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2019 BMW X7 vs luxury SUV rivals: Comparing specs and photos

Today we get our first-ever look at the first-ever 2019 BMW X7 crossover. We've actually already had our first-ever drive in an X7 Prototype. And so, we thought it appropriate to follow that up today with the first-ever X7 comparison of specs between BMW's first-ever three-row crossover with legitimate room for seven and its many high-dollar competitors. On paper, the 2019 X7 definitely seems to most closely align with the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Their similar dimensions, interior space, engine choices and price would certainly imply where BMW placed the target when developing X7. We used those same elements to determine three-row vehicles likely to be cross-shopped or that should be cross-shopped. These include the Audi Q7, Land Rover Discovery, Volvo XC90 and Lincoln Navigator. Yes, the latter is a truck-based SUV as opposed to a crossover, but tell that to all the people lining out the door at the local Lincoln emporium. They do not care, and neither shall we. We also included the 2019 BMW X5, which was completely redesigned for this year and therefore not the first-ever. That makes it less appealing? Either way, lining the new X5 up with the SUV that leapfrogs it atop BMW's SUV hierarchy should provide a good idea of just how much more you get by going up a model number. Engines and model lineup Again, the X7 aligns closest with the GLS, offering a base six-cylinder in its xDrive40i model and an upgrade turbo V8 in the xDrive50i. The Mercedes engines have greater output, but the GLS still accelerates slower than the BMW. As the 2019 X5 offers the exact same engines, we would also expect the X7's fuel economy to be superior to the GLS once its estimates are announced. It should be noted, though, that the GLS offers a high-powered AMG model whereas we anticipate the X7 to offer a plug-in hybrid model comparable to the X5 upcoming xDrive45e model. The other luxury SUVs diverge in their engine choices and model lineup. The Audi Q7 offers a base turbocharged four-cylinder, as does the Volvo XC90 in its T5 model, which we left out of the above chart entirely for space reasons. That the Q7 3.0 TFSI supercharged V6 gets the same fuel economy estimates as the four-cylinder is proof positive that engine is purely around for its lower base price.

Audi A3 gets Virtual Cockpit next year

Want the Audi TT's nifty virtual cockpit but need a more practical car? Great news for you, as Audi will bring the reconfigurable, all-digital instrument cluster to the A3 next year. The news was confirmed to our friends at Car and Driver, courtesy of the head of Audi's electronics department, Ricky Hudi. "In the future, there are not so many [of our] cars that will not have it integrated, even into the smaller cars. Next year in the A3, we will also integrate the Virtual Cockpit," Hudi told C/D. Now, don't go thinking you'll be able to pick up a basic A3 and be able to enjoy the new instrument cluster, like you can on the TT and R8. This is going to be an up-market option, just like it is on the new Q7. "If they choose a higher engine or a higher, well-equipped car then they will choose it – no doubt. The price reduces very fast with more people using it and the Virtual Cockpit is an Audi signature now." Related Video:

Who doesn't want an Audi RS7 with turbo horns?

Very little is known about the origins of this exhaust-horned and turbo-eyed beast. The guys at Road & Track tracked it down as far as a Russian tuner named Total Race. Aside from that, what we have here is video of an Audi with no hood and two huge turbos sitting on top of its 4.0-liter V8 instead of nestled in the engine's vee where they belong. And those crazy and haphazardly routed exhausts. We also don't know how much power this thing is making, but from the way it launches away from the camera, we're going to go with "a lot." The YouTube clip claims this is the Stage 10 tune, but who knows. Granted, the drivetrain probably can't take everything this Frankensteined engine could theoretically put down, so there's likely some kind of electro-wizardry at play limiting output until it at least hooks up. And if traction control still exists somewhere in there it might be helping keep the tires from melting. Chances are some part of the driveline will grenade itself if you try this too many times, but hey, as long as you get one or two decent YouTube vids first, right? Even if it doesn't add any meaningful power output beyond the RS7 Performance's already plentiful 605 ponies, we can't bring ourselves to care. The high-pitched sound of the exhaust from those heat-wrapped pipes jutting out like the horns of a crazed antelope are simply priceless. Thank you, Russia. Related Video: