![\"Next-Gen](\"https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/img\/gallery\/next-gen-bmw-x7-spied-looking-big-and-blocky-in-electric-ix7-and-v8-powered-m60-forms\/l-intro-1792707312.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nSplit lights, and maybe a split tailgate<\/p>\n
Examining the latest spy shots from the N\u00fcrburgring testing sessions reveals a clear design trajectory. The iX7 prototype is positioned alongside its V8-powered M60 sibling, highlighting how BMW intends to refine its polarizing split-headlight motif. The lighting elements on the upcoming generation appear much more resolved and mature than those found on the current X7, drawing closer stylistic inspiration from the contemporary 7 Series facelift. On the performance-oriented M60 variant, the daytime running lights feature a distinct yellow tint, a signature touch previously observed on upcoming performance models such as the M350 and the iX4 M60. <\/p>\n
Up front, the face is dominated by a pair of tall kidney grilles. The electric iX7 incorporates horizontal vanes within its closed-off grille structure, accompanied by a slim lower bumper intake. Conversely, the V8-powered X7 M60 features a more aggressive front fascia with significantly larger cooling intakes designed to feed its internal combustion powerplant and associated heat exchangers. <\/p>\n
Moving toward the rear, the prototypes showcase wide taillight assemblies featuring a pair of thick, illuminated horizontal lines, with subtle graphic pattern variations distinguishing the electric model from its combustion-powered counterpart. The M60 variant leaves no mystery regarding its propulsion method, displaying a pair of prominent round exhaust tips integrated into each corner of the rear bumper. The iX7, meanwhile, maintains a completely smooth, unbroken rear bumper surface. <\/p>\n One lingering design question involves the rear cargo access. It remains difficult to determine from the heavily camouflaged test mules whether the second-generation X7 will retain the outgoing model’s signature split tailgate. BMW notably removed this feature during the recent redesign of the smaller X5, citing market data suggesting that buyers no longer prioritized the capability. However, industry analysts suggest that a multi-piece tailgate remains a significantly more appealing and functionally appropriate feature on a vehicle of the X7’s substantial physical dimensions.<\/p>\n The luxury of choice<\/p>\n The architectural profile of the upcoming X7 retains a distinctly blocky body shape and greenhouse structure that echoes the first-generation model. However, it incorporates heavily sculpted fenders inspired by modern stablemates like the iX3 and X5, alongside flush, wing-tip-style door handles that mirror the design choices seen on the latest X5. While Audi reportedly experimented with similar flush-handle designs during the early development phases of its upcoming Q7 and Q9 models before ultimately reverting to traditional pull handles to satisfy American consumer preferences, it remains to be seen whether BMW will stick with the flush styling or eventually transition to conventional handles later in the vehicle’s production lifecycle.<\/p>\n When it comes to powertrain options, the second-generation X7 is expected to draw extensively from the mechanical ecosystem shared by the X5 and the 7 Series. Buyers can reasonably anticipate a turbocharged inline-six engine equipped with mild-hybrid technology serving as the baseline entry point for the internal combustion range. Meanwhile, the high-performance M60 variant will continue to fly the flag for traditional displacement by utilizing a powerful twin-turbocharged V8 engine. <\/p>\n Interestingly, unlike equivalent trims found within the smaller X5 and flagship 7 Series lineups, the X7 M60 will reportedly forgo a plug-in hybrid system entirely, a decision that underscores the specific performance and packaging demands of a vehicle this size. On the zero-emission side of the ledger, the iX7 is projected to arrive in multiple variants, universally utilizing a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration aimed at delivering an EPA-estimated driving range that comfortably surpasses the 400-mile threshold. An M Performance variant of the electric iX7 is also anticipated, though enthusiasts yearning for a full-fat, standalone X7 M or iX7 M may need to temper their expectations for the time being. As has become customary for the brand’s ultra-exclusive offerings, a newly developed Alpina XB7 variant is undoubtedly waiting in the wings to satisfy the most demanding clientele.<\/p>\n Given the advanced state of the test mules and the substantial duration these large luxury SUVs have spent undergoing rigorous track and road testing, industry observers expect BMW to officially unveil the second-generation X7 within the coming months. The global market launch is anticipated to see both the battery-electric iX7 and the internal combustion X7 variants debut simultaneously, offering luxury buyers an immediate choice of propulsion without compromising on scale or presence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Despite playing a pioneering role in the luxury crossover segment with the introduction of the first-generation X5 back in 1999\u2014followed by the inaugural X3 in 2003\u2014and subsequently manufacturing hundreds of thousands of sport utility vehicles in the United States every single year, BMW took a remarkably deliberate approach before finally introducing a large, dedicated three-row […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3273,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1389,4915,1390,1391,79,1149,4914,331,2747,4913,482],"class_list":["post-3274","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-automotive","tag-blocky","tag-cars","tag-driving","tag-electric","tag-forms","tag-looking","tag-next","tag-powered","tag-spied","tag-vehicles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tcjsj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3274","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tcjsj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tcjsj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tcjsj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tcjsj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3274"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tcjsj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3274\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tcjsj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tcjsj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tcjsj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tcjsj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Next-Gen](\"https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/img\/gallery\/next-gen-bmw-x7-spied-looking-big-and-blocky-in-electric-ix7-and-v8-powered-m60-forms\/intro-1792707312.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Next-Gen](\"https:\/\/www.jalopnik.com\/img\/gallery\/next-gen-bmw-x7-spied-looking-big-and-blocky-in-electric-ix7-and-v8-powered-m60-forms\/split-lights-and-maybe-a-split-tailgate-1792707314.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n