2018 BMW X7 spy pics

BMW’s entrant in to the large luxury SUV market, the X7, has been spotted testing on German roads

The X7 will the largest SUV produced by the Bavarian carmaker and will be its answer to the likes of the Audi A8, Range Rover and Mercedes GLS-class.

While the camouflage doesn’t reveal too much detail, its sheer size is plainly evident. You can also make out its family resemblance to its smaller stablemates including the BMW X5 and X6.

But while it shares the same, albeit lengthened, platform as the other two, BMW reportedly insists it won’t simply be an stretched X5. BMW’s head of UK sales and marketing Mitch Jones told Autocar: “If you put both cars next to each other, the resemblance is small in terms of wheelbase etc. We’re not going to just extend the wheelbase, it’s a complete new panel cell.”

No word of what will be under the bonnet yet, but it’s expected to share engines with the X5 and X6, including the mainstay 280kW/740Nm 3.0-litre turbo diesel and 330kW/650Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V8. A hybrid version is also expected.

The X7 will be built at the Spartanburg in South Carolina alongside all of BMW’s other crossovers, except for the German-built X1.

While primarily destined for the US and Chinese markets, BMW Australia has previously confirmed to Wheels that the BMW X7 will be making its way to Australia.

The BMW X7 will make its international debut late in 2017 ahead of a global rollout the following year.