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BMW’s flagship X7 gets a realistic CGI based on spy shots
BMW is gearing up to replace the current X7, which first rolled off the line in 2019 and received a mid-cycle refresh in 2022. Spy photographers have already caught multiple prototypes of the second-generation X7, and a new set of highly detailed renderings — created by digital artist @kelsonik and informed by those spy shots — gives us a strong sense of what to expect when the new flagship SUV debuts as a 2028 model.
Design: evolution more than revolution
The render suggests the new X7 won’t be a radical departure from the outgoing model. Instead, BMW appears to be taking an evolutionary approach: the silhouette is cleaner, the wheel arches a touch more boxy, and the overall profile is more refined. You’ll still recognize BMW’s split-light signature up front, but with a fresh twist.
- Wider daytime running lights that sweep from the fender toward a taller kidney grille
- Smaller main headlamp clusters tucked below the DRLs
- A hood that resists the clamshell trend, keeping a more traditional single-piece layout
The central bumper shows a wide air intake that’s shorter in height compared with today’s X7, with larger side inlets and tighter trim details. Side sculpting is more restrained, and door lines appear simplified for a premium, less busy look. At the rear, the taillights appear influenced by the XM’s styling and the bumper adopts a sportier stance with a more aggressive diffuser — not extreme, but noticeably bolder than the current model.
Function and practicality
According to the spy-inspired render, BMW retains the X7’s split-opening tailgate. One tangible change: the rear license plate is moved from the tailgate to the bumper — a small but important tweak that affects how the liftgate integrates with the rear styling and potentially the camera and sensor packaging.
Market positioning and rivals
BMW will continue to position the X7 against full-size luxury three-row SUVs such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Cadillac Escalade, and the upcoming Audi Q9. The X7 has always been about combining expansive interior space with refined driving dynamics, and the new generation seems set to sharpen that balance while refining the visual language — particularly with mild Neue Klasse influences that don’t overwhelm the car’s personality.
Powertrain and performance (speculative)
BMW hasn’t released technical specs yet. Expect a similar lineup to today’s X7: turbocharged six-cylinders, a range-topping V8 in M-or-M-derived variants, and electrified options such as mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid configurations. BMW’s broader shift toward the Neue Klasse architecture suggests new electrification technologies and improved efficiency, though a fully electric X7 variant has not been confirmed.
"It looks like a confident evolution — modernized, but not overstyled," says one industry observer. That sums up the render well: tasteful updates rather than headline-grabbing changes.
When will it arrive?
The current expectation based on multiple sources is a 2027 debut for the new X7, making it a 2028 model year vehicle. Between now and then we’ll likely see additional test mules, more spy photos, and BMW announcements that will fill out trim, tech, and powertrain details.
Highlights:
- Realistic render based on verified spy shots by @kelsonik
- Evolutionary styling with cleaner profile and revised lighting
- Split tailgate retained; license plate moved to bumper
- Aimed squarely at GLS, Escalade, and Audi Q9 competition
Whether you prefer the outgoing X7 or this updated look will come down to taste. The render shows a tasteful, contemporary large luxury SUV that modernizes signature BMW cues without going OTT. If BMW can match the refreshed design with improved interior tech and efficient powertrains, the next X7 could be one of the stronger players in the full-size luxury SUV segment.
Source: autoevolution
Comments
mechbyte
Is this even real or just photoshop? Spy mules say 2027 but BMW loves surprises. Moving the plate to the bumper, clever or annoying? if it's real...
v8rider
Wow ok this actually grows on me... cleaner lines but still BMW. Curious about that taller grille, hope they keep the V8 roar, not just hybrids lol
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