2023 BMW X7 BMW’s new X7 2023 is not only disrupting exhibitors at Art Basel’s 2021 Miami Beach but the rest of the world with the Concept XM’s 738-horsepower (750 ps) hybrid V8. And it resonates throughout the virtual world as well.
Some quickly made it CGI production-ready, others decided to give it full sustainability and turned the prototype into a possible (future) iXM all-electric high-performance flagship SUV.
Now, virtual artists are starting to explore the possible impact on other model lines.
For example, the automotive graphic designer behind the SRK Designs channel on YouTube continues to use the all-new Concept XM on various Bavarian products.
And, until the newly developed M Hybrid drive system reaches production in a version of the BMW XM series, the German automaker’s current flagship appears to be entirely useful.
2023 BMW X7 Review
With that said, the pixel master decided the company’s X7 might be the perfect candidate for some Concept XM style transfers. However, BMW itself says “The XM Concept provides a first glimpse of a new front-end design for BMW’s upcoming luxury-class models.” Plural, meaning the designs won’t be exclusive to the upcoming “most powerful BMW M car to ever go into series production”.
Anyway, we’ve already seen the all-new X8 and Series 7 prototypes sporting the controversial split-headlight design. Of course, the Concept XM comes with other details that can cause endless polemics.
But the rumors circulating – along with the CGI experts featured here – agree with the idea of the upcoming seven models coming with “interesting” headlight treatments.
As always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But one thing’s for sure: BMW isn’t afraid to keep pushing the boundaries of its design. More importantly,
We should also ask ourselves whether the 2023 X7 M with LCI (Life Cycle Impulse – aka BMW’s fancy nickname for the facelift) will also take on the powertrain DNA of the recently launched Concept XM. And if so, will that appease fans?
2023 BMW X7 M50i
After rumors and renderings about BMW adopting a new split headlight design, recent spy shots of the facelifted X7 prototype surfaced to confirm a bold design direction.
The biggest SUV from Bavaria (by far) has been spotted up close with slightly less mascara than before to reveal a portion of the LED light strip where the hood meets the bumper.
From the looks of it, it’s a daytime running light that doubles as a turn signal like on most modern cars equipped with light-emitting diodes. Located significantly lower on the bumper appears to be the headlight assembly, which in this particular case, has a low beam.
Bear in mind that this somewhat radical look – which resembles the Skoda Kamiq – is coming to not only the X7, but also the next-generation 7 Series and the rumored XM/X8 flagship SUV.
It’s hard to see the finer details due to the test vehicle’s white paint, but our spies told us the hood was different too. They also claim the already large kidney grille will be slightly wider on the facelifted model, which will bring some changes to the rear as well.
While the LED taillights are unlikely to be drastically altered, the quad exhaust finisher is new. The current X7 M50i already has quad exhausts, but each pair is housed in a single finisher whereas this prototype has vertical bars between the ends at both corners of the bumper.
Read next: 2023 BMW M2: All-New Special BMW M2 Specs Review
2023 BMW X7 Changes
In an interview, last month with Autocar, BMW design boss Domagoj Dukec said the new Bavarian design should be “bold and meaningful.” We’re not so sure about the latter in the X7’s case, but the facelifted version would certainly look bold.
While the full-size luxury SUV was far from the first model to adopt split headlamps with a top LED strip for daytime running lights, few saw this coming.
Headlight setups in these modern cars have been around for quite some time, with the second-generation Citroën C4 Picasso launched back in 2013 springing to mind.
Several Skoda SUVs have a similar cluster layout, along with the Hyundai Santa Fe and others, but few expected BMW to go down this path. Not only for the X7, but also the next-generation 7 Series as well as the upcoming flagship X8/XM SUV before the end of the year.
A new (and very unofficial) render from our Russian counterpart on Kolesa.ru tries to digitally remove the disguise to show off the X7’s radical facelift. Whether you think it’s beautiful or ugly, that’s not what good design represents.
We’re not making this up because the words belong to the same head honcho from the design department in a previous interview with Esquire.
The grille will remain as large as before, but won’t be as elongated as it has on other recent BMWs, including the M3, M4, and 4 Series Gran Coupe, plus some EVs.
While the changes up front would be substantial, we expect the derrière to be more of the same, with only subtle changes to the LED graphics of the taillights and new quad exhaust finishers, presumably for the hot M50i.
