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This is what I said on my Blog.
Many within marketing believe the X5 is in the right segment and personally I don’t think there will be an X7 because the general consensus within the management at BMW is that they do not want the X5 to become a characterture of the original concept , by enlarging it further. BMW reckon the X5 is just right where it wants to be and the BMW X1 and X3 compliment it and the X6 quite well. The other issue is that the sacrifice of driving enjoyment is radically reduced with so much weight to pull about. Back to back tests of both the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GL-Klasse are not very exciting to drive. As we marketing people have to discover whether there is a market for such a concept to which the results are not as great as expected.
The next generation F40 due in 2013 will further the appeal of the E70 by more muscley sporty styling and a slight increase in leg room, the additional rear seats will stay but BMW have found that demand for the extra two seats has not been as great as original projections. With a larger majority of the customers preferring 5 seats are ample.
The X5 begins a move to a modular aluminium platform which will be used in the same direction as the modular platform found within the next generation 3er and 1er. It allows expansion and increases profitability.
The platform will also be lengthened to accomodate the next generation Rolls-Royce Phantom and subsequent 5,6, and 7. With the Phantom retaining a all aluminium Space frame. BMW are investigating on using a similar concept within the next 5,6 and 7 matrix.
One model BMW intend to bring back from the dead is a large luxury 7er based Gran Coupe variant like the cancelled CS Concept, although not likely to appear until the advent of the next 7er in 2015. Subsequent investigation has pointed out definite markets for the super luxury Coupe , that will flagship the BMW portfolio.
BMW’s investigative ideas for Project-i, the MegaCity Vehicle , Vision Efficient Dynamics and MINI/UKL/City , Premium Compact (1er) , Premium Entry (3er) are all but taken care of. The attention returns to more premium concepts which begins with the 6er Gran Coupe, a premium Roadster and the reinvention of the CS Concept.
For the X7 it is as they say “Up in the air” They are more interested in more premium “niche” concepts that are missing and needed more rather than an enlarged SAV.
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