600-HP BMW X7 M Needs To Become A Reality

We wouldn’t say no to a 600-hp BMW X7.

The BMW X7 was finally revealed last week as the automaker’s largest and most lavish SUV yet. Currently, the most powerful variant uses a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 456 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, enabling the sizeable SUV to hit 0-60 mph in a respectable 5.2 seconds. But is there room for a more potent X7? This render artist certainly thinks so.

X-Tomi has offered a convincing mock-up showing what a BMW X7 M Performance SUV could look like. The BMW X7 already looks imposing thanks to its sheer size, so slapping on some M Performance parts heightens the aggression. Like other BMW M models, the souped-up X7 features larger intakes in the front bumper, wider wheel arches, and a BMW M logo on the gigantic grille.

As far-fetched as it may sound right now, a high-performance BMW X7 M could happen. The automaker admitted that a hardcore X7 M is being considered, but nothing has been confirmed. Still, it gives us hope that this render could become a reality one day.

As for potential powertrains, it would make sense for the X7 M to use the M760Li’s meaty twin-turbo 6.6-liter V12 engine. In the M760Li, this unit produces 600 horsepower, which would enable the X7 M to tread on the toes of the Range Rover Sport SVR and Mercedes-AMG GLS 63.

BMW M3 Wagon Could Become A Reality For The First Time Ever

Assuming it does happen, will it come to the US?

Now that the all-new BMW 3 Series sedan has made its debut appearance, it’ll soon be time for the wagon. If reports prove accurate, the G20 generation 3 Series Wagon (codenamed G21), also called an estate or Touring, will debut next March at Geneva. That’s not a particularly big surprise, but a new report coming from Autocar is far more interesting.

BMW is reportedly considering an M3 Wagon in order to do battle with the Audi RS4 Avant and Mercedes-AMG C63 Estate. If Munich goes ahead with the plan, it would be the first-ever M3 wagon. We’re so down for that. Aside from having a powerful wagon to combat its two main German rivals, BMW supposedly sees a solid business case to green light the project.

Because a regular non-M 3 Series wagon has already been completed and the next-generation M3’s (and M4) engine and other relevant details have already been decided and sorted, the development costs for an M3 wagon would be relatively low. Another factor working in the M3 wagon’s favor is that there won’t be (thank gosh!) a new 3 Series GT. Slow sales are what killed it.

And speaking of sales, would there even be enough interest in the US for an M3 wagon? Probably not. Wagons, in general, have long fallen out of favor with the American car-buying public. They all want crossovers and, very conveniently enough, BMW has several to choose from. At the moment, you can still buy the outgoing generation 3 Series Sports Wagon in the US which comes powered by a turbocharged inline-four with 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The closest thing to an M3 wagon America will likely receive will be the X3 M. Remember, neither the Audi RS4 Avant nor the AMG C63 Wagon are sold in the US, so it would make no sense for BMW either. As of right now, BMW has not officially confirmed plans for an M3 wagon, but again, the business case does make sense this time around, at least for Europe. Another piece of forbidden fruit for Americans is sounding very likely.

This BMW Z4 Wagon Needs To Become A Reality

In fact, we think that every sporty BMW model should be offered in this Shooting Brake body style

BMW recently introduced the latest Z4 and while it is a stunning design we have had to come to terms with the fact that there will be no manual derivative (for now) or a full-fat M version either. Ok, so the US-spec M40i makes 385 horsepower (which is more than the Europeans get) and is as quick as an M2 around the Nurburgring but how hard could it be to offer a hardtop variant as in the original Z3 and Z4 M Coupes?

Those curiously-shaped limited-edition models have now become modern classics and while we have already seen one render of what the new Z4 would look like with a hardtop, visual artist Rain Prisk has released a rendering of what he thinks a shooting-brake style Z4 should look like.

We think it would make for the ideal low-production run Z4. Even without an M model in the range, a Z4 M40i Coupe would be so very cool. Those early Z3s and Z4s could also be had in coupe trim without M engines so the formula definitely works.

