BMW X7 breaks cover, to go on sale early 2019

Given the pace at which the German luxury trio - Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz - have been filling niches after niches in the automotive industry, it was quite a miss from the folks at BMW who had nothing in their range to go against Audi's Q7 and Mercedes' GLS. These two, together with Lexus' LX, Volvo's XC90 and Infiniti's QX80, have not just been popular but also very profitable for the respective car-makers. Making a belated entrance then is the all-new X7, BMW's first-ever full-size crossover SUV with three rows of seats. 

Have one good look at the X7 and we bet you'll end up being intimidated. Firstly, the X7 is huge, coming in a whole lot bigger than the X5 and measuring almost the same length as the 7-Series. BMW's flagship sedan is soundly beaten in terms of width and height as well. Secondly, the trademark 'kidneys' up front have grown in size and are massive. Their sizes are further accentuated by thin headlights on either sides. Viewed together, the X7 looks trendy and menacing at once. The profile is conservative featuring a strong shoulder line and a flat window line that appears to have clearly placed function over form. The rear gets slender taillights that are connected by a thick chrome bar and a chiseled tailgate. Chrome embellishments are used extensively with the shiny metal occupying prominent spots all around the vehicle. 

For those that want their rides to look sporty, there's the 'M Sport' package that offers bigger (and, of course, sexier) wheels, upgraded exhaust system and brakes, bumper bars, side skirts and body panels that are devoid of chrome. Some interior bits have changed too in line with the sporty theme this package is supposed to convey.    

In it's standard configuration, the X7 seats seven but if specced with the optional captain's chairs on the second row that comes complete with all the adjustments and settings that the driver and front passenger get, the vehicle seats six. Hardcore BMW fans no longer have to contend with the optional third row in the X5 to accommodate their near and dear.

The interiors, as such, are plush, classy and inviting. Though the design and layout are not very dissimilar to the X5 and other recent BMWs, the X7's cabin exudes a sense of richness unrivaled by the other cars from Bavaria. Two large screens - a digital cluster and an infotainment screen - occupy prime spots in the dashboard while the center stack that's angled towards the driver houses two single rows of neatly-stacked buttons and knobs to control the audio and air-conditioning. The two-tone cream and blue upholstery with those nice and glossy pale brown wooden trims interspersed look fabulous. A three-panel panoramic glass roof is standard as are a ton of creature comforts and safety assists.

High-end equipment on offer include five-zone automatic climate control, Ambient Air package, Bowers and Wilkins Diamond Surround sound system with 20 speakers, soft-close doors, heated armrests, heated and cooled cup holders, gesture control, Siri-like 'Voice Recognition' system that responds to "Hey BMW" command, Rear-seat entertainment and a sunroof with optional embedded LED lights to give that starry sky effect (like a Rolls-Royce, no less!). The list just goes on and on. 

Top notch safety kit on board include Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Driving Assistant Professional with Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Lane Change Warning and Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistant and Side Collision Protection, Evasion Aid, Crossing traffic warning, Priority warning and Wrong-way warning, latest generation of the BMW Head-Up Display, Emergency Stop Assistant and Parking Assistant. 

Powering the X7 are a pair of gasoline engines - a turbocharged 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 447 Nm of torque and a 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 that generates 456 horsepower and 649 Nm of torque. In the few markets where diesel cars are still in demand, BMW offers the option of either a turbocharged 3.0-liter mill that produces 256 horsepower or a quad-turbocharged unit good enough for 400 horsepower. Irrespective of the engine powering the vehicle, transmission duties are handled by a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic gearbox that transmits power to all four wheels. 

All X7s feature a fully-independent suspension with dual wishbones at the front, a five-link setup at the rear and air springs that can raise and lower the ride height as required. Optional off-road package enables selection of xSand, xGravel, xRocks and xSnow driving modes at the touch of a button.

The X7 goes on sale early 2019 and when it does, expect this mammoth BMW to pose an equally mammoth challenge to the segment best-sellers. It's game on, then!

2018 Geneva - BMW unveils the smashing Concept M8 Gran Coupe

Ever since BMW treated us with the gorgeous 8-Series Concept at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy last year, affluent car aficionados worldwide are waiting with bated breath for its launch. Not wanting to let the interest in its upcoming flagship model range wane, the German luxury car-maker sprang a surprise yet again at the ongoing 2018 Geneva Motor Show. 

