According to automakers, you can’t have too many SUVs. This is probably a fact given the market trend.
The X8 was not even a possibility a few months ago. But, we now hear that it may be available at a BMW dealer near you in 2020. Autocar updated its initial report on the company’s plans to decide on production in 2018. Now it appears that the high-riding luxury barge has been given the green light.
BMW has taken legal steps to trademark the nameplate “X8” around the globe this year. The Far East is the latest area where the moniker was registered. Although BMW has not officially stated that there are plans for an X8, Klaus Frohlich, head of development, admitted recently that there is room for a more expensive SUV. He mentioned that he sees a potential in a new model that is positioned above the X7. This will, by the way, be made available in production form later in the year. We’ll also see the next generation X5.
BMW isn’t yet certain whether the X8 will be a coupe-ified version or a longer-wheelbase variant. The X8 will reportedly only be available with four to five seats in a 2-row layout, as opposed to the X7 which can have up to seven seats in three rows.
Autocar highlights the difference in size between the X7 & the GLS. This suggests that there is room for a larger X model to rival Mercedes’ flagship SUV. It will also get the Maybach treatment. BMW could decide to release a stretched version of its X7, rather than a “coupe”, which could mean that the platform will be a mix of Rolls-Royce’s Architecture of Luxury and the company’s CLAR.
The X8 will be BMW’s most expensive production vehicle, regardless of how it is built. It will be interesting for us to see if the old rumor of an super-luxurious, four seat X7 that was priced at more than $100,000 will come true.