Prototype Run: 2028 BMW X7 M60 Spotted at Nurburgring

There was a V8 howl that cut through the gray German morning, and it was impossible to ignore. A camouflaged X7 prototype prowled the Nürburgring at speed, quad exhaust tips flashing, leaving little doubt this wasn’t the vanilla range-topper BMW sells to most buyers.

On the track: clues the lap gave away

Short, sharp bursts of acceleration. Precise body control through the twists. Little touches — sportier bumpers, subtly reshaped wheel arches — that tell you this is likely the M60 flavor, the next chapter of BMW’s full-size SUV with a V8 at heart. The prototype keeps its camouflage, but not its poker face.

BMW looks set to drop the old M60i badge and (quietly) keep the V8 recipe. Rumors point to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with no electric assistance, a straight-up combustion halo for buyers who still worship raw V8 character. Estimates suggest output nudging past 600 horsepower and roughly 590 lb-ft, which is about 800 Nm. Those figures would put it very close to the hottest X5 M60e’s total output, though the X5’s setup there mixes a three-liter straight-six with electric help, while the X7 M60 appears to be going old-school.

If you’re wondering where the true crown will fall, don’t forget Alpina. The specialist has historically trimmed BMW’s top-of-the-line into something sharper and rarer. The current Alpina XB7 delivers 631 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm), sprinting to 97 kph in about 3.9 seconds. Expect the next XB7 to again sit above the M60 in the pecking order.

Price parity is shifting, too. BMW’s current line-up lists the X7 M60i at around €105,800. The Alpina XB7 sits nearer €143,520, while the entry-level xDrive40i begins at roughly €80,500. Don’t be surprised if the new generation nudges each of those figures upward as BMW adds tech, refinement and, in some trims, more electrification.

Design-wise, the new X7 looks evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The front end will keep a familiar presence but with tighter headlights and slimmer daytime running lamps above them, alongside a pair of conventionally sized kidney grilles. The bumper’s central intake looks more assertive. From the rear, there are hints of oversized taillights and a move away from the split tailgate that some readers liked. Inside, expect the pillar-to-pillar display that has appeared in the latest X5, a distinctive steering wheel, and the same suite of infotainment hardware stretching across the dash.

This next X7 arrives into a busier market. Mercedes’ GLS is still a heavyweight contender. Cadillac’s Escalade remains a statement-maker. And now Audi is finally answering back with the Q9, the brand’s first true entry in this class, reportedly carrying a V8 in its SQ9 form. Competition will push BMW to sharpen both performance and luxury.

So, what does the Nürburgring lap actually tell us? That BMW is keeping options open: a pure V8 M60 for those who prefer mechanical drama, and an Alpina XB7 positioned above it for buyers who want exclusivity and extra performance. Expect those who favor combustion note over hybrid quietness to cheer. Expect those chasing ultimate figures to hold out for the full-on M model, which may use a PHEV V8 to chase even higher output.

There’s still time before dealers open orders. The next-gen X7 is expected to arrive as a 2028 model in the U.S., with a public debut possible late this year or in 2027 depending on BMW’s schedule. Until then, clips from the Ring and prototype photos will keep us guessing — and a little impatient.

Which version would you pick: the raw V8 M60, an even hotter Alpina XB7, or something greener and electrified? Tell us your pick and why.