DRIVE QUEST - Exploring the appeal of cars with guests.
Vol.04 BMW X7

DRIVE QUEST - ゲストと探る、クルマの魅力。<br>Vol.04 BMW X7

2024.12.26

Photo： Tatsuki Nakata

Edit： Naoya Tsuneshige

Places you can only go by car. Secret conversations you can only have in the car. Play your favorite music and go wherever your heart takes you. Cars always show us new sights. Maybe it's a little different when you've got your crush in the car. This is a series that explores those thrills and excitements with our guests. Passenger seat passenger of the month, what is the appeal of cars?

Profile

Yuuka Nakajima

Born January 19, 1999 in Aichi Prefecture. Actor. Appears in many commercials and music videos, and some of his most well-known works include the dramas "Even if You Don't Do It" and "Yips." His YouTube channel "Nakashii" has become a hot topic as viewers can see him in his private life.

Instagram: yuukanakashima

Exploring the appeal of the X7 with Yuka.

It has an overwhelming presence. And it exudes a sense of luxury in every direction, from the front, sides, and rear. Even if you're not a car enthusiast, you can recognize BMW, Germany's world-famous automobile manufacturer, by its shining blue and white logos. The manufacturer's lineup is identified by numbers and letters, and the car I drove that day was the "X" series, which refers to SUVs. Within these, the performance and size differ depending on the number, and the "X "7"" is the largest in the series, boasting a total length of 5.17m, width of 2m, and height of 1.835m, making it look like a moving fortress.

Yuuka was always smiling, smiling and smiling. The inside of the car was filled with a happy mood from start to finish.
The gently curving BMW Curved Display sits in the center, with an optimized menu structure for excellent usability.
The handcrafted glass finish around the shift lever gives it an exceptional beauty. Luxury is in the details.
The texture of the leather, the stitching, the beautiful curves... This luxurious space has been designed with attention to detail.
"X" stands for the SUV series, and the "X7" is the largest of them all. Its presence will catch the attention of people passing by.

Sitting in the passenger seat was Yuka Nakajima, an actor who is active in a wide range of fields including movies, dramas, radio and YouTube. Yuka, who also drives a car herself, started off by saying:

"The scenery is completely different from usual. The car is really tall. When we gathered I thought, 'Wow, it's big,' but when I got in the car I felt that even more. This road also felt narrower than usual... It must be hard to turn. It's about as big as a bus, right? (laughs)"

Of course, it's not as big as a bus. But that's a good way to put it, and it may have that much presence on public roads. Of course, the interior is also spacious, ensuring a comfortable drive. In addition, the driver's seat and passenger seat have active ventilation and massage functions. It was more comfortable than home, and I felt a little regretful.

Taking a short break along Komazawa Park. Looking at it like this, I was once again amazed at its size.
At the bakery "VENT DE LUDO," Yuka picked up the "Focaccia Sandwich with Sardines in Oil and Tartare Sauce."
The optional "Sky Lounge Panorama Glass Sunroof" lets in light from above, giving you a feeling of openness.
The front can be opened, but of course it is strictly forbidden to stick your face out.

The driving course for this day was to head to the Tamagawa riverbed, stopping off at a bakery in Oyamadai. Yuka-san actually got her driver's license within the past year. She told us about her relationship with cars.

"My mother is a huge fan of driving. She had a four-wheel drive car, and I remember her taking me on lots of drives when I was little. I wanted to feel like I was driving too, so I would sit in the passenger seat and hold a frisbee instead of a steering wheel (laughs). So, my love of cars today is entirely due to my mother, and I think my love of four-wheel drives and other blocky cars is also entirely due to her influence."

The steering column moves forward, backward and up and down to find the optimum position for the driver.
Various driving information is projected onto the window, allowing drivers to obtain the information they need while still concentrating on driving.
It is also equipped with an omnidirectional monitor and a rear camera. You can freely switch the viewpoint and instantly display the image of the area of interest.
Optional second-row comfort seats provide separate seating for comfort and easy access to the third row.
The trunk space is 750 liters under normal circumstances, but can be expanded to a maximum of 2210 liters by folding down the rear seats.

"At the time, I had the impression that those types of cars (large cars such as four-wheel drive) were bumpy and uncomfortable to ride in, but this car is not like that at all. It's incredibly stable...! And it's very quiet."

Shaking during driving is the fate of large cars... Those days are over now. This "X7" is equipped with a suspension control system called "Executive Drive Pro" that combines extremely comfortable driving with dynamic handling characteristics, and the active stabilizer minimizes body tilt. Therefore, there is no shaking. I thought that my driving technique had improved a little, but it seems that is not the case.

The X7 is one of BMW's luxury models, and the M60i xDrive grade is a particularly high-performance model. It is equipped with the only V8 engine in the series, an 8-cylinder engine, and combines it with an electric motor to achieve powerful driving and quietness.

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the riverbed. It was a clear day with not a cloud in the sky. I remember being unable to look directly ahead, perhaps because of the dazzling sun or Yuka's beaming smile.

"Driving is really great. It's like you can concentrate on the 'now', forget about your worries and thoughts in a good way, and you can immerse yourself in the moment while driving. You can customize it to your liking, surrounded by your favorite fishing and camping gear, like it's your own secret space.

One of my favorite routines in this kind of space is to always drive myself to my late-night radio job. On the way there, I take the time to organize what I want to say, and on the way back, I take the time to reset my brain, which is full of adrenaline as I'm in work mode. Maybe my on/off switch is in the car."

The optional color "Frozen Black Metallic" has a matte texture that enhances the sense of luxury.
The double headlights, separated vertically, show that the M60i xDrive is a flagship model that leads the other models.
The three-dimensional design of the rear lights further emphasizes the modern impression.

This is the fourth installment of the series. We asked Yuka about her impressions of this drive, which is becoming a regular thing.

"Everything is cool... that's the word that sums it up. Not to mention the exterior, the interior and ride comfort were all well-thought-out, and I really felt that it was a car that had been made with great care. I was sitting in the passenger seat the whole time we were driving, but I suddenly wanted to drive myself. I can't control my urge, so I'm thinking that after we break up, I'll take a drive in my own car (laughs). It was a car and a drive that really aroused my curiosity!"