BMW X7, the grandpapa of everything that starts with X under the blue-white propeller badge, was launched today. The first-ever SUV equivalent of the flagship 7 Series sedan, the X7 is of local manufacture.

Firepower comes from a 3.0L straight-6 turbocharged motor available in both spark and compression ignition formats. The xDrive 40i petrol motor mobilises 340 hp and 450 Nm, while the xDrive 30d makes 265 hp and 620 torques. The engines come mated to BMW’s standard 8-speed Steptronic gearbox that duties on, well, all their other cars. The four-wheel-drive system is standard and comes equipped with adjustable pneumatic suspension and various driving modes too.

If cars could be bodybuilders, the X7 would be one of the few to enlist. The very sculpted front end is marked by the presence of a large twin-kidney grille that is flanked by sleek-looking LED headlamps with the BMW Laserlight blue elements. The fog lights sit in sculpted housings in the bumper and are highlighted by inverted L-shaped trim pieces. The rear is as unassuming as the front is imposing. Sleek wraparound tail lamps sit elegantly at the ends of a chrome strip that underlines all badges. The electrically operated tailgate sits neatly above the rear bumper that houses twin exhaust tips around sparse hints of a skid plate. The Design Pure Excellence (DPE) package further enhances the look of the car by employing aesthetic finishes to both the exterior and interior.

The spacious cabin has three rows of seats, and the X7 can either be had as a 6-seater or a 7-seater. The all-electric instrumentation includes two 12.5-inch screens, one of which is the instrument cluster, and the other, the infotainment system featuring BMW OS 7.0 along with navigation, smartphone connectivity and miscellaneous controls. Adding to the driver experience are the 3-panel sunroof and a 16-channel Harmon Kardon sound system along with ambient lighting. The middle row gets two 10.2-inch touchscreens too.

In terms of practicality, the X7 comes with a comfort access system that allows automatic unlocking of the split tailgate. The truck is ample too, with up to 21210 litres of space to be had by folding the second and third rows.

Safety-wise, the X7 gets 6 airbags, attentiveness assistance, dynamic stability control, cornering brake control, incline assistance, side-impact protection and electronic immobilisation to name a few.

The BMW X7 retails at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 98.90 lakh, and reservations have commenced.