Additional substantial modifications will be made in the cabin where the X7 will be upgraded to iDrive 8, bringing the screen side by side in the same vein as the new Active Tourer Series 2 minivan and the iX electric SUV.
The facelifted prototype 3 Series has already been spotted with the same setup, and finally, logic tells us that all cars will switch to BMW’s latest infotainment.
The revised BMW X7 is likely to open in 2022, and in the meantime, it will lose its flagship SUV status to the new X8/XM set to launch in the coming weeks.
Rumor has it it will be a model developed by the M division with a hybrid powertrain producing 650 hp.
2023 BMW X7 Specs
It’s unclear what BMW has planned for the powertrains. The X7 currently offers both inline-6 and V-8 options, including the high-performance V-8 in the updated Alpina model as well. A plug-in hybrid option is most likely, but the jury is still out on whether a battery-electric X7 is planned. The vehicle’s CLAR platform is capable of supporting electric powertrains and we know one of them is aimed at the next 7 Series. In fact, the prototype for the electric 7-Series is already being tested.
2023 BMW X7 Redesign
The BMW X7 looks like it just arrived but a major facelift is already on its way for the big SUV, as evidenced by the recent sighting of a disguised prototype.
The facelift will serve as a mid-cycle refresh, which BMW has traditionally had to introduce in 2022 as a 2023 model.
That’s when BMW will introduce the redesigned 7 Series, and a facelift for the X7 will help align the SUV’s styling with the more radical look pegged to the next 7er.
Yes, BMW has finally revamped its style, under the guidance of Domagoj Dukec who took control of design at the automaker in 2017. The first BMW to be completely influenced by the new designer was the new 4 Series.
The face of the X7 will be completely revised, thanks to the split headlamps and a new grille. The headlight unit also appears to be positioned lower, which should result in a more sinister look, while the integrated grille on the current X7 may be split with this facelift.
The new look was previewed on the BMW Concept XM recently, which will spawn a production model later this year. The production XM is expected to be a standalone model for the M division celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022.
But back in the X7, the changes at the rear tend to be less dramatic. There is a new design for the lower fascia and exhaust tips, as well as a slightly revised taillight design.
2023 BMW X7 Interior
Interior spy shots are not available at this time, so it’s unclear at this point whether BMW will give the X7 a new side-by-side display setup from the iX and i4 electric SUVs.
Maybe that’s too big of a change just for a mid-cycle facelift, though recently done by Audi with the revised Q7 losing the tablet-like screen and physical climate control buttons for the two stacked touchscreens.
It’s possible the interior is also updated with technology designed for the next 7 Series which we hear will also mark a big step up in luxury compared to the current generation.
Read next: 2022 BMW X8: New BMW X8 Super Luxury Review and Price
2023 BMW X7 PHEV
Since last summer, the BMW X7 has been available with 48-volt mild hybrid technology in xDrive40i petrol and xDrive40d diesel variants. European media expect it to upgrade and get a new variant with plug-in hybrid technology of the X5 xDrive45e.
The X7 PHEV could be a SULEV (super ultra-low emission vehicle) rated model with the same 389 hp system consisting of a 3.0 liter turbocharged inline-six petrol engine and electric motor. The engine and motor will transmit power to a standard 8-speed automatic transmission.
In the X5 xDrive45e, the plug-in hybrid powertrain makes 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque.
The 20.9 kWh (net)/24.0 kWh (gross) lithium-ion battery pack sits under the floor of the motor-driven SUV, and provides a pure electric range of 30 miles (EPA). With a Level 2 charger, it takes 4-5.3 hours to charge the battery.
According to a report from Autocar, BMW has said that the X7 hybrid should offer an EV mode range of at least 80 km (50 miles), which will require a higher capacity battery to make up for the added weight over the X5.
The company will ensure that the X7 PHEV qualifies for subsidies the Chinese government offers on new energy vehicles that provide a pure electric range of 80 km (50 miles) or more. However, expect the EPA-est. the range becomes lower than the Chinese range figure.
BMW X7 2023 Series
Like it or not, the Concept XM not only showcases its boldly designed namesake production model coming late 2022 but is also a window into BMW’s future designs. We’re specifically talking about the controversial split light setup, which spy shots have revealed that the X7 Life Cycle Impulse and the next-generation 7 Series will also have.
