BMW X7 xDrive40i Launched In Malaysia – From RM 888,800

BMW’s first three-row seat SUV is now available in Malaysia. Only one variant is available – the X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence, which can be ordered either as a six- or a seven-seater.

Power comes from a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbocharged direct injected petrol engine producing 340 hp and 450 Nm. The longitudinal engine is paired to an 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive transmission.

The X7 is imported from Spartanburg, USA – the same plant that also makes the X5 (from RM640,000). Priced from RM 888,800, the X7 is technically in the same segment as the Slovakia-made Audi Q7 (from RM 599,900 for a 3.0-litre V6 TFSI quattro), but the huge price gap between the two makes such comparison moot.

The price announced today is for the seven-seater version. Retail price for the six-seater variant is to be announced later but BMW Group Malaysia says it won’t differ a lot.

The next closest three-row seat luxury SUV is the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, coming to Malaysia in the form of the previous generation GLS 400 4Matic at RM 890,000. An all-new GLS-Class has already been announced but that model is not yet available here in Malaysia.

The X7 is best seen as an even more luxurious, taller riding alternative to the 7 Series, which now starts from RM 594,800 (for the 740Le Plug-in Hybrid).

The huge gap in prices between the X7 and 7 Series is not only because the former is positioned higher, but also because the 740Le is locally-assembled.

Compared to the long wheelbase 7 Series, the X7 is 87 mm shorter. Of course, to balance its increased ride height (1,805 mm tall), the X7 is 98 mm wider.

Viewing the car up close, we honestly think that the car looks a lot better than our first impression formed from looking at pictures. Such is the nature of today’s cars with their complex lines and curves, whose effects cannot be appreciated in a two-dimensional picture.

It’s the same with the new 7 Series, which was also launched today. It’s actually not as bad as critics say it is.

The fact that our local specification X7 is equipped with a more graceful Pure Excellence package also helps. The Pure Excellence trim suits the large kidney grille better than the M Performance package offered in other countries.

Standard equipment for the X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence includes:

• BMW Laserlight headlamps
• 21-inch light alloy wheels in Y-spoke style 753 Bicolour
• Soft closing doors
• Two-axle air suspension
• Executive Drive Pro chassis control (active anti-roll bar)
• Crafted Clarity handmade diamond-cut interior trim (gear selector, volume control, Start/Stop button and iDrive Controller)
• Fine-wood trim surfaces framed with electroplated accent trims
• BMW Live Cockpit Pro 12.3-inch instrument panel
• Heads-up Display
• Infotainment with Apple CarPlay support, Gesture Control, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (‘Hey BMW’ voice command)
• Rear Entertainment Professional system (2x touch screen display)
• 16-speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound System
• Five-zone automatic air conditioning
• Electric roller side blinds
• Panorama Roof Sky Lounge with LED lighting
• Parking Assistant Plus with hands-free parallel parking
• 360 degree camera, Reversing Assistant with hands-free reversing out of tight spots
• Driving Assistant Professional – adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist, front collision warning with brake intervention, Emergency Stop Assistant, Evasion Aid, and Crossroads warning with city braking function

The second and third row seats are electrically adjustable but unlike Japanese seven-seaters, the X7’s second row seats don’t fold or tumble forward to allow for more room when accessing the third row. Instead, the X7’s second row seats merely tilt forward.

Behind, the boot has a 325-litre capacity with the seats up. With the third row seat’s backrest folded down, cargo capacity can be increased to 2,120 litres.  The tailgate is a powered split-opening type (yes, both the top and bottom), thus making it easier to open in tight parking spaces.

Although prices have been announced, the X7 won’t be available in local BMW showrooms until September.

Find the best deals for new BMW vehicles here.