BMW's all-electric i7 priced ahead of Q4 launch

Monday, 15 August 2022

Watch the world premiere of the new BMW 7 Series, including the all-electric i7.

BMW is readying its all-electric i7 as a luxury alternative to the sub-$300,000 electric sports cars, although it still packs plenty of punch.

Arriving here in Q4 as the $276,900 xDrive60, the local i7 uses two electric motors to generate 400kW and 745Nm of torque, which is the same power as the sporty i4 M50 but with 50 fewer Newton metres. That’s still enough to allow for a 4.7 second sprint to 100kph.

Feeding those motors is a 106kWh battery pack, good for a claimed range of 625km. It can recharge at up to 195kW, which adds 170km of range after ten minutes and go from 10 to 80% in just over half an hour.

The all-electric i7 is nearly here, as the sole 7 Series offering for New Zealand.

Those are pretty good figures for a car measuring 5391mm long, 1950mm wide, 1544mm high with a 3215mm wheelbase, along with a 2640kg kerb weight.

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It’s still quite quick, notching a sub-five-second 0-100kph time.

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This is the optional Theatre Screen, a folding 31.3-inch, 8K monster.

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Lots of diamond motifs are dotted around the cabin. Because luxury.

Air suspension on both axles and adaptive damping are both standard, as are LED headlights and taillights. The lower-mounted headlights are hidden below a tinted lens, giving the car quite a mean expression during the day, while the large grille is illuminated at night.

Inside, BMW is debuting the optional 31.3 -inch, 8K Theatre Screen, which folds down from the headliner for rear-seat occupants, backed up by the awesome Diamond surround sound system with 39 speakers, 4D audio and nearly 2000 watts of power.

Because this is really a car to be driven in rather than drive yourself, rear occupants can operate the audio system from two built-in touch panels in the doors, along with rear seat adjustments, the roller blinds, climate control and lighting.

Mention the rear seats, adding the Connoisseur Lounge lets the rear seats recline with an additional calf supports and a folding centre armrest.

In addition, the standard fit panoramic glass roof gets a newly designed light show using light threads that are dynamically backlit by LED units. The sequence replicates the pattern of the seat surface quilting, while the colour of the lighting effect takes its cue from the chosen My Mode but can also be selected independently.

The doors will automatically open and close, provided the vehicle is stationary and at less than 10 degrees of pitch and roll angle.

While this isn’t a full-fat M model, there are M Sport additions, which include M front and rear apron designs, M Sport brakes with dark blue calipers and M side sills in high gloss black. The no-cost M Sport Pro pack swaps the calipers for high gloss black units and adds a rear spoiler and Shadow Line extras, all also in glossy black.

Customers can also opt for an entirely different aesthetic via Design Pure Excellence – also a no-cost option. This replaces Shadow Line with Chrome Line, changes the finish of the brake calipers to grey and adds chrome side sills among a number of other highlights.

BMW says the i7 was built with sustainability in mind, using lots of recycled materials all over the cabin and parts of the exterior.

As above, it will arrive before the end of the year. At the moment, the i7 will be the only 7 Series on sale in New Zealand.