At least for now, the X7 will have the same drivetrain lineup as the X5, with two engine options sending torque to all four wheels. The xDrive40i relies on the free-spinning, 335-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that appears throughout the BMW portfolio. Even when tasked with moving more than 5000 pounds, as in this application, the engine works wonderfully. But this is America, so a 456-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 provides the muscle in the xDrive50i. Its plateau of 479 pound-feet of torque starts way down at 1500 rpm and extends all the way to 4750. We expect the sprint to 60 mph to take a short 4.6 seconds when the X7 is equipped with the V-8 and a still-respectable 5.5 seconds with the six-cylinder. BMW’s burly quad-turbo diesel inline-six won’t make it stateside, but American tuggers with either engine and the factory-installed hitch should find the 7500-pound tow ratings adequate nonetheless. Predictably, ZF’s glorious 8HP transmission handles gear swaps. This eight-speed automatic is never sleepy, providing quick shifts whether thinking for itself or under the command of the wheel-mounted paddles.
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