On display is the menacing Concept M8 Gran Coupe, wearing a stellar-looking dark green paint job! Yes, it’s a concept but there are reasons to be excited about. Hidden under this concept's mask is the bigger, hotter, faster and more desirable 'M' version of BMW's flagship, the 8-Series.

Look past the lovely colour and its clear the M8 Gran Coupe is amongst the best-looking 4-door coupes ever made. Up front, the racy headlights, the contoured hood and the aggressive bumper imparts the M8 Gran Coupe with a menacing stance that looks terrific. The trademark kidney grille gets gold accents, reminding us of classic Alpina models of the past. The racy profile is characterized by the long hood and the falling roofline that does no justice to the two doors at the rear. Headroom is likely to be in severe short supply for those seated there but who cares when we have a car that looks as smashing as this? BMW's surfacing credentials come to the fore at the C-pillar where the roofline and the shoulder line blend beautifully into the boot lid before rising up to serve as a spoiler. Combine that with the slim, darkened taillights and the quad exhausts that cut through the diffuser, you're looking at a dramatic derriere.

Neither the interiors nor the powertrain specifications have been released. If the earlier 8-Series Concept is any indication, the interiors are likely to be several notches better than anything BMW has offered thus far, befitting the car's stature as the brand's flagship. The M5's explosive 4.4-liter V8 with twin turbos is a likely candidate to power the M8 Gran Coupe, albeit in a more powerful state of tune. 

Offering striking looks, unparalleled luxury and dynamic excellence, the M8 Gran Coupe - from BMW's own words - embodies a new facet of luxury for the brand. It ain't coming cheap though. So, start saving right away!

BMW unveils 8-Series Concept, sends the internet into a dizzy!

Every year, the grounds of Grand Hotel Villa d’Este bordering the waters of Lake Como in Italy plays host to one of world’s most exclusive gathering of historic automobiles and motorcycles. Called “Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este”, the event is quite popular amongst automotive historians and enthusiasts. The 2017 edition is ongoing and BMW has used it to unveil the 8-Series Concept, the brand’s take on a luxury coupe of the not-so-distant future. 

Expected to make it to production as early as 2018 with minimal changes, the concept previews the future design direction of the brand. And boy, does it look exciting!

With the 8-Series Concept, the designers at BMW have done a commendable job of mixing the iconic design cues of the past with an eye on the future. 

Up front, the large kidney grille is placed lower and wider, flanked on either sides by laser-lit slim headlights with hexagonal detailing. Further emphasizing the car’s width are the large side air intakes in the bumper. The silhouette looks brilliant, with the long hood and the flowing roofline giving the car a fast and dynamic look. BMW’s expertise in surfacing comes to the fore on that scooped-out portion in the door that appears to have been formed by air gushing out of the side intakes. The massively-flared rear wheel arches take over seamlessly from there and lead to a dynamic rear that’s dominated by thin L-blade taillights stretching out to the flanks. How can we not drool over those gorgeous 21-inch light-alloy wheels that feature functional aero elements as well? 

Giving not-so-subtle hints at the speed and power in store are the carbon-fiber diffuser, the twin trapezoidal tailpipes and the integrated lip spoiler. The front bumper also gets a carbon-fiber element between the two side air intakes. 

The interiors in the 8-Series Concept are clearly amongst the best we have seen in a BMW. The flat-bottomed steering wheel looks fabulous with aluminium spokes that gravitate forward and the red-anodised shift paddles. The instrument cluster gets a TFT display with an all-new user interface and revised graphics. The cabin is tastefully appointed in Merino leather in Dark Brown and Fjord White accentuated by contrasting elements made of carbon-fiber and hand-polished aluminium. Further adding to the luxury quotient are the faceted ground gearshift lever and the iDrive Controller made from Swarovski glass with a smoky quartz finish! The slim sports seats are wrapped around a carbon-fiber shell and aimed at providing the driver and the passenger a snug and cossetting fit and feel.

Details of what’s under the hood aren’t known yet but the 8-Series is expected to share engines and transmissions with the brand’s current flagship, the 7-Series sedan. A faster and more powerful M8 is also in the works, some say, as is a roadster based on this. When the production version debuts sometime next year, the 8-Series will proudly sit atop BMW’s lineup, rivaling the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe.

If you can't have enough of the pictures, we suggest you fly to Italy right away. If you can't make it there before this Sunday, wait for the next movie in the Mission Impossible franchise. Tom Cruise might just be driving one of these!

