New ‘monolithic’ BMW i7 gets refreshed design and up to 452 miles of range
BMW has introduced an updated version of its all-electric i7, with a tidied-up design, 452 miles of range, and almost 690bhp on tap.
This mid-life refresh of BMW’s answer to the Mercedes EQS and upcoming Jaguar Type 00 adopts a reprofiled version of its predecessor’s massive, illuminated kidney grille, and a pair of thin daytime running lights to provide a smarter, less aggressive aesthetic over the outgoing car.
New BMW i7 exterior design
These are also available as a crystal glass option that provides a start-up animation. Meanwhile, the high- and low-beam lights are now recessed into the air dams, rendering them almost invisible unless activated.
Around the back, the re-worked rear end echoes that of the new BMW i3, with the tail lights extended into the centre of the boot, with the BMW logo separating them.
To amplify what BMW describes as a ‘monolithic’ design, the new i7 is available in several colourways, including two-tone and dual-surface variants that combine matte and metallic finishes. A hand-drawn coach line separating the two can also be selected as an add-on.
New BMW i7 interior
The new i7’s cabin has been heavily updated to bring it in line with BMW’s new range of ‘Neue Klasse’ EVs, comprising the i3 and iX3.
A driver-focused 17.9-inch display and a 14.6-inch unit dominate the dashboard, while a pillar-to-pillar Panoramic Vision display runs almost the full width of the cabin. As with the i3 and iX3, this can be customised with several widgets of the driver’s choice.
Bringing together leather, metal, wood, glass, and even crystal, the i7’s luxurious interior offers an optional 31.3-inch 8K theatre screen for those in the back, which is paired with a 35-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound system.
Other options include Executive Lounge seats with leg rests, heated arm rests, and an Alcantara-trimmed phone tray, plus an illuminated ‘Sky Lounge’ panoramic glass roof. This is offset with 40 LEDs, which offer various light displays and colours.
Range, charging and price
BMW offers the new i7 with two all-wheel-drive models and powertrains: 60 xDrive and the performance-focused M70.
It runs on Gen6 battery cells developed and built by Rimac in Croatia to reduce the car’s carbon footprint and increase efficiency. They also have a 20% higher energy density than the previous prismatic cells used by BMW.
The i7’s unchanged electrical architecture means the big Beemer has a maximum charging speed of 250kW, translating into a 10%-80% fast-charge time of 28 minutes. The model with the longest range is the i7 50, which can travel up to 452 miles on a single charge – 65 more than the outgoing car.
The M70 is the most powerful of the lot, with a supercar-worrying 689bhp on tap, along with almost 750lb ft of torque, and a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds. Due to the extra power, the range is reduced to 426 miles.
BMW has yet to announce the new i7’s price, but it is expected to reach well into six figures. Order books will open on May 28, with initial deliveries scheduled for November this year.