The platform-sharing Toyota Supra is already a coupe-only offering so the modifications to the Z4 should require very minimal outlay, although perhaps the need to differentiate these two models from one another is the reason why BMW is reluctant to go this route.

Rain Prisk has turned his hand to converting other BMW models into shooting brake body styles too, most notably the M2 which we think looks pretty cool with its mini wagon rear end.

The BMW i8 on the other hand, should be put into production immediately, its love-it-or-hate-it looks are just what made the original Z3 M Coupe so popular and supercar fans clearly like the idea judging by the popularity of the Ferrari FF and GTC4 Lusso. Come on BMW, make it happen.

The BMW M7 Needs To Become A Reality

Please make it happen, BMW.

We’re still not sure if it will ever happen, but a recent trademark filed by BMW got our hopes up that the automaker is planning to put an M7 into production. The news came as a surprise, since the automaker previously told us there was no need for an M7 when we already have the beastly M760i with 601 horsepower on tap. To whet our appetite, AscarissDesign has produced a render to show what a BMW M7 could look like. It’s based on an old render, with changes including a new M5 bumper, new side vent, and a modified roof.

It's also been given new grille inserts and a slightly modified side mirror. Whether it will ever become a reality is questionable though. The trademark file is by no means confirmation that BMW will build a full fat M version of the 7 Series. After all, an M7 might be hard to justify with the M8 Gran Coupe now confirmed. BMW also already has the M760i to fight the Audi S8 and Mercedes-AMG S63, which can accelerate to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds before topping out at 155 mph. That top speed can also be increased to 186 mph with the limiter lifted. The M760i already offers supercar performance in a luxury sedan, but we know it isn’t reaching its potential.

In the Rolls-Royce Wraith, the same twin-turbo V12 is tuned to produce 625 horsepower, while in the Dawn it has 605 lb-ft of torque compared to the M760i’s 590 lb-ft. Time will ultimately tell if a BMW M7 gets the green light for production, but at least we can now visualize it thanks to this render. Please make it happen, BMW.

BMW M3 Wagon Could Become A Reality For The First Time Ever

Assuming it does happen, will it come to the US?

Now that the all-new BMW 3 Series sedan has made its debut appearance, it’ll soon be time for the wagon. If reports prove accurate, the G20 generation 3 Series Wagon (codenamed G21), also called an estate or Touring, will debut next March at Geneva. That’s not a particularly big surprise, but a new report coming from Autocar is far more interesting.

BMW is reportedly considering an M3 Wagon in order to do battle with the Audi RS4 Avant and Mercedes-AMG C63 Estate. If Munich goes ahead with the plan, it would be the first-ever M3 wagon. We’re so down for that. Aside from having a powerful wagon to combat its two main German rivals, BMW supposedly sees a solid business case to green light the project.

Because a regular non-M 3 Series wagon has already been completed and the next-generation M3’s (and M4) engine and other relevant details have already been decided and sorted, the development costs for an M3 wagon would be relatively low. Another factor working in the M3 wagon’s favor is that there won’t be (thank gosh!) a new 3 Series GT. Slow sales are what killed it.

And speaking of sales, would there even be enough interest in the US for an M3 wagon? Probably not. Wagons, in general, have long fallen out of favor with the American car-buying public. They all want crossovers and, very conveniently enough, BMW has several to choose from. At the moment, you can still buy the outgoing generation 3 Series Sports Wagon in the US which comes powered by a turbocharged inline-four with 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The closest thing to an M3 wagon America will likely receive will be the X3 M. Remember, neither the Audi RS4 Avant nor the AMG C63 Wagon are sold in the US, so it would make no sense for BMW either. As of right now, BMW has not officially confirmed plans for an M3 wagon, but again, the business case does make sense this time around, at least for Europe. Another piece of forbidden fruit for Americans is sounding very likely.