BMW has revealed its most luxurious electric car yet – the i7, which based on the all-new 7 Series.
- BMW i7 gets two variants
- Will be sold alongside the all-new 7 Series
- Rivals the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Porsche Taycan globally
2022 BMW i7: exterior and interior highlights
The 7 Series and i7 are quite similar in terms of their exterior appearance. Like the upcoming i4, which is based on the ICE-powered 4 Series, the differences are mostly restricted to the blue accents throughout the exterior and the “i” logo on the massive grille. The i7 has the same bold face, with a split headlamp design, and a clean look to the side and the rear.
On the inside too, the i7 remains largely similar to the 7 Series, with a curved digital display for the infotainment and instrument cluster, with BMW’s latest iDrive 8 infotainment system, as seen on the iX and the i4.
2022 BMW i7: powertrain details
Globally, the i7 range starts with the xDrive 60 variant, which produces a combined 570hp from two electric motors, similar to the iX. In combination with a 101.7kWh lithium-ion battery mounted within the floor pan, it also delivers combined consumption of between 18.4 and 19.6kWh/100km, giving it an official range of of 590-624km on the WLTP test cycle. BMW claims a 0-100kph time of 4.7sec and a limited top speed of 239kph.
A more powerful 605hp M70 XDrive will join the line-up next year, and will take on the Mercedes-EQS 53.
The i7 can be charged at up to 11kW on an AC system, and up to 195kW on a DC system, with BMW claiming a 10-minute charge on the latter can add 170km to the range.
The company claims the i7's charging hardware has been improved over the existing CLAR-based i4 and iX EVs, which helps control the temperature of the battery "more precisely" and gives quicker and more detailed information about chargers on a given route via the sat-nav.
BMW says "a charging-optimised route is calculated as soon as the destination has been entered" if the car calculates that the remaining range in the battery is insufficient for the journey.
The adaptive regenerative brakes have been upgraded too and can now take into account any downhill sections or traffic lights on a planned route, to ensure optimal power regeneration on the fly.
The i7 xDrive60 gets adaptive, self-levelling air suspension as standard all round, which lowers by 10mm in Sport mode and at speeds of over 120kph for maximum stability. It can also be raised by 20mm to clear tall obstacles or rough sections of road.
BMW has yet to provide full details of the electric-powered i7 M70 xDrive range-topping model. However, officials have revealed to our sister publication Autocar UK that the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 rival is planned to run a more heavily tuned version of the i7 xDrive60 twin-electric drivetrain developing 603hp together with “a big increase in torque”.
2022 BMW i7: India launch timeline and rivals
While there is no official confirmation, we expect BMW to bring the i7 here alongside the ICE-powered 7 Series. Upon its arrival, the i7 will target cars like the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Porsche Taycan. The Taycan is already on sale in India, while Mercedes-Benz is expected to bring the EQS sometime this year and locally assemble it at the company’s Chakan plant.
BMW currently has the iX and the Mini Cooper SE EVs in its India portfolio, with the i4 set to launch later and become India’s longest range EV with a claimed range of 590km.
What are your thoughts on the 7 Series going electric? Let us know in the comments.
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