By Nauman Farooq
Building on the success of the “Luxury Pavilion” from last year, BMW Canada has put together another display to highlight their upcoming models, and it’s going on right now!
Called the “Luxury Lounge”, it offers your first chance to not only see the 2019 BMW M850i coupe, but also see a vehicle that has yet to make its global premiere, the first-ever BMW X7.
The market for large, seven-seat SUVs is growing around the world, and while BMW has taken quite a long time to respond to this segment, it does have an answer coming for the 2019 model year, with the X7.
You can see the X7, at the “Luxury Lounge” in Toronto (which is located at 151 Bloor St. West, with the exhibition on till October 16, with daily visiting hours between 10:00 am to 4:00 pm) but you can’t take any pictures or video of it, because this is a sneak peak before the world premiere, which will be held at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show at the end of November.
However, while photography wasn’t allowed of the X7, I can tell you what to expect! Built on an extended wheelbase version of the platform that is found on the new 2019 BMW X5, the X7 offers proper seats in the third row. It also offers a push button drop down feature for the second and third row of seats, for when you need maximum luggage space.
The front portion of the cabin in the X7 is very similar to what you’ll find in the new X5 (which will be in showrooms any day now) and makes use of the new TFT screen for the instrument binnacle, and the new infotainment screen, with an improved version of the firms iDrive controller.
At the time of launch, the X7 will be offered with two engines, a turbocharged inline-six, and a twin-turbo V8, with power going to all-wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Pricing has not been announced for the X7, but it’ll be more than the X5 and less than the 7 series sedan.
So, if you’re looking for a full-size SUV, the X7 might just tick all the right boxes for you! However, if your needs would be better fulfilled by a fast, luxury, sports coupe, than you’ll really need to take a close look at the new M850i.
It’s been 20 years since BMW last offered the 8 series (not counting the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car), and the wait has been worth it! The new coupe -which will go on sale this December in M850i guise, followed by the M8 next summer- not only builds on the heritage of the old 850i (which made its debut in 1989, and was the first production car to combine a V12 engine with a six-speed manual gearbox), but also takes over from where the 2017 BMW 650i coupe left off!
Powering the M850i model is a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 that produces 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to all-wheel drive and a very quick shifting eight-speed automatic, the M850i can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds – making it supercar quick! Top speed, will be electronically governed at 250 km/h.
With drop-dead gorgeous looks, and performance to match, the new 8 series will surely be a dream car for many!
So, if you’re interested in seeing the latest, greatest offerings from BMW, make your trip downtown (Yorkville area) – no appointment needed, just go in at 151 Bloor St. West – and check out the BMW Luxury Lounge.