[Mani59]

The spy video of the 2023 ALPINA XB7 Facelift and BMW X7 Facelift Prototype in Munich.

[huskerdoc2020]

Split headlights it is.

[Lando X]

Originally Posted by huskerdoc2020

Split headlights it is.

Thanks for sharing, this is the first video beyond still shots I've actually seen online.

I'm really on fence as to how this is going to turn out. I'm increasingly of the opinion shared by many, looks like it's going to be a love it or hate it kind of thing.

As tough as dealing with a build this year was/is I'm personally glad I moved ahead. I'm not sure I'm going to love the lci changes nor am I sold on the one piece screen dash that is rumored to be coming with it as well.

[Al Pinã]

Same here. My leases have continually been caught at the tail end of production runs since my X5. It worked in my favor with the 2019 750 as I was able to negotiate almost $20K off msrp, plus I wasn't a huge fan of the giant grille of the LCI G12. This time around I knew the LCI was coming soon, but I'm appalled from what I've seen so far from the test mules visually speaking.

On top of that we're unlikely to see a power bump from the N63, (although the 48v mild hybrid may help with turbo lag) so all we're looking forward to is iDrive 8 and maybe some new tech features. For me that wasn't enough to extend my lease and hold off several months.

[Noah382]

At 53 seconds, you see the driver flip down a cover over the dash. Assuming covering up the long single screen.

My neighbor has the GLS 450 that has a single screen dash which I think it looks terrible. It's straight up and down (not angled) and hard to see the driver side of the screen.

[Noah382]

Originally Posted by Noah382

At 53 seconds, you see the driver flip down a cover over the dash. Assuming covering up the long single screen.

My neighbor has the GLS 450 that has a single screen dash which I think it looks terrible. It's straight up and down (not angled) and hard to see the driver side of the screen.

A few frames I could find of the dash area

[Lando X]

Originally Posted by Noah382

At 53 seconds, you see the driver flip down a cover over the dash. Assuming covering up the long single screen.

My neighbor has the GLS 450 that has a single screen dash which I think it looks terrible. It's straight up and down (not angled) and hard to see the driver side of the screen.

I noticed that flip down too. I actually think it's because the screen may actually not be installed in this unit because it would stick up like Ix and give it away. I don't see any humps in the dashboard though when he does flip that cover which may be the dead giveaway.

[Lando X]

Originally Posted by Noah382

A few frames I could find of the dash area

Ha! Posted a second too soon you are spot on, that definitely looks like the screen. Great catch.

[Lando X]

Originally Posted by Noah382

At 53 seconds, you see the driver flip down a cover over the dash. Assuming covering up the long single screen.

My neighbor has the GLS 450 that has a single screen dash which I think it looks terrible. It's straight up and down (not angled) and hard to see the driver side of the screen.

I agree. This move to screens is a straight up gimmick to save money and some are totally sold. I have met people that are enamored with this idea of everything being like it's a starship from the future, which it's not. A pretty high end 85 inch tv cost like 3k. What do you think a rectangular screen like that runs? A couple hundred bucks maybe? At cost, could literally be as low as 100-$150 I suspect.

All those tactile buttons, knobs,etc. run lots more money. Down the line when cars get into higher levels of automation I've already read that all the manufacturers want to cut down on the usage of electric / manual buttons setups across the boards by moving as much to screens as they can. The irony of Mercedes and bmw making the first move.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by Lando X

I agree. This move to screens is a straight up gimmick to save money and some are totally sold. I have met people that are enamored with this idea of everything being like it's a starship from the future, which it's not. A pretty high end 85 inch tv cost like 3k. What do you think a rectangular screen like that runs? A couple hundred bucks maybe? At cost, could literally be as low as 100-$150 I suspect.

All those tactile buttons, knobs,etc. run lots more money. Down the line when cars get into higher levels of automation I've already read that all the manufacturers want to cut down on the usage of electric / manual buttons setups across the boards by moving as much to screens as they can. The irony of Mercedes and bmw making the first move.