Jaguar F-Pace is 2017 World Car of the Year

One of the key events at the New York International Auto Show every year is the hand-out of the World Car Awards. The only one of it's kind in the industry, the World Car Awards brings together a jury panel comprising the best of automotive journalists and experts from diverse geographic locations. Naturally, these awards command a lot of respect and are amongst the most-coveted in the automotive industry.

Launched in 2004 and handed out since 2005, the World Car Awards aims to reward and recognize the best in the industry on a global scale and is not confined to a publication, country or continent. 

The 2017 titles and the award-winners were announced last week. 

2017 World Car of the Year

From an initial list of 23 vehicles from all over the world, ten were shortlisted before three finalists were announced at Geneva earlier this year. The top three were the Audi Q5, the Jaguar F-Pace and the Volkswagen Tiguan. With sales of SUVs and crossovers soaring around the world, the three finalists sort of vindicate the shift that's taking place in the industry. 75 journalists from 23 countries around the world evaluated each of the contenders and it was the Jaguar that came out on top. 

Ever since it debuted at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, the F-Pace, the first-ever SUV from the British luxury brand, has been winning friends and fans worldwide and the World Car of the Year title is yet another feather in it's cap. It is well-styled, is lavishly appointed, gets some clever features and need not be restricted on the road with the standard All Wheel Drive system and Adaptive Surface Response technology, virtues that seem to have impressed the jurors.

2017 World Car of the Year - Jaguar F-Pace

Previous Winners:

• 2016 – Mazda MX-5
• 2015 – Mercedes-Benz C-Class
• 2014 – Audi A3
• 2013 – Volkswagen Golf
• 2012 – Volkswagen Up!

2017 World Luxury Car 

To honour higher-priced, limited-selling, premium cars worldwide, the World Luxury Car title was carved out as a separate award in 2014. Mercedes-Benz walked away with it twice since then while the BMW 7-Series won the accolade last year. 

Mercedes-Benz returned to winning ways in 2017, with it's bread-and-butter E-Class claiming the top spot from an initial entry list of nine luxury cars from all over the world. The new E-Class has been receiving rave reviews and is expected to consolidate Mercedes-Benz's dominance in executive sedans. Another aspect that would make this victory sweeter for the folks at Stuttgart is the presence of arch-rival BMW's 5-Series as one of the finalists. Volvo's S90/V90 was the other finalist in fray for the title.

2017 World Luxury Car - Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Previous Winners:

• 2016 – BMW 7-Series
• 2015 – Mercedes-Benz S Coupe
• 2014 – Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2017 World Performance Car

The Porsche 718 twins, the Cayman and the Boxster, emerged victorious in the World Performance Car shoot-out. 

To be eligible for this award, a vehicle must exhibit specific and overt sports/performance orientation, should be available for sale in atleast two continents and have an annual production run exceeding 500 vehicles. From an initial list of seven cars that met the criteria, three finalists - Audi R8 Spyder, McLaren 570S and Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster, were announced. In the end, it was Porsche that won the hearts of the jurors. Remarkably, this is Porsche's fifth World Performance Car title with the German brand already being a recipient of the award in 2006, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

2017 World Performance Car - Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster

Previous Winners:

• 2016 – Audi R8
• 2015 – Mercedes-AMG GT
• 2014 – Porsche 911 GT3
• 2013 – Porsche Boxster / Cayman
• 2012 – Porsche 911

2017 World Green Car

For the second straight year, Toyota walked away with the honours in this crucial 'green car' category. This time, it was the Prius Prime that tasted success. Crucially, the Toyota had to contend with the Chevrolet Bolt and the Tesla Model X, mighty contenders any which way you look at them. These three cars were the chosen finalists from an initial entry list of 12 vehicles that met the eligibility criteria.

2017 World Green Car - Toyota Prius Prime

Previous Winners:

• 2016 – Toyota Mirai
• 2015 – BMW i8
• 2014 – BMW i3
• 2013 – Tesla Model S
• 2012 – Mercedes-Benz S250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY

2017 World Urban Car

A new title introduced for this year, the World Urban Car aims to identify and crown the best car to tackle the urban jungle that's getting crowded with each passing year. 

