The longer term is now at BMW. The venerable 7 Sequence has gone electrical, and BMW has packed it with the whole lot possible for the up-to-the-minute luxurious automotive purchaser.
To not be outdone by the Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan, BMW has delivered an govt EV that is able to compete on each level. It’s additionally the most costly at present in its class, although that would change if Faraday Future really begins manufacturing on its FF 91 Futurist subsequent month.
Overview
The BMW i7 is a brand new EV based mostly on the most recent 7 Sequence platform. The 7 Sequence is BMW’s full-size luxurious sedan, made by BMW because the Seventies and now in its seventh era. Along with the i7, the 7 Sequence continues to be accessible with its conventional gasoline engine, with principally equivalent bodywork.
The brand new i7 carries a beginning value of $120,295 together with vacation spot charges, putting its value level nicely above opponents such because the Mercedes-Benz EQS, Tesla Mannequin S, Lucid Air and Audi e-tron GT.
Exterior
From the surface, the 7 Sequence is each inch a full-size German luxurious sedan. The physique styling is conventional, with solely BMW’s idiosyncratically massive kidney grilles making this era considerably distinct from the sixth era. The i7 appears to be like heavy, strong, and carries the gravitas of a automotive whose proprietor is extra more likely to be sitting in again than within the driver’s seat.
Inside
The inside of the i7 is a futuristic wonderland of know-how. As talked about, the automotive is made with the concept that an important particular person will likely be sitting within the again on the right-hand aspect. BMW even makes that seating place totally different with the non-compulsory $7,250 Govt Lounge Bundle. This buys you an extendable leg assist for the right-rear seat, like a straightforward chair.
As anybody who has used a city automotive service is aware of, the entrance passenger seat will get moved ahead so the first asset can stretch out in consolation. There are even small touchscreens constructed into the rear door armrests to permit the boss to manage his or her setting, and a wi-fi telephone charging pad again there.
Within the entrance seats, the vista is a clear, high-tech design. The 12.3-inch driver show and the 14.9-inch infotainment display screen are positioned in a single curved unit that stretches from the driving force’s aspect to the middle of the car, and only a few buttons are included. In order for you it, there’s an enormous 31.3-inch rear seat leisure system mounted within the ceiling and fed by a 5G knowledge connection so you’ll be able to stream your favourite films. That display screen is included within the Govt Lounge Bundle.
One function I discovered laborious to get used to is the automated opening and shutting doorways, a part of the non-compulsory Govt Bundle priced at $6,550. If you’ve spent a lifetime opening and shutting automotive doorways, it’s laborious to attend the additional second for the automotive to swing the door shut when it detects your weight on the seat. Give it one other week and I’d in all probability get used to it, and after a month I would even sit like an fool in one other automotive ready for the door to shut itself. It’s price noting that the one different automotive I’ve pushed with something like this function was a Rolls-Royce.
Oh yeah, the seats are very good and upholstered in Merino leather-based, as you’ll anticipate. All of the contact surfaces are heated, and so forth — the i7 is a six-figure luxurious sedan. You gained’t be disenchanted.
Powertrain
The i7 comes with normal twin motors, entrance and rear. Complete system horsepower is 536, with 549 pound-feet of torque. That interprets to a 4.5-second 0-60 time and a high velocity of 130 mph. As is typical with EVs, there’s no transmission, simply direct drive.
Vary is 296 to 318 miles on a full cost, and the system accepts DC quick charging. The actual world utility of that implies that at most public chargers you’ll be capable to add 100 miles within the time it takes to chill out and luxuriate in a pleasant espresso or a fast lunch. I sat and caught up on e-mails whereas I recharged.
Security and Expertise
As you may think, the i7 comes with a full complement of the very newest in security and superior driver help tech. It’s not intrusive, however like all trendy luxurious vehicles, the i7 will complain at you for those who drift too near the sting of your lane. The parking distance sensors work nicely with the 360-degree digicam system to mean you can park completely. That’s a part of the non-compulsory Driving Help Professional Bundle for $2,100 and the Parking Help Bundle for $1,250.
As talked about, there’s a 12.3-inch driver show and a 14.9-inch infotainment display screen. The working system is fairly simple to make use of, however like most of those techniques, the voice management is the way in which to go. The check car had the non-compulsory Bowers & Wilkins sound system, a jaw-dropping $4,800 add-on. It sounds nice, which it ought to for that type of cash.
Driving Impressions
The i7 grows on you as you drive it. At first it may possibly appear heavy and unwieldy, however that heavy feeling is simply normal BMW sedan driving dynamics. Over time, I got here to understand the graceful, supremely quiet trip, and by the top of the week, I knew I might miss the i7. It’s quick, goes the place you need it to go, and as you’ll anticipate from BMW, it’s very nicely engineered. I used to be in a position to grasp 1-pedal driving on the primary day, and barely touched the brake pedal after that.
On the winding mountain highway that results in the small city the place I reside, the i7 took the curves with aplomb, and didn’t appear to lose a lot vary climbing the mountains. Usually you’ll suck up about 100 miles of vary within the 25-mile climb, then get all of it again once more on the downhill aspect. However the BMW simply made the climb with out drama, after which gave me again all of the vary once more throughout regen. Round city, the i7 is a cushty, easy-to-use automotive, with an enormous trunk.
2023 BMW i7 Specs
Wrap Up
The value would be the Achilles heel of the i7. As I discussed, it begins over $10,000 above the second-place Audi e-tron GT, and the beginning value is about $20,000 greater than the Tesla or the Mercedes. It’s $30,000 greater than the much-praised Lucid Air and even the sporty Porsche Taycan.
The factor is, the $120,295 beginning value is admittedly only the start. By the point you apply all of the goodies that I described, the MSRP on the i7 that I examined was an eye-popping $151,995. I’m not saying you’ll be able to’t get there with a number of the different opponents, however you too can get your self into the Benz or the Lucid for lots much less. With all that in thoughts, the BMW i7 will likely be for consumers who actually need the precise mixture of options that BMW provides and are keen to pay for it.
2023 BMW i7 — Often Requested Questions
Is the BMW i7 accessible now?
Deliveries of the pre-ordered 2023 i7 xDrive60 began in early 2023. Supply of later pre-orders to start out as of summer season 2023, and as a consequence of restricted availability of the 2023 i7 xDrive60, later orders could obtain a 2024 i7 xDrive60 at a value not but decided, however which can differ from the pricing supplied for the 2023 mannequin.
How lengthy does it take to cost the BMW i7?
Each BMW i7 comes geared up with the Versatile Quick Charger. This moveable gadget, appropriate with any 120V or 240V outlet, delivers optimized charging wherever you go. Cost from 0% – 100% in below 12 hours at a 240V outlet. DC Quick Charging will add about 100 miles of vary in half-hour or so.
How a lot does it value to put in a BMW charging station?
The BMW dwelling charger will be bought immediately from BMW for $999, however the price of set up could range relying on the quantity {of electrical} work wanted.
