The BMW Concept X7 iPerformance Is A Highly Conspicuous Three-Row SUV

Is the X5 a little too compact for you? Want to carry around more people and things in a Bavarian barge of a conspicuous persuasion? You’re in luck, as BMW is building just the thing.

It won’t be here until well into 2018, but we’re getting an early glimpse at what BMW has in mind thanks to this: the Concept X7 iPerformance. And yes, as already discussed after leaked photos emerged earlier this week, it does have some rather obscene kidney grilles, which should hopefully be toned down for the production version.

It’s a three-row, six-seat SUV, although the expectation is for the production car to have an even more practical seven-seat arrangement. On the inside you’ll also find a 12.3 inch screen used for the instrument binnacle next to a central touchscreen, with both flowing into one, uninterrupted unit.

It’s a neat touch, as is the pair of screens for the middle-row passengers, which are each linked up with the main system, allowing content to be shared between the lot. Playing a track you want to share with those up front? You’ll be able to ‘throw’ it at the main screen using the gesture control system.

You might have also noticed the heavily deep-dished steering wheel, which mirrors a similar helm seen in the recently revealed Z4 concept. Expect to see a lot more of the design in future BMWs.

The X7 features a plug-in hybrid powertrain, although BMW hasn’t gone into specifics about power and engine/battery sizes, only stating that it’s packing “eDrive technology allied with a BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine.”

Fancy looking at this big-grilled hulk and its 23-inch alloy wheels in the metal? It’ll be making its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week.