BMW unveils the new 7 Series, starting with the all-electric version of the brand's flagship to begin competing with their lifelong rival Mercedes-Benz’s EQS. After 45 years of the first production model 7 Series, in the seventh generation, the BMW i7 xDrive60 will lead the model generation.
The luxury sedan will be built exclusively on the same line at the BMW Group's largest plant in Dingolfing, along with 48-volt mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. According to the manufacturer's plans, they will be available worldwide from November 2022.
The Design
The BMW-typical oversized kidney grille also dominates the electric seven but is completely closed there. According to the Bavarians, there will only be one body variant worldwide, the 17.6 ft long version.
Adaptive LED headlights with cornering lights and matrix high beams are to be fitted as standard next to the grille. At the back, the flat LED rear light unit extends far into the side section. The sports sedan will have at least 19-inch wheels, which can be enlarged up to 21 inches for an additional charge.
In order to underline the luxury design, there will later also be a two-tone paint finish, with two different colors mixed at the top and five different colors at the bottom.
The Interior
The dashboard is dominated by a "curved display" that combines a 12.3-inch information display behind the steering wheel and a 14.9-inch control display under a common glass surface. The touch control unit is ergonomically designed for the driver.
The two-spoke steering wheel, flattened at the bottom, offers control panels with rocker switches, roller sliders, and buttons that are intended to provide feedback when activated. In the optional M Sport package, the steering wheel will have a classic three-spoke design.
Below the decorative strip, the designers have provided a narrow display and control unit that extends well into the door panels. It offers touch-sensitive control panels for controlling ventilation, air conditioning, hazard warning lights, and opening the glove compartment. At the same time, it should also inform the driver about operating conditions and give warnings by means of light signals. BMW calls this the “Interaction Bar”.
The center console houses the iDrive controller, start/stop button, volume control for the audio system, and the newly designed gear selector switch. As standard, the i7 will be equipped with a panoramic glass roof and an electrically powered sliding roof liner.
The highlight of the premium sedan will probably be the "theater screen". The 31.3-inch panorama display in 32:9 format should extend out of the roof lining and be able to entertain passengers with 8K resolution via the integrated Amazon Fire TV. The Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system will probably complete the cinema experience.
With the standard 5G connection, it should even be possible to start a film at home and then continue watching on the go. It can even be combined with the optional lounge seat which has a reclining function and integrated leg rest behind the passenger seat. If desired, the occupants can even sit on fine cashmere wool seat surfaces.
The Power
The BMW i7 xDrive60 will have a drive unit on the front and rear axles. A current-excited synchronous motor, together with power electronics and gears, is installed very compactly in one housing, resulting in an electric all-wheel drive with a total output of 400 kilowatts and an impressive 750 Nm of torque.
If the driving performance of the premium sedan is not enough for you, you should wait until 2023. The Bavarians are planning to go a step further with the i7 M70 xDrive. More than 441 kilowatts and a torque of over 1000 Nm will turn the sedan into a sports car that can cover the 60 miles mark in under four seconds.
The electric motors are driven by the high-voltage battery, which is only 4 inches high and is placed between the axles. With a usable capacity of 100 kWh and adaptive recuperation, which also takes into account inclines, traffic lights, and intersections, the luxury liner should be able to travel up to 388 miles in the best case. Recuperation will be adjustable from coasting to one-pedal driving.
Up to 195 kW flow into the battery at the fast charging station and the high-voltage battery is automatically preheated when the navigation system is activated. Otherwise, it can also be selected manually.
In ten minutes of charging, the range can be increased by up to 105 miles (theoretically according to WLTP). For the first time, navigation will be cloud-based and will automatically select a charging-optimized route.
The Tech
The standard air suspension should regulate the level automatically. Sport mode lowers the car and the vehicle can be raised manually by up to .7 inches on uneven terrain. An electromechanical power steering is intended to make driving as pleasant as possible through a steering angle-dependent translation and speed-dependent power steering.
Depending on the driver's taste, two characteristic options can be selected for sporty or comfort-oriented driving. A computer connected to the BMW cloud via 5G will process the data from the cameras, ultrasound, and wheel sensors. BMW will also enable Level 3 autonomous driving in the medium term.
The usual driver assistance systems will not be missing in a premium-class vehicle. The front collision warning, which recognizes and reports an oncoming vehicle when turning, is particularly noteworthy.
The exit warning is interesting for the occupants, which warns of an acoustic signal, flashing mirror LEDs, and ambient light in the interaction bar if a vehicle or even a bicycle is approaching quickly. The automatic opening of the door is then blocked.
For the future i7 owner, the question will probably arise again and again: "Sit in the front or rather in the back?" Finally, the theater screen might have an answer to that question.
Resources
- Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
- https://www.caranddriver.com/bmw/i7
- https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/20/business/bmw-i7/index.html
- https://www.wired.com/story/the-bmw-i7-ev-has-a-fold-down-movie-screen/
- https://www.topgear.com/car-news/first-look/new-bmw-i7-whats-it-sit-cinema-wheels
- https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2023-bmw-i7-electric-sedan-debut/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/bmw-electric-car-i7-luxury-car-debut-tesla-2022-4
- https://carbuzz.com/cars/bmw/i7
- https://www.motor1.com/news/581026/2023-bmw-7-series-i7-design/
- https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-2022-bmw-i7-600bhp-ev-luxury-saloon-coming-today
- https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/20/23032951/bmw-i7-electric-sedan-announce-specs-price
- https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023-bmw-i7-ev-first-look-review/
Tankut Basar
Tankut Basar is an ARA (American Rally Assoc.) Racing Driver and an FIA Bronze Category License Holder. His passion for driving began with karting like most racers. He started racing internationally at the age of 22. Tankut loves everything car-related and will keep enjoying the drive until the end.
