[DASHOCKER]

Judging from the whispers making their way around the interwebs, BMW may be interested in rekindling the X7 flame. The company was one of many corporations that took part in a global summit in Seoul to discuss how to rebalance global trade away from a U.S.-dependent market. But while many of the participants are keen to shift their attentions toward economies in China and Germany, BMW seemed to think that the U.S. would be back on its feet and buying sooner rather than later. The automaker even went so far as to say that it hadn't completely nixed the idea of introducing another larger SUV to its North American lineup.

That means that the X7, a massive vehicle killed off in 2008, may not be completely off of the table. Throwing another SUV into the company's portfolio wouldn't seem to be in keeping with BMW's new commitment to building ever more efficient vehicles, though you never know. Just because we like to think that we live in a post-SUV world doesn't mean American buyers don't love their massive machines.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/09/r...for-u-s-market

Scott26... Any truth to this story?

[JayKay335i]

Because they X6 isn't already a fat turd they shouldn't have made.

[Crimson92]

oh geezus, another one

[keanu1]

makes no sense!! What about mercedes GL?!?1 did it sell well?

[SCOTT26]

This is what I said on my Blog.

Many within marketing believe the X5 is in the right segment and personally I don’t think there will be an X7 because the general consensus within the management at BMW is that they do not want the X5 to become a characterture of the original concept , by enlarging it further. BMW reckon the X5 is just right where it wants to be and the BMW X1 and X3 compliment it and the X6 quite well. The other issue is that the sacrifice of driving enjoyment is radically reduced with so much weight to pull about. Back to back tests of both the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GL-Klasse are not very exciting to drive. As we marketing people have to discover whether there is a market for such a concept to which the results are not as great as expected.

The next generation F40 due in 2013 will further the appeal of the E70 by more muscley sporty styling and a slight increase in leg room, the additional rear seats will stay but BMW have found that demand for the extra two seats has not been as great as original projections. With a larger majority of the customers preferring 5 seats are ample.

The X5 begins a move to a modular aluminium platform which will be used in the same direction as the modular platform found within the next generation 3er and 1er. It allows expansion and increases profitability.

The platform will also be lengthened to accomodate the next generation Rolls-Royce Phantom and subsequent 5,6, and 7. With the Phantom retaining a all aluminium Space frame. BMW are investigating on using a similar concept within the next 5,6 and 7 matrix.

One model BMW intend to bring back from the dead is a large luxury 7er based Gran Coupe variant like the cancelled CS Concept, although not likely to appear until the advent of the next 7er in 2015. Subsequent investigation has pointed out definite markets for the super luxury Coupe , that will flagship the BMW portfolio.

BMW’s investigative ideas for Project-i, the MegaCity Vehicle , Vision Efficient Dynamics and MINI/UKL/City , Premium Compact (1er) , Premium Entry (3er) are all but taken care of. The attention returns to more premium concepts which begins with the 6er Gran Coupe, a premium Roadster and the reinvention of the CS Concept.

For the X7 it is as they say “Up in the air” They are more interested in more premium “niche” concepts that are missing and needed more rather than an enlarged SAV.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

They are more interested in more premium “niche” concepts that are missing and needed more rather than an enlarged SAV.

Great, so we can expect a Z4 GT and a X1M? I'm not arguing for the X7, but with the 5er getting fatter and lazier and the dilution of the M Brand, are you guys at least considering ditching the 'Ultimate Driving Machine' tagline for something more like 'Mercedes without the Taxi Cab Overtones'?

[KingOfJericho]

I'm amazed that they actually signed off on the useless X6 while leaving out the larger X7. An SUV with zero utility... what a concept. Oh, and THAT's the car they make in a hybrid. Sometimes I wonder what the hell goes on over there.

[hks786]

Ok I can understand the X5 and X3, but the X1 is pointless and so is the X6 to be honest. However, I have to admit the X6 does look good, but yeah pointless. I hope there are no more X models and BMW focus on real cars.

[ace330i]

I think i would buy one honeslty because im sick of there being three chioces for large suv's, a merc, gm, ford, im sick of all of them

[fdsasdasdf]

Oh please, BMW do NOT compete with the Lexus LX. That thing is so damn huge it's an eyesore. Don't go that route. You already pushed the limits with the X6. Don't do any more SUVs! You're a sports car company!

[NYCGarbagePrince]

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

Because they X6 isn't already a fat turd they shouldn't have made.

