From the all-new M5, and i8 Spyder, to the 6-Series Gran Turismo and facelifted i3, BMW's Frankfurt Motor Show line-up is looking very promising indeed. Looking ahead to the future, the Bavarian automaker will also showcase several concept cars including an all-electric Mini. BMW earmarked today for a "big" reveal that will also be debuting at Frankfurt, but thanks to this week's leak we already knew what BMW has been teasing. Say hello to the BMW X7 iPerformance, a full-size concept SUV previewing the X2's big brother slated for production next year.

What you're looking at here is set to become the largest and most luxurious SUV in BMW's history when it goes into production. Just as the stunning 8-Series Concept Coupe was a statement of intent for BMW to take on high-end luxury cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the X7 Concept previews BMW's new flagship SUV to rival the almighty Range Rover. A spacious cabin sports three rows of seats for six passengers, though the production model is expected to have room for seven people. Measuring 5020 mm in length, 2020 mm in width and 1800 mm in height, the concept is 113 mm longer, 82 mm wider and 37 mm higher than the current BMW X5, with the wheelbase being 76 mm longer at 3010 mm.

The brash exterior design is a radical departure from BMW's design language, and is similar to what we saw for the 8-Series Concept Coupe. BMW's signature kidney grille is noticeably larger than ever before, complemented with wide and narrow LED headlights, resulting in an imposing front-end. LED taillights stretch across the entire width of the tailgate, while the stylish panoramic glass roof beams copious natural light into the cabin. Overall, the styling is surprisingly minimalist. Inside, there's a digital instrument panel situated next to a wide infotainment screen and a futuristic steering wheel similar to the 8-Series Concept Coupe.

Passengers in the second row also get their own entertainment screens that can be used to schedule music on the stereo. As the iPerformance name suggests, the concept SUV is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain. BMW hasn't detailed exact specifications, only disclosing that it has a TwinPower Turbo gas engine paired with an electric motor. Reports have suggested that the combustion engine is the same four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbo unit that powers the 740e xDrive iPerformance. "Since BMW founded the Sports Activity Vehicle segment with the first X5 back in 1999, every subsequent X vehicle has broken new ground," said Ian Robertson, responsible for Sales and Brand at BMW.

"The BMW X7 continues this tradition: the X family's new top model extends BMW's offering in the luxury class and redefines the concept of luxury for the BMW brand and beyond. Furthermore, the BMW Concept X7 demonstrates it's perfectly possible to combine a large sports activity vehicle with an electrified drivetrain." Look out for more photos of the X7 iPerformance in the metal next week when it debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show.