The i7, the BMW’s first fully electric 7 series, has been unveiled with a range of over 483 km and top-of-the-line luxury features such as an incredible 31-inch “theatre screen,” massaging seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

The BMW Group (including MINI) doubled EV sales (+112.4%) again after delivering approximately 65,000 fully electric vehicles in the first three months of 2023, while several EV manufacturers have struggled.

Although BMW has stated that lower-priced electric models will be available, the BMW i70 M70 performance EV, the automaker’s most powerful electric vehicle, will not be one of them.

Exterior

With the i7 M70, BMW is adding new two-tone finishes for a grand total of eight combinations with over 100 Individual paint jobs to choose from. There will be some reserved for M models and matte Frozen liveries.

The images released show a Liquid Copper metallic exterior combined with Sapphire Black, separated by an elegant coachline. For the first time, you can have the i7’s illuminated kidney grille with a glossy black contour.

The standard aero-optimized 21-inch alloys come in solid Jet Black with glossy metal inserts. It also gets adaptive two-axle air suspension with electronically controlled dampers and automatic self-levelling, rear-wheel steering, along with an extra shear panel between the bulkhead and the spring strut towers to boost front body rigidity

The blue M Sport brakes with the M logo fitted as standard come with large brake discs for increased stopping power. Brake callipers painted in black are available as part of the optional M Performance package.

Powertrain

The third electric M Performance model, following the i4 M50 and iX M60, outperforms both with 650hp and 1,100Nm of torque. This power can only be unlocked when the M Launch Control or M Sport Boost functions are activated. You still receive a powerful 1,015 Nm of torque in Sport mode.

The shift paddle to the left of the steering wheel is used to activate the M Sport Boost feature, which is represented by performance-specific graphics in the instrument panel. A appropriate acoustic accompaniment is also provided by the standard BMW IconicSounds Electric by Hans Zimmer, which changes to a particularly thrilling, M Performance-specific note.

Don’t be fooled by its big body looks or luxury interior. This dual-motor, all-wheel-drive sedan can do 0-100km/h in just 3.7 seconds. It can go up to 250 km/h until the electronic top speed limiter intervenes. These are remarkable numbers for a car that weighs in at 2689 kg for the US model and 2,695 kg for the European version. These numbers don’t deviate too much from the XM.

The electric all-wheel drive, the steering, the dampers and the driving stability systems are each supported by the M-specific application of all control systems. The motor’s power density of 2.41 kW/kg, which is a 25.5 percent increase over the component driving the rear axle of the BMW i7 xDrive60, makes the BMW i7 M70 xDrive equipped with the most powerful electric motor currently available from the manufacturer.

Battery and Range

The BMW i7 M70 xDrive posts a combined electric power consumption of 23.8 – 20.8 kWh per 100 kilometres in the WLTP test cycle. The high-voltage battery located in the vehicle’s underbody provides 101.7 kWh of usable energy. This gives the BMW i7 M70 xDrive a range of 488 – 560 kilometres.

The i7 M70 xDrive is capable of DC power at a rate of up to 195 kW while AC charging is up to 22 kW. This means that a mid-trip break at a high-power charging station can increase the range by up to 170 kilometres in just 10 minutes.

The launch of the BMW i7 M70 xDrive marks the introduction of a MAX RANGE mode for the all-electric models in the new BMW 7 Series range. This means that the car’s range can be extended by some 15 to 25% while on the move with a push of a button.

Interior and Tech

Some of the highlights of the interior:

• BMW Interaction Bar in the cockpit and the Executive Lounge with optimised reclining function in the rear.
• The unique BMW Theatre Screen and Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System (with optional in-seat exciters turn the rear compartment into an exclusive personal cinema on wheels)
• Parking Assistant and Manoeuvre Assistant can now also be controlled remotely using the My BMW App
• BMW Digital Key Plus ( now with extended lock/unlock function for the automatic unlocking of the doors when approaching the car and the automatic locking process when walking away)
• Contact-free opening and closing function for the driver’s door
• The driver can close the door by pressing the brake pedal

The onboard experience is further enhanced by M-specific content in the BMW Curved Display. The typography and presentation of graphics reflect those in the cockpit of high-performance models from BMW M. The information display’s speed read-out figures have a platinum/silver hue to them. Additionally, when the M Sport Boost feature is activated, a customary M visual accompaniment appears.

BMW OperatingSystem 8.5

The i7 M70 is the first vehicle from BMW to be equipped with iDrive 8.5, which features a revamped home screen with QuickSelect capabilities to avoid using a submenu. It works by arranging icons on the driver’s side of the screen in a vertical orientation for easy access. To enhance the user experience, the menu structure has also been revised.

It also features a BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and other voice-controlled assistants, BMW ConnectedDrive Upgrades, BMW Remote Software Upgrades, video streaming on the control display, smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, My Modes and the Personal eSIM can also be used in the BMW i7 M70 xDrive.

The i7 M70 will go on sale in the second half of 2023; the price will be revealed closer to the debut. Whether or not it will be introduced to the Malaysian market is uncertain. But with the fully electric BMW i7 that’s already here, we are pretty sure that we will get access to the M variant.