BMW X7 2023: Australian release date confirmed with 40d, M60i engines, 23-inch wheels

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The 2023 BMW X7 large luxury SUV will be released in Australia in facelifted form in the fourth quarter of 2022 – between October and December of this year.

Aside from the restyled front end – now wearing a new split-headlight design – the 2023 X7 scores significantly upgraded powertrains with fuel-saving and power-boosting mild-hybrid tech, an updated interior and huge optional 23-inch wheels.

On arrival on Australia in the fourth quarter of this year the updated X7 will continue in its role as BMW’s top-shelf SUV, sitting alongside the all-electric iX and M Division’s forthcoming plug-in hybrid XM sports SUV.

Possessing BMW’s coveted ‘7’ branding, the X7 shares DNA with the 7 Series large sedan that is Bavaria’s traditional flagship vehicle and a car that will soon spawn an i7 all-electric variant.

There is no plug-in hybrid X7 or all-electric X7 on the cards for 2023, but both engines use a 48-volt electrical architecture to reduce emissions.

Competing against a growing field of extravagant but undeniably impressive large SUVs, the updated BMW X7 will face off against the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Audi Q7 and Q8, and Lexus LX.

The X7 is offered in Europe with both seven- and six-seat configurations but the availability of the latter option with two captain’s chairs in the second row has yet to be confirmed for the Australian market.

More powerful 48-volt diesel and new V8

BMW will continue to offer the X7 will a choice of two engines with the 3.0-litre straight-six turbo-diesel renamed as the xDrive40d while the 4.4-litre twin-turbo-petrol V8 is a refreshed unit – also used in the new Range Rover – referred to here as the M60i xDrive.

While the engines are familiar the pair now feature a 48-volt mild-hybrid system which is designed to make the X7 more efficient and more refined, with the ability to supply 9kW of power and 200Nm of torque almost instantly. 

The assistance of the mild-hybrid system plus other incremental upgrades have seen the maximum output of the straight-six diesel grow to 259kW and 720Nm – a sizeable increase of 64kW and 100Nm.

The petrol V8 retains its 390kW and 750Nm outputs, with both engines feeding grunt to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system.

BMW says its engineers have also retuned the adaptive air suspension to offer a greater balance between driving dynamics and comfort. 

Split headlights, even more distinctive design

BMW has opted to retain the square grille design of the X7 but updated the daytime running lights with a sharper and thinner split-headlight design while the tail-lights adopt a C-shaped form, similar to the facelifted X3 midsize SUV.

For the first time BMW will offer 23-inch alloy wheels – a first for the Bavarian marque – which will be available as an option but the bulk on the range will likely roll on 22-inch wheels.

The X7 M60i xDrive will be available with quad exhaust pipes while the M Sport package features contrasting grey finishings around the lower and rear bumpers. 

Huge new curved display

The X7 picks up the electric i4 hatchback’s dramatic new curved display for the instrument cluster and central touchscreen, with the two displays coming in at 14.9-inches and 12.3-inches diagonally apiece.

Drivers and passengers alike will continue to be able to use the system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which will work through BMW’s updated Operating System 8.

The instrument panel has been redesigned, with slimmer air vents and a backlit ‘X7’ graphic incorporated into the dash trim – replaced by the M logo for the M60i petrol V8 model.

Buyers will also be able to unlock their X7 via their iPhone if they opt for the BMW Digital Key Plus which is becoming more common on a wide array of cars. 

A complete list of features and pricing will be released closer to the X7’s release date in the fourth quarter of this year.