BMW X7, the brand's flagship SAV, receives new styling updates and will be launched internationally in August.

Car manufacturers usually update their models midway through their lifecycle. BMW calls this refresh "Life Cycle Impulse" or LCI, and now it's the X7's turn. The X7 is BMW's largest SUV Sports Activity Vehicle or SAV. It competes with the likes of other large and luxurious SUVs such as the Audi Q7, and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class for example.

The techy bits

Let's get some tech specs out of the way first. The xDrive40i variant of the LCI X7 will feature a 3-litre straight-six turbocharged petrol engine. Mated to the latest 48-volt mild hybrid system, it makes out a combined 380hp and 540Nm of torque. The xDrive40d also features a 3-litre straight-six turbodiesel and the aforementioned mild hybrid system, putting down 352hp and 720Nm of torque.

Finally, we find a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 nestled within the engine bay of the ‘King’ X7 M60i xDrive. It too, has a mild hybrid setup and puts out 530hp and 750Nm of torque.

The 0-100km/h sprint is dispatched in 5.8 seconds in the xDrive40i. The xDrive40d will do it 6.1 seconds, and the M60i xDrive takes 4.7 seconds. Keep the throttle pinned, and both petrol variants will charge up to an electronically-limited 250km/h. The diesel on the other hand, X7 tops out at 243km/h. All variants are Euro 6d-compliant and feature rear-biased all-wheel drive.

With-out

The front-end now features a split headlight arrangement as compared to the inaugural X7's more-traditional single unit at each corner. Daytime running lights or DRLs, and indicator lights feature up top with BMW's signature arrangement. Positioned below are the main and high beam units with some bodywork in between. The headlights themselves, are of a matrix arrangement, which can 'darken' selected spots when coming up behind traffic and to prevent dazzling oncoming traffic. Front foglights are integrated into the headlights.

While that large kidney grille may be a point of contention, it can now be optionally (standard on M60i) cascade-illuminated in what BMW calls “Iconic Glow.” This however, remains to be seen if this option will be allowed on locally sold models.

Rim and tyre sizes for the X7 start from 20-inches, with 23-inch items available optionally from the factory for the first time. Also new are two exterior colours - Sparkling Copper Grey Metallic, and M Marina Bay Blue Metallic, named after the street circuit of the Singapore Grand Prix.

Within

Inside the X7, one finds BMW's Operating System 8 aka iDrive 8 as seen in the iX. Two displays, a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display, sit behind a curved glass surface that's very much driver-centric.

The X7 comes standard as a seven-seater in a 2-3-2 configuration. If more luxury is required, the bench-seat middle row can be swapped out for a pair of captain's chairs in a 2-2-2 setup. All seats are electrically adjustable, and will feature a vegan-friendly Sensafin upholstery option that's similar to leather.

To enliven the interior further, the X7 features a panoramic sunroof with three glass elements as standard. This allow natural light to pour into the cabin. Optionally, the "Panorama glass roof Sky Lounge with atmospheric LED lighting" can further bling things up at night.

Beneath

Comfort comes courtesy of air suspension all around with adaptive dampers as standard. In the M60i, active roll stabilisation is also standard, and optional on the other variants.

There'll also be the usual plethora of driving aids such as front-collision warning, route monitoring and Active Navigation. The X7 is a luxury vehicle after all, and is expected to be festooned with all manner of gadgetry and gizmos.

We'll let you know more once we actually get behind the wheel of an LCI X7 in Singapore. Until then, we await its arrival to our shores.