By that logic an iPhone should cost like 5 bucks…

Like it or not the r+d $$ are going into software dev. Automakers are going to focus on attempting to produce the user interaction demanded by the market for the life of the vehicle. Tesla has somewhat unfortunately set the bar for a credible tech forward auto brand or subbrand to be all or mostly touchscreen.

I for one hope the fact the xm concept retained some hard buttons for climate means the ICE/hybrid models will as well, but that is just wishful thinking until we see the first production series model with the new dash

[Lando X]

Originally Posted by xlover

By that logic an iPhone should cost like 5 bucks…

Like it or not the r+d $$ are going into software dev. Automakers are going to focus on attempting to produce the user interaction demanded by the market for the life of the vehicle. Tesla has somewhat unfortunately set the bar for a credible tech forward auto brand or subbrand to be all or mostly touchscreen.

I for one hope the fact the xm concept retained some hard buttons for climate means the ICE/hybrid models will as well, but that is just wishful thinking until we see the first production series model with the new dash

Not exactly that clear cut and there's a little more to it than that, not to mention Apple commands a great average margin ~ 40%. If anything it reinforces the point of it helping save money. Fitting all that tech into a block the size of an iPhone is a little more complex than in the huge front end of a car. Using similar logic, comparing the iPhone size to that of a tv means all of us probably own more than one tv worth >100k.

If you prefer the screen I get it and I can understand some do, but It's reinforcement of it being a cost cutting play. Tech margins are insane, software especially, so going this route really does benefit auto manufacturers if they move in this direction, which is basically what I've heard in the corporate world.

[mjr24]

I could care less about the screen......I mean it's basically taking two screens and putting them into one like the Mercedes (and it's not even noticeable in them).

My bigger issue is the split lights....I can't see how this will look good.

[BigEvan1923]

Well at least the new Range Rover has the M50i engine

[huskerdoc2020]

Shouldn't this appear without the wrap soon?

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by huskerdoc2020

Shouldn't this appear without the wrap soon?

I think they're scared to take it off…

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by BigEvan1923

Well at least the new Range Rover has the M50i engine

This is a step in the right direction for sure. Now if only they could borrow from BMW's electronics.

[Matt 335is]

If it looks anything like the i4 interior, it's going to be awesome!

I love this look:

[Matt 335is]

And as far as split headlights go, the renders already look amazing, and the final version always looks better. Can't wait!

[huskerdoc2020]

I don't quite understand the logic of the single wide screen. It's always going to be broken up by the steering wheel anyway and a blank area is going to be there anyway. My question is iDrive 8 going to come to current X7 models?

[Matt 335is]

Originally Posted by huskerdoc2020

I don't quite understand the logic of the single wide screen. It's always going to be broken up by the steering wheel anyway and a blank area is going to be there anyway. My questions is iDrive 8 going to come to current X7 models?

I'm pretty sure it's dual screens in a single panel if that makes sense.

[Lando X]

Originally Posted by huskerdoc2020

I don't quite understand the logic of the single wide screen. It's always going to be broken up by the steering wheel anyway and a blank area is going to be there anyway. My questions is iDrive 8 going to come to current X7 models?

The longer term idea behind this move (aside from cost cutting), is a few years out from now when manufacturers start moving up to level four automation, that the dash area will start serving more of a dual purpose (eg. driving and entertaining). If you look up a tesla model s plaid you will notice how the steering wheel isn't traditional and many of the stock images show infotainment on the screens. The design of the steering wheel clears that visibility issue some.

Mind you the interior of these things looks dumpy to me vs. a current X7 but that's just my opinion (if you are willing to drop 130K on one of these things it's definitely for the silent 1000 hp engine and not the luxurious interior). Still not exactly sure where and how one leverages said engine exactly

[huskerdoc2020]

Originally Posted by Matt 335is

I'm pretty sure it's dual screens in a single panel if that makes sense.

Yes, that makes sense. Just don't see the boner for it to look like one panel. To each their own.