Commenting on the new title, World Car vice‐chairman, Mike Rutherford, commented, "It's an award whose time has come. Everyday cars in many ‐ perhaps most ‐ parts of the world will have to become smaller if road and parking space is to be found for them in increasingly packed towns and cities whose populations are swelling annually. This year's winner in our inaugural World Urban Car category proves that these small vehicles don't have to be cheap, undesirable and unpleasant to drive. Quite the opposite. It is among the best value‐for‐money products on the market".

And the car that was found worthy of all that praise is BMW's brilliant i3 (94 Ah). From an initial list of seven contenders, three finalists including the Citroen C3 and the Suzuki Ignis were chosen before deciding on the winner.

2017 World Urban Car - BMW i3 (94 Ah)

2017 World Car Design of the Year

With a set of eligibility criteria that's like no other, the World Car Design of the Year aims to recognize vehicles that pushes the established boundaries in their design and styling. A 6-member design panel were first asked to review the candidates and establish a short-list of recommendation for the jurors. 

In the end, out of the three finalists that included the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet and the Toyota C-HR, the Jaguar F-Pace walked away with the title, it's second of the year. With bold and sexy styling that looked every bit a Jaguar, we commented that the F-Pace was amongst the most beautiful crossovers/SUVs we have seen and it seems the design experts and jurors had similar opinion. With the F-Type already winning the title in 2013, F-Pace's victory is the second time a Jaguar is crowned the World Car Design of the Year.

2017 World Car Design of the Year - Jaguar F-Pace

Previous Winners:

• 2016 – Mazda MX-5
• 2015 – Citroen C4 Cactus
• 2014 – BMW i3
• 2013 – Jaguar F-Type
• 2012 – Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

BMW Motorrad's Vision Next 100 Concept culminates BMW Group's centenary celebrations

The BMW Group is 100 years old. As part of its centenary celebrations, each brand in the group has been unveiling wild and snazzy concepts under the moniker 'Vision Next 100' that anticipates how their vehicles will look like 100 years from now. With BMW, Rolls-Royce and Mini having successfully completed their attempts at making the auto enthusiasts go ooh and aah, it is now BMW Motorrad's turn to do the same.

Needless to say, the German motorcycle manufacturer has done it with aplomb. Ladies and gentlemen, here is how a motorcycle will look like 100 years from now according to the folks at BMW Motorrad.

Yes, it looks straight out of a high-budget Hollywood sci-fi movie but the truth is it isn't. 

Drafted with a futuristic thinking to represent how motorcycling could evolve in the next 100 years, the Vision Next 100 Concept is minimalist and gets rid of most things that make a motorcycle a motorcycle today. 

The switch gear, for instance, is gone and all that's present is a red rocker button on the right handle bar, the sole mechanical element that blocks the throttle grip or releases it. The frame, as we know it, has lost its functionality. We've gone mad, you think? No, we haven't! BMW calls this a 'Flexframe' that, as the name indicates, is flexible and devoid of mechanical joints we are familiar with. If the handlebars are moved, the entire frame changes shape and facilitates change in direction. The frame surface is made of matt-black textile while the upper frame cover, front wheel cover and seats are made of carbon. The tyres have a damping function and adapts to the terrain on the move, effectively doing what the front and rear suspensions do today.

Interestingly, BMW Motorrad claims the Vision Next 100 Concept will never fall over - neither in motion nor at standstill - thanks to it's Self-balancing system. Folks at BMW are so confident that this motorcycle won't ever tip over that they want us to stop wearing helmets and protective riding gear. A snazzy suit with inbuilt heating and cooling functions and a data glass are what we get instead. The latter is where the real drama is. It is just a visor when worn normally. When it tracks eye movements or when it senses a hazard, it transforms into a digital companion displaying a plethora of data. Gazing up enables the rear-view function while lowering the gaze brings up a menu with functions that can be triggered through finger gestures. Looking further down opens up the map view, apparently. 

Phew, we never imagined our eye balls could do so much!  

Though no specifications have been released, the engine is said to be a zero-emission unit with an opposed-twin cylinder layout.

Despite it's futuristic intent, the concept still has a fitting reference to BMW Motorrad's past. Where's the past in this, you ask? Click on the picture above and you will know the 2016 Vision Next 100 Concept borrows a whole lot from the 1923 R32, the first-ever motorcycle made by BMW. The black triangular frame, the white trim lines and the horizontally-opposed configuration of the engine are all inspired by the 1923 classic.

Now that we've traversed from 1923 to 2116 in a span of few paragraphs, let's get back to 2016, shall we? And lest you forget, all that you read in this post is BMW's fantasy right now!