Drivin' in Czechia
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BMW’s bet on SUVs paid off, and over the years, the Munich-based brand has significantly expanded its SUV lineup. The X series now comprises eight models. And now, something new is on the horizon—currently being developed under the internal codename G74, and it seems it might be sold as the BMW X8. But what exactly is it?
According to the always well-informed Automotive News, it’s expected to be a rugged luxury off-roader in the style of the Mercedes G-Class. BMW sees strong demand for such vehicles in certain regions around the world and wants to tap into that market. After all, the G-Class recently celebrated 600,000 units produced.
However, the BMW newcomer is expected to feature a unibody chassis, which might limit its appeal compared to hardcore off-roaders. Nevertheless, BMW believes the vehicle will be a worthy rival to models like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class or the Land Rover Defender—which, incidentally, also uses a unibody structure in its current version.
The new model will likely be based on the platform of the next-generation BMW X5, which means it will primarily offer combustion engines. An electric version is also expected to follow, though probably as an alternative option rather than the main focus. After all, the electric G-Class hasn’t been selling particularly well, indicating that interest in battery-powered off-roaders remains limited.
New BMW X7: First info
The new BMW X7 is already taking shape, with prototypes spotted during testing. You can watch them in the attached video, along with other prototypes of future BMW models.
Like other large BMW SUVs, the new off-roader will be manufactured at the company’s Spartanburg plant in the U.S. Production is scheduled to start sometime in 2029, so we’ll have to wait a while for its arrival—or assuming it ever sees the light of day, since there’s still no official confirmation of the project. Our AI-generated concept nonetheless offers a glimpse of what it might look like.
Until then, several decisions remain, including the model’s final name. For now, speculation most often mentions the X8 or X9 designations. Insider reports also suggest the X8 could indirectly replace the current XM series, whose sales have fallen short of expectations. As a result, it appears a second generation of this M-division SUV is unlikely.