New unofficial renders from SRK Designs envision a facelifted X7 with a new front fascia featuring a top strip of LED daytime running lights positioned just below the hood line.
A separate black panel mounted at the bottom of the bumper houses the main headlights consisting of a low and high beam.
The artist’s interpretation of the 2023 X7 retains the large front grille that is seen peeking through the camouflage applied to the prototype. It’s unclear at this point whether the door handles flush with the bodywork will be fitted to the actual SUV as the test vehicle was seen with a traditional setup.
If we’re betting it won’t be because it would require replacing the body panels and it would be way too expensive for a mid-cycle revision than the new generation.
Say what you want about BMW’s latest design approach, but we have to give credit because Bavarians are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone and try new things.
The Internet consensus is that the latest styling decisions haven’t been well received, but in the end, the sales figures tell the true story.
2023 BMW X7 LCI
The BMW X7 LCI should come out next year along with its Alpina counterpart because the XB7 has also been captured by a professional spy photographer’s camera.
When it arrives, expect slimmer LED taillights with new graphics along with the iDrive 8 featuring a side-by-side display. With the XM also coming in 2022, there’s less chance than ever of seeing a full-fat M derivative from the X7. Logic tells us that the M50i will be used as the flagship version.
Read next: 2023 BMW X3: Next-Gen BMW X3 Redesign, Price and Review
2023 BMW X7 Facelift
BMW offers an extensive lineup and is therefore always working on a facelift or next-generation model. This is especially true in today’s automotive industry with increasingly shorter life cycles. This happens because increasingly fierce competition forces car manufacturers to update their products more often.
The X7 is Bavaria’s biggest SUV and has been spotted hiding its Life Cycle Impulse on German roads where the equivalent Alpina XB7 has also been spotted.
Let’s cut to the chase and talk to the elephant in the room captured in this video from CarSpyMedia. Yes, the full-size luxury SUV in the X7 and XB7 variants will get separate headlight settings. Seems familiar? The XM concept had it first.
The cutout in the camouflage on the front clearly shows the top LED strip for the daytime running lights. The DRL is installed where the front bumper meets the hood, while the other headlights are placed lower, la 8 Series E31.
Furthermore, it seems that the X7 and XB7 will not adopt the giant front grille from the iX electric. That said, it’s big enough, but could be worse if an electric SUV is any indication.
BMW and Alpina camouflaged their prototypes to hide the slightly updated LED taillights. In case you didn’t know by now, the dark gray prototype belongs to manufacturer Buchloe.
One of the BMW prototypes is quite interesting in the sense of showing off a quad exhaust system. This might mean the X7 M50i will adopt a new setup. As a refresher, the M50d no longer exists as its 560 lb-ft (760 Nm) quad-turbodiesel engine was discontinued some time ago.
As for the Alpina, the XB7 has four familiar oval tips in the same vein as the current model.
The man with the camera can’t peek inside where the SUV hides a big secret. The dynamic duo will make the switch to iDrive 8 which was first seen on the iX and i4 before streaming to the 2 Series Active Tourer.
It will bring significant changes to the dashboard by accommodating side-by-side screens housed in a curved greenhouse.
2023 BMW X7 Hybrid
The disguise should be revealed soon as BMW and Alpina will unveil the X7 and XB7 in the guise of a facelift for the 2023 model year. They will have to relinquish their flagship SUV status to the XM with an output of 750 horsepower from the plug-in hybrid V8. At the other end of the spectrum, the entry-level X1 will transition to the next generation and will come with an EV option.
2023 BMW X7 Release Date
BMW X7 2022 Release Date Production of the X7 is handled exclusively at BMW’s factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and this will also be the case with the updated version.
As for when that annoying camouflage will come out, our money is on an official late 2021/early 2022 release.
The high-performance diesel version, the X7 M50d, isn’t coming back as BMW is retiring the quad-turbodiesel engine in favor of the 3.0-liter, straight-six unit codenamed The B57S is too expensive to upgrade to meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations.
2023 BMW X7 Price
The BMW X7 2022 Price treats the XM as its flagship SUV model, ahead of the BMW X7. The starting price of the 2022 BMW X7 M50i, the high-performance version of the X7, is $99,800 MSRP. You can expect the 2023 XM to cost a lot more than that.