BMW has revealed its new X7, the biggest and most luxurious X model yet. Here's what you need to know about the newcomer.

After seeing the BMW X7 iPerformance concept, it was only a matter of time before a production X7 was revealed. Built alongside the X3, X4, X5 and X6 at BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the BMW X7 is a lot bigger than you'd think. It boasts 7 seats as standard and is5 151 mm long, 2 000 mm wide and 1 805 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 3 105 mm.

BMW saysthe X7 features the largest kidney grilleever fitted to the Munich-based firm's production car and its wheels are suitably gigantic too. The standard units are of the 20-inch variety, while you can option 21- and 22-inch wheels. BMW has fitted the new X7 with a smart xDrive system which can send 100% power to the rear axle.

The main discussion point around the X7 is its 3rd row of seats, which isoptional on the X5, but standard on its big brother. Furthermore, BMW has said that you can fit two individual contoured seats in the 2nd row for a more luxurious feel. The 2nd-row seats can slide forward and back to increase legroom. With all 7 seats being used, the X7 offers 326 litres of luggage capacity, which increases to a maximum of 2 120 litres when the 2nd and 3rd row of seats are folded down.

Air suspension is fitted as standard, and the car can be lowered to make loading into the bayeasier. Much like the BMW X5, the X7 features a 2-section split tailgate which is electronically controlled.Other notablefeatures are the heated seats for the 1st and 2nd row, 3-part panoramic roof, digital dashboard and10-speaker audio.

The cabin of the new BMW X7. Note the digital dashboard.

In terms of engines, BMW has equipped the new X7 with an array of powerplants and all derivatives come equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission and the firm's xDrive all-wheel-drive system. There is the xDrive50i, xDrive40i and for thosewho wanta turbodiesel model, thexDrive30d and an M50d M Performance model.

Thetwin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 50i delivers 331 kW and 650 Nm and thesingle-turbo 3.0-litre inline-6 40i pushes out 265 kW and 500 Nm. On the turbodiesel side, the 30d's3.0-litre inline 6 has peak outputs of 195 kW and 620 Nm, while theM50d'saquad-turbo 3.0-litre inline-6churns up294 kW and 760 Nm!

The BMW X7 also boasts an array of advanced technical features such as autonomous safety and a BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, which the brand claims will "learnroutines and habits, and is subsequently able to apply them in the appropriate context. It helps the driver, learns their preferences and is familiar with the settings they like to have for the seat heating, for example, or the places they driveto frequently." If you're driving alone, the assistant will also provide casual conversation…

BMW says its new X7 will go on sale globally next year, and the South African market will be getting thexDrive30d and M50dderivatives around March 2019.

BMW X7 Price in South Africa

BMW X7 xDrive30d R1 562 849

BMW X7 M50d R1 862 308

View the BMW X7's launchvideo below:

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BMW X7iPerformanceConcept Revealed?