For the first time, the seventh generation of the BMW 7 Series is only available in the 5.39 meter version with a long wheelbase and a fully electric variant, the BMW i7.
The front of the BMW i7 is impressive, even if the black front kidney grille is not as dominant as in other BMW models.
Before the “New Class” becomes the technical platform for electrically powered models from the Bavarian manufacturer in around three years, BMW is pursuing the strategy of making the drive train flexible. This is also the case with the seventh generation of the 7 series. Classic combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and the first all-electric version of the luxury model are based on a vehicle concept, and all variants run on the same production line in Dingolfing in Lower Bavaria. The battery-electric vehicle (BEV) called BMW i7 is not a separate model, but a drive derivative of the series.
This can also be seen in the interior, because here the cardan tunnel separates the footwell lengthwise. Although this is not known from pure battery-electric vehicles, it is due to the concept: BMW uses the tunnel, which is actually superfluous, by accommodating the wiring and control electronics for the lithium-ion battery installed in the underbody. This offers almost 102 kilowatt hours of usable storage capacity.
Even the first glance at the new 7 Series brings with it the realization that customers in Europe are no longer the center of the world when it comes to large sedans. While the 7 Series has always been available with two wheelbase lengths, the seventh generation is only available with a long wheelbase.
Tailored to China and the US
The long wheelbase makes the i7 particularly spacious. The trunk holds at least 500 liters.
The long version is particularly popular in China. 45 percent of the cars produced in the series find buyers in China, 26 percent in the rest of Asia and the Middle East and 20 percent in the USA. Europe only plays a minor role with 9 percent. Accordingly, the – not necessarily small – shorter version fell out of the program. In addition, the 760i with the double-charged V8 will not be offered in Europe.
At a proud 5.39 meters in length, the new 7 Series stretches from the lavishly dimensioned kidney grille surrounded by a light frame to the massive rear end, under which there is a 500-liter trunk. The new face is characterized by the overhead daytime running lights and below them, set back in a niche, the dual headlights in adaptive LED technology with matrix high beam.
Large mouse cinema: Two flat screens provide speedometer display and infotainment in one.
The vehicle length, which is 13 centimeters longer than its predecessor, mainly benefits the chauffeured people in the rear seats. If desired, you can sit down on seats made of leather, merino or cashmere wool, and the doors open and close electrically at the touch of a button. All functions that are good for well-being and entertainment can be controlled with smartphone-sized (5.5 inch) touch displays on the left and right in the rear doors.
cinema on wheels
On request, the 7-series can be equipped with a 31.3-inch “theater screen” at the rear, which slides down from the ceiling and delivers a resolution in UHD quality. The matching sound comes from a Bowers & Wilkins surround system.
The cockpit is dominated by a curved 14.9-inch display, which is attached to the 12-inch digital instrument panel. The “Interaction Bar” control bar below the display with its crystal-like surface offers a lot of bling-bling. Here are touch-sensitive buttons for controlling air conditioning and ventilation or for opening the glove compartment. The strips adapt to the selected ambient light, and the outlets for the vehicle ventilation are hidden underneath.
Optionally, the rear of the i7 becomes a cinema: the 31.3-inch “Theatre Screen” can be folded out of the headliner.
BMW relies on a new generation of software for the assistance systems and has made the 7 Series fit for the medium-term introduction of automated driving to Level 3. In the USA, the developers are already allowed to let the 7 Series off the leash a little more than in Europe: the steering and lane guidance assistant steers the car independently on motorways up to a speed of 130, and unlike in Europe, the driver does not have to use his hands hold the steering wheel. This allows you to drive long distances very relaxed. Lane changes are initiated by tapping the indicator and carried out automatically.
Sophisticated driving autonomy at level 3
Another element shows how powerful the systems already are: when the navigation is switched on, the assistant guides the 7 Series from the far left lane into the selected interstate exit. This worked extremely well during the test drives in California, even in heavy traffic during the rush hour – the driver must have a certain level of trust in the technology and, as required by law, be ready to intervene at any time.
The two drive motors on the front and rear axles of the BMW i7 deliver a total of 400 kW and powerfully push the 2.7-tonne sedan with a torque of 745 Nm. The motors are externally excited by the traction current and made to rotate by the resulting magnetic field. The advantage: No magnets and therefore no rare earths are required.
The driving performance of the i7 is superior and with vertical acceleration of 4.7 seconds for the sprint to 100 km/h in the range of potent sporty cars. Even on winding mountain roads, the i7, which is equipped with an air spring chassis, does not lose its composure – thanks to its low center of gravity, it also circles curves on rather bumpy terrain as if on proverbial rails.
Thanks to electric all-wheel drive and powerful torque, the i7 is also a sprinter, which is otherwise only a sports car.
On mixed passages with a motorway speed of 130, with mountain passages and moderate country road speed, the i7 moves in the WLTP consumption range with just over 20 kWh/100 km. This should also allow a range of around 500 kilometers in everyday life, for the WLTP range of a good 620 kilometers you have to rein in your right foot a bit.
Efficiency should be significantly better in the future
For BMW development board member Frank Weber, however, there is still “a lot of potential that has not been tapped” in the electric drive train. In the next model generation, “we will be able to generate 30 percent more range from every watt-hour of energy,” said Weber. He announced that with the introduction of the so-called New Class, BMW will be using 800-volt technology as the electric platform and will also make a switch to round cells for the battery cells, which score particularly well with their high energy density.
In addition to the already available electric i7, which starts at just under 170,000 francs, a diesel and two plug-in hybrids are available for customers in Switzerland. These will be delivered from spring 2023. According to Weber, the 299 hp diesel with in-line six-cylinder engine is “the best diesel of all time” and basically fit for the upcoming Euro 7 standard.
The infotainment on the rear seats can be operated with smartphone-sized displays.
In terms of price, the 740d xDrive is the entry-level model in Switzerland with a list price of 139,600 francs. Above that are the 489 hp 750e xDrive from 151,200 francs and the M760e xDrive with 571 hp, which costs 169,200 francs. Both plug-in hybrids have an electric range of up to 87 kilometers, which is ensured by a battery with a usable capacity of 18.7 kWh.