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First-ever BMW X7 brings rival to Range Rover

BMW has added a new flagship X7 model to its SUV line-up to bring the fight to the Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz GLS.

BMW X7

BMW X7

On sale from April priced from £72,155, the new seven-seater puts the focus on practicality and versatility while also bringing “unrivalled” luxury, like that seen in the 7 Series, to the large 4×4 segment.

Practical features include two full-size seats in the third row with the option of two individual seats for the middle row instead of the standard bench. Middle-row seats – either bench or individual – can also slide forwards and back electrically and tilt forwards to aid third-row access.

Boot space ranges from 326 to 1,210 litres while standard air suspension allows the car to be lowered at the touch of a button to make loading easier. The X7 also comes with a two-section split tailgate, both elements of which have electric opening and closing as standard.

Standard equipment includes a three-part panoramic glass roof along with 10-speaker sound system, wireless mobile phone charging, four-zone automatic climate control, part-leather trim, heated seats, a sports leather steering wheel and the BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which includes a Control Display and a fully-digital instrument cluster – each with a 12.3-inch screen. An M Sport model is also available.

Optional features include massaging third-row seats, a glass roof with LED lighting to resemble stars, 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system, and a heated or cooling centre console cupholder plus a dual 10.2-inch touchscreen entertainment display and Blu-ray-compatible DVD player package for the rear seats.

In the UK, three versions are available from launch: a six-cylinder petrol engine for the BMW X7 xDrive40i and a pair of six-cylinder in-line diesels to power the BMW X7 xDrive30d and BMW X7 M50d M Performance models.

The entry-level model is the 261bhp xDrive30d, which brings an official 43.5mpg and 171g/km (provisional) with a 0-62mph time of 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 141mph.

The X7 xDrive40i (priced from £74,155) offers 335bhp and a provisional 32.5mpg combined and 198g/km with a 0-62mph time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 152mph.

At the top of the range is the £87,240 X7 M50d with 395bhp and 40.4mpg and 185g/km. It offers a 0-62mph time of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.

All units are married up an eight-speed Steptronic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive while an M Sport differential is fitted as standard on the BMW X7 M50d and in conjunction with the optional Off-Road package.

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.