After months of sharing advances, images of the camouflaged prototypes, and small doses of information administered with a dropper, BMW has finally revealed its new top of the electric range: the i7, a representation saloon (F segment) derived from the 7 Series, with which shares the use of the CLAR modular platform.
This colossal sedan measures 5.39 meters long, 1.95 meters wide, and 1.54 meters high, while its wheelbase is 3.22 meters. It is, therefore, larger than the Mercedes-Benz EQS, its main rival, which makes do with a length of “only” 5.22 meters. The trunk for its part cubes 500 liters, a rather low figure if we take into account the size of the car.
Aesthetically, it follows the path set by the recently renovated X7, from which it takes the double-height headlamps (the upper module integrates the daytime running lights and the turn signals, while the lower one has adaptive Matrix LED technology). The radiator grille, which maintains the typical double kidney shape of the Bavarian firm, sees its size slightly reduced compared to the previous Series 7.
Although details such as the recessed door handles or the blue moldings give it away as a late-season model, classic BMW details such as the Hofmeister curve on the C-pillar or the L-shaped taillights are maintained. of aerodynamic design for its part goes from 19 to 22 inches.
The batteries of the BMW i7 have a capacity of 101.7 kWh
The great protagonist of the interior is the BMW Curved Display, made up of the 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and a 14.9-inch touch screen associated with the iDrive 8.0 operating system. Other novelties are the BMW Interaction Bar, which integrates some controls and is part of the ambient lighting system, the Sky Lounge panoramic roof, the doors with automatic opening and closing, and the BMW Theater Screen system, consisting of a 31.3-inch screen. in widescreen format (32:9) with 8K resolution that turns the second row into a private cinema room.
At the moment only a single version has been presented, called xDrive60. As its name suggests, it has all-wheel drive thanks to the use of two electric motors (one per axle), which produce a combined power of 544 hp (400 kW) and a torque of 745 Nm. It completes the 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 240 km/h. In 2023 a more performance variant called M70 will be added, which will reach 660 hp (485 kW).
Its batteries have a useful capacity of 101.7 kWh and allow it to approve a maximum range of 625 km under the European WLTP cycle (in the United States 483 km EPA are announced). As for the load, it can reach a maximum of 195 kW in direct current, recovering 170 km WLTP in 10 minutes; In addition, it incorporates an early temperature management system to precondition the pack.
