Well, it was only a matter of time – especially when a BMW executive started slagging off the quality of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class to the press in 2017. The Bavarian brand becomes the second premium carmaker to build itself a pickup.
Except, to be clear, the BMW X7 Pick-up is nothing more than a one-off project, intended to keep the most recent batch of trainees busy after hours.
What’s a BMW X7 and is it a good basis for a pickup?
If you haven’t been keeping up with BMW’s expanding product portfolio, the X7 is the firm’s largest, most luxurious SUV – the 7 part of its name aligning it with the 7 Series luxury saloon.
So if you want bells and whistles with your functional load area, this is certainly a good place to start. No production pickup is as fancy inside as this.
However, there are few contenders in the ugly stakes, either. The X7 has an utterly enormous set of front grilles, which conveniently haven’t been photographed for the Pick-up press release.
How practical is the BMW X7 Pick-up?
The load area is 1.4m long with the tailgate shut, or 2.0m with it let down – which, as you can see from the pictures, gives you enough room to transport a BMW F 850 GS motorcycle.
There’s no mention of an exact payload rating (we doubt it manages a tonne, so you won’t be getting one at LCV tax rates), but despite the Pick-up being longer than a regular X7 and in strong possession of a load area lined with teak, it actually weighs 200kg less than the standard car.
Before you find yourself thinking ‘How heavy was the bootlid?’, know that the conversion from sports utility vehicle to actual utility vehicle has involved a great deal of carbonfibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), which is usefully light and tough.
How powerful is the BMW X7 Pick-up?
It’s based on an X7 xDrive40i, which produces a healthy 340hp – quite a bit more than even a 258hp V6 X-Class can muster.
That said, the BMW is considerably out-gunned when it comes to torque, managing 450Nm to the Mercedes’ 550Nm.
You can also get an Amarok with 580Nm, of course. But we’re not dealing with common pickups, here.
Who built the BMW X7 Pick-up?
The truck was put together by 12 BMW trainees, who rescued a pre-production X7 destined for the great scrapyard in the sky in order to create the project.
The idea was to take the, uh, idea from concept right through to show-car standard, and it would seem they have fully succeeded – even while being denied the support of BMW’s existing show car building experts.
When can I buy one?
Don’t be silly. BMW is not going to build it for real. If you want one you’ll have to build it yourself…
Also read:
>> Mercedes-Benz X-Class full review
>> Skoda Mountiaq pickup review
>> Honda Civic Type R pickup review
>> New pickups coming soon – and recent launch round up
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