BMW X7 x Drive30D Touts Pure Performance One Expects From A Proper Flagship
The number seven is sacred, critical and indispensable. It holds high esteem in biblical terms as seven is God’s number, signifying what forms part of perfection. The world was created in six days, and on the seventh day God rested. Many people consider seven a lucky number. Our short term memory can usually only remember seven unique bits of information. What’s more, the typical telephone number is also comprised of seven digits, seven as a prime number is divisible only by one and by itself, a cornerstone to the whole logic of numbers, being an integral part of a whole.
So seven signifies power.
When BMW named their flagship Sports Activity Vehicle as the X7, the pressure was massive to ensure that such a vehicle was worthy of carrying the legendary numeral. Indeed, the BMW 7-Series executive limousines have enjoyed great success, spanning a glorious 44 years and sixth generations. But will the same success translate to a lifted vehicle catering to a new world that puts less emphasis on being the Ultimate Driving Machine, chasing instead to flex exotic destinations in a luxurious and capable vehicle, the primary purpose being to garner more likes on social media?
Purists and cynics have a right to worry that the brand has diluted the purity of its ethos. On paper, there just seems to be so much wrong about BMW’s SAVs in general (X1 X2, X3, X4, X5, X6 and now the X7). Has BMW lost its marbles?
Thankfully, BMW hasn’t lost the plot. The blue and white roundel from Munich has successfully migrated the regality of the hallowed 7er limousine into the SAV, delivering, space, pace and refinement one expects from a proper flagship.
And because the flagship BMW SAV will lead a dual-life of chauffeur-driven and owner-driven depending on the day, time and mood of its owner, it offers much in the way of technology aside from a very reassuring and familiar driving feel that can only be described as a BMW.
The X7 is powered by BMW’s ubiquitous B57D30 twin-scroll / twin-power turbocharged diesel engine, outputting 256hp and a tsunami generating 620 Newton-Meters of torque. Power is delivered to all four wheels via the xDrive all-wheel drive system through a ZF8HP 8-speed automatic transmission. Despite the heft 2,370kg weight, the X7 feels light and agile on its feet, a true athlete. Thanks to BMW’s CLAR modular chassis architecture, the X7 uses a mix of lightweight steel alloys and aluminium to help pare weight down and keep the dynamism BMW’s are known for. The adaptive self-leveling air suspension utilizes a double-wishbone front setup and a multi-link rear layout. It can be raised or lowered by 40 mm (1.6 in) and will automatically lower the car by 20 mm (0.8 in) at speeds of over 138 km/h (86 mph) for better stability, a lower centre of gravity and improved aerodynamics. It also rides on beautiful 21-inch wheels shod with high-performance H/T Pirelli P-Zero tires in a supercar sized 285/45R21. Behind the gorgeous Style 753 Y-shaped alloy wheels reside equally large multi-piston calipers clamping down on sizeable dinner-plate sized rotors to capably haul down the X7 to a halt, repeatedly and drama-free. The lack of typical traffic helped me enjoy the most out of the X7, allowing me to bring it to Tagaytay three times, savoring its stealthy high-speed cruising nature on the expressway, and its breath-taking agility on tight winding roads in and around Cavite., Laguna and even parts of Batangas. Fuel consumption was an impressive 8.2km/liter in the city and 14km/liter on the highway. I say not bad considering its size, heft, and the exuberant and inspired driving manner by which I savored the X7. This in a package that allows you to haul 326 liters in the trunk, or an enormous 2,210 liters with the last two seat rows folded away.
But as a discerning owner, the inside matters just as much: soft close doors welcome you inside, with vanity shades to give you added privacy available for the rear windows. The soft Merino black leather seats are plush and comfortable, and there’s a massive amount of legroom available for the second-row occupants with seats that tilt and slide. There’s a five-zone climate control to help you relax, and matching heated / cooled cupholders will also ensure your beverages are at the right temperature for your enjoyment. BMW’s latest iDrive multimedia infotainment system with Live Cockpit Professional interface allows you to make the most of enjoying your mobile media device wirelessly via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Prefer to soak in silence and enjoy the scenery? The panoramic glass roof helps bring you even closer to al fresco motoring while protecting you from the elements. A 360-degree camera view is handy in tight parking slots because you will have a tendency to misjudge the X7’s hefty dimensions, thanks to how responsive and immediate it feels on the highway. But ease into a typical modern condominium carport and you will appreciate all the help you can get. As with any technological Teuton, the X7 is packed with safety features: six airbags as standard, traction / stability control, ABS-EBD brakes with emergency brake assist, the aforementioned xDrive all-wheel drive which gives it assurance on slippery conditions, hill-descent control to explore your estate, and more.
Seven days is not nearly enough to scratch the surface of the X7’s strengths. Expensive, but worth every single penny for the well-heeled. BMW’s flagship SAV can rightfully carry the ‘7.’
