Three-row BMW X7 to land in Australia from $120k

The largest BMW ever is on its way to Australia. Measuring in at 5.15 metres in length, two metres wide and 1.8 metres high – and that’s before you’ve seen the mega kidney grille – the 2019 BMW X7 will make quite an impact when it hits Australian roads in May.

Based on the X7 iPerformance concept from 2017, the production car will arrive in Australia in two diesel six-cylinder grades shared with the new X5. The X7 has good levels of standard specification, with both cars featuring two-axle air suspension, a panoramic sunroof, twin 12.3-inch displays and a substantial safety technology suite.

The entry point to the X7 range, the 2019 BMW X7 xDrive30d, will cost $119,990 (driveaway pricing not yet available). This variant produces 195kW/620Nm from its single-turbocharged three-litre inline six-cylinder diesel, fed to an xDrive all-wheel-drive system via an eight-speed ZF torque converter automatic.

Fitted with 20-inch wheels, heated Vernasca leather sports seats, quad-zone climate control, comfort access and soft-closing doors, the xDrive30d is no stripper. Further standard specification takes the form of a head-up display, adaptive LED headlights, a split electric tailgate with gersture activation and a 10-speaker BMW Hi-Fi stereo.

Additionally, both grades come standard with seven USB charge points, in a mixed configuration of USB-A and the new USB-C standard.

Both grades score BMW’s Driving Assistant Professional suite with AEB, adaptive cruise control, front and rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition – and parking the beast is made a little easier with a 360-degree camera.

For an extra fifty grand, BMW will fit another three turbochargers to the diesel six in the form o the 2019 BMW X7 M50d. This quad-turbo M Performance variant makes 294kW/760Nm and cuts the xDrive30d’s seven second 0-100km/h time to just 5.4 seconds.

It isn’t just the outputs that change, though: specification is higher on the M50d, with the premium variant adding bigger 22-inch M light alloy wheels, an M Sport rear diff, M Sport brakes, and M Performance exterior design cues.

Inside, the M50d upgrades to Comfort seats with front row memory, and the second-row headrests are trimmed in Alcantara. The trim switches to Fineline black wood, there’s an additional independent climate zone (taking it to five zones), and a Harmon-Kardon premium stereo. The M50d also picks up BMW’s Laserlight headlights with selective beam.

Some of the M50d’s extra kit can be fitted to the xDrive30d by way of option packs. A ‘Design Pure Excellence’ pack will add 22s, Comfort seats, Fineline wood trim, the Laserlight headlights, and Harmon-Karon stereo. Specification goes even further with Merino leather, stainless steel underbody protection and extended chrome exterior styling.

An M Sport pack is also available for the xDrive30d, which adds 22-inch M wheels, M Sport brakes, shadow line and dark chrome exterior trim, and a black headliner. Both packs include metallic paint.

Individual options will include customisable BMW Individual interior treatments, Merino leather upholstery, five-zone climate, a touchscreen Digital Key, and an off-road package.