2023 BMW X7 USA Facelift, New Hydrogen Concept
2023 BMW X7 – The BMW X7 has garnered a number of positive reviews from around the motor world, with the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) only officially made it to dealers and markets around the world in March this year. BMW is thinking a few years ahead on the next step for their flagship SAV, and some sources say that the future is hydrogen.
BMW has been banking on their experience for years with hydrogen technology along with Toyota, and that the German brand already has a solid idea of what it needs in the X7 come 2023.
2023 BMW X7 USA Facelift, New Hydrogen Concept
The plan is to have an electric-powered X7 with hydrogen thrown in, acting as an alternative power source once the power has run out. Basically, our guess is that it sounds like the X7 will be marketed as electric but with the benefit of hydrogen as a fuel source that expands its range.
The BMW X7 seems to have just arrived but a big facelift is already on the way for the flagship SUV, as evidenced by the recent sighting of a camouflaged prototype.
The facelift will serve as a mid-cycle refresher, which in BMW tradition we should see introduced in 2022 as a 2023 model.
That’s also when BMW will introduce the next-generation 7 Series, and the facelift for the X7 will help align the SUV style with the more radical look pegged to the next 7 Series.
BMW finally shook up its style, under the guidance of Domagoj Dukec who took the design reins at BMW in 2017. The first BMW to be fully influenced by the Bugatti Veyron designer was the latest 4 Series.
2023 BMW X7 Redesign
The X7 face will be completely revised, with new headlights and a new grille well on the cards. With the Headlights positioned lower, that should result in a more sinister and brooding look, while the grille kidneys that join the current X7 can be shared with this facelift.
Hydrogen power is not lost on BMW, and that is why they should have chosen the X7 for this task; expensive to start and not a mass-produced model on a scale say, the 2 Series Gran Tourer.
The same website also states that this X7-equipped hydrogen will throw away the third row, and will only be equipped with five seats and with all creature comforts.
While the focus has been on pure electric vehicles for some time now, other automakers have been working hard trying to get costs down and the perfect application for hydrogen platforms in the future. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens in the next few months.
Changes at the back tend to be less dramatic and will likely consist of a new lower fascia and possibly some tweaks to the internal lights.
It’s possible the interior is also updated with technology designed for the next 7 Series that we hear will also mark a big step in luxury compared to the current generation.
2023 BMW X7 Powertrain
It’s unclear what BMW plans for powertrains. The X7 currently offers inline-6 and V-8 options, including a high-performance V-8 in Alpina models. Plug-in hybrid options are likely, but the jury is still out on whether the X7 battery-electric is planned.
Production of the X7 is handled exclusively at BMW’s plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and this will also be the case for the latest version. Stay forward to updates as development continues.