Fah Q... I get lots of compliments on the car all the time. It is completely beside the point that they were probably talking shit about the car moments before they complimented it.

Kidding aside, drive one. There is 0 body roll and the feel is most similar to a 5 series. 0-60 in 5 flat is not so bad either.

I do get 8 mpg though... Fuck you hippies.

[graider]

new z4mc with fixed roof at 3100lbs?

[jtgolf71]

That would be a great truck!!!!

[MikeyV]

Originally Posted by ace330i

I think i would buy one honeslty because im sick of there being three chioces for large suv's, a merc, gm, ford, im sick of all of them

You forgot Lexus, Infiniti and Audi, all make large SUV's.

[MikeyV]

Originally Posted by Zell

Oh please, BMW do NOT compete with the Lexus LX. That thing is so damn huge it's an eyesore. Don't go that route. You already pushed the limits with the X6. Don't do any more SUVs! You're a sports car company!

Why do Americans keep on thinking BMW is a sports car company, they are not they make sporting family cars and SUV's, Morgan is a sports car company, Lotus is a sports car company. If you go to Russia (where I find myself today) BMW is an SUV making company, all you ever see here are X5 and X6 with the occasional govt 7 series. In Scandinavia BMW is a popular family car and taxi, I'm sure it's only people in the US who have this distorted view on what a BMW is.

I've got a third child on the way and would love BMW to make minivan as I don't fancy driving a Ford or VW. So come on BMW don't piss around with an X7 make me a BMW to compete with Ford S-Max or VW Sharan.

[SCOTT26]

I've got a third child on the way and would love BMW to make minivan as I don't fancy driving a Ford or VW. So come on BMW don't piss around with an X7 make me a BMW to compete with Ford S-Max or VW Sharan.

Then you will be interested in our
F.amily A.ctivity S.ports T.ourer or our C.ompactive S.port T.ourer?
Both 1er based interpretation on typical MPV Concepts.

[MikeyV]

Scott if I can get two ISOFIX car seats plus a booster in the second row then I'd be very interested, the problem is if these are 1 series based I doubt I could do it, I have tried this in a 5 series touring and X1 it won't fit. I can fit what I want to fit in the 5GT with 3 rear seats but at close to 1 million NOK (170K USD) this option is way too expensive.

When will F.A.S.T or C.S.T be ready for the market?

[Fester]

I wish they put 5 seats instead of 4 in x6....I love the style...the way it is now...it's a useless gas guzzler pointless non-utility car for the singles....

[pmeloche]

The sale of X vehicles allows BMW to engineer masterpieces like the M3. Do not ridicule the X vehicles even though I am not a fan of the X6. I would like BMW to build a Z2 however that would be a Miata killer.

[JoeM3Dude]

Originally Posted by NYCGarbagePrince

Fah Q... I get lots of compliments on the car all the time. It is completely beside the point that they were probably talking shit about the car moments before they complimented it.

Kidding aside, drive one. There is 0 body roll and the hid bulb feel is most similar to a 5 series. 0-60 in 5 flat is not so bad either.

I do get 8 mpg though... Fuck you hippies.

I actually agree with him. I don't have an x6 but it isn't ugly at all... I wouldn't agree with him saying it feels like a 5 series, but it does have a good feel to it.. Just drive it.

[superfans]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

....The next generation F40 due in 2013....

Any chance of telling whether the F40 is going to be released in early 2013 like Q1/2 or late 2013 Q3/4?

[CSWM3]

Originally Posted by JoeM3Dude

I actually agree with him. I don't have an x6 but it isn't ugly at all... I wouldn't agree with him saying it feels like a 5 series, but it does have a good feel to it.. Just drive it.

The X6 is the coolest SUV on the road and not sure why some people think its useless? why exactly do you say its useless? for me, who has owned a 2009 X5 in the past I strongly disagree. The utility aspect of it hightly undermined, it fits just as much junk as the X5, the slanting back only cuts out a little bit of the vertical space over the trunk but its not significant!

For people with more than 2 kids the 2012 X6 has come out as a 5 seater...so there you go...we are only a family of 2 so we rock that truck anywhere and everywhere, got some gorgeous rims and people drool (fathers, singles, kids, chicks, mothers) over it......

But, that being said it doesnt drive like the 5 series or the 6 series.....the weight difference is significant but it drives way better than I expected it to.....afterall its a BMW