of expectations for this new car, after all, it is BMW's most advanced SUV, and who does not like the flagship product?