The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is an exclusive annual event in Italy where the world’s most luxurious and exclusive vehicles are displayed, and it’s the perfect venue for the premiere of the i7 M70. BMW has not provided many details about the car, but it has confirmed that it will be an all-electric M Performance model of the 7 Series and will feature an exclusive two-tone finish.

The i7 M70 will sit at the top of BMW’s electric vehicle lineup with a pair of motors that will deliver a combined output of “well over” 600 horsepower and more than 737 pound-feet of torque. The original press release stated that the i7 M70 xDrive would have as much as 660 horsepower with the overboost function, making it the most powerful BMW production car ever.

However, the i7 M70’s reign as the most powerful BMW may be short-lived, as the company has already announced the XM Label Red, which will pack nearly 750 horsepower from a plug-in hybrid V8 setup. The i7 M70 will have a dual-motor setup that will enable it to go from 0 to 62 mph in less than four seconds, making it a super sedan that is sure to impress.

While BMW has not revealed the pricing of the i7 M70, it is expected to cost significantly more than the i7 xDrive60, which is available in the United States from $119,300. BMW charges an extra $24,400 for the iX M60 compared to the iX xDrive50, and it remains to be seen whether the i7 M70 will hit the $150,000 mark.

The i7 M70 is not the only M Performance electric car to be revealed this year. BMW is also planning to give the next-generation 5 Series Sedan an i5 M60, and in 2024, an i5 Touring will be launched. It’ll be interesting to see whether the long-roof model will also get the M60 treatment.

Overall, the i7 M70 is an exciting addition to BMW’s electric vehicle lineup, and it’s sure to turn heads when it makes its debut at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2023.

The post BMW i7 M70 Coming to Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

Dedicated to high-end audio equipment, the new Bowers & Wilkins and Bang & Olufsen showroom was the place where customers were also invited to get up close and personal with the electric flagship. Interestingly, attendees were given the opportunity to compare the BMW i7’s Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround sound quality to a high-end Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4 home system valued at over €60,000. The optional audio equipment available for the car has no fewer than 36 speakers (four are mounted in the headliner) for a total power of 1,965 watts.

The launch in Romania took place under the “Tech magic” banner, so those who were invited had a chance to play with the latest tech from BMW. The main attraction was unquestionably the 31.3-inch Theatre Screen with an 8K resolution to turn the car into a rolling cinema or an entertainment center since it can be hooked up to a gaming console.

Dozens of orders have already been taken by BMW Romania for the i7, some six months before the car actually goes on sale in the country. Priced from €132,447, the EV model is the first to go on sale locally, with two plug-in hybrid inline-six gasoline models to follow next spring when a mild-hybrid diesel will also join the lineup.

The post 2023 BMW i7 – New Photos from the Romanian Launch appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

As for the EQS, it rides on a bespoke electric platform, separate from that of the S-Class with its gasoline, diesel, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. For this reason, the two Mercedes models have their own visual identities and don’t even share the same body style considering the EV is technically a liftback. The BMW i7 features a more traditional design as the brand gradually transitions to electric vehicles.

The 2023 i7 really is the 7 Series’ sibling since the two largely share the exterior design while having a borderline identical cabin. Depending on your tastes, that can be both a good and a bad thing. While the consensus is BMW knocked it out of the park in terms of the cabin, the styling has been polarizing thus far.

The BMW i7 xDrive60 is powered by dual electric motors, made using no rare earth materials at all. Maximum power output is 536 horsepower and 549 lb-ft of torque. According to BMW, 0-60 mph happens in 4.5 seconds and the i7 has a top speed of 149 mph. Those two electric motors, which provide torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, get their energy from a 101.7 kWh (usable) battery pack, which is said to be capable of up to 300 miles of range. That range figure is a BMW-estimated figure, based on EPA testing procedures.

There are more ways than ever to personalize the 7er, including two-tone paints available for €12,000 in Germany. With the G70, it seems the gap to the Rolls-Royce Ghost has decreased, especially since the new 7 Series now measures 5,391 millimeters (212.2 inches). Since we mentioned the ultra-luxury brand from Goodwood, the 2023 7 Series / i7 also gets automatic doors.

[Source: BMWBLOG]

The post BMW i7 introduced at the 2022 Concorso d’Eleganza appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

Up front, the two cars couldn’t be more different. The BMW i7 is big, bold, and brash, with massively imposing kidney grilles, flashy split headlights, and LED backlit grille trim. On the flip side, the Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan is far more traditional looking, at least as far as EVs go. Its grille, while not actually a grille, is more traditionally shaped and its headlights look like headlights.

In profile, the BMW i7 definitely takes it. While the i7 isn’t exactly a supermodel, the EQS has the silhouette of a melted jelly bean. The BMW i7 looks more like a traditional BMW sedan, with its three-box shape, tall roofline, and Hofmeister Kink. That might not sound sexy but it’s handsome and sophisticated, while the EQS just looks dull.

Out back, the Mercedes-EQS’ rear light bar is more visually interesting than the normal BMW 7 Series lights of the i7 and the way its rear haunches flare out past its pillars gives it real presence. The BMW i7 is so inoffensive from the rear it’s actually boring. There’s nothing wrong with it, just nothing particularly interesting, either.

However, their exterior looks take a back seat to their interiors. Just look at them. Both cars sport absolutely fabulous looking cabins, filled with sci-fi-looking tech, enough ambient lighting to shame a German night club, and simply absurd levels of luxury.

From the front passenger compartment, the Mercedes-EQS’ Hyperscreen is far more impressive looking than BMW’s iDrive 8. Though, taking up all of that real estate with a massive screen does make it seem a bit less premium. Whereas the BMW i7 seems to have a nice mix of old-school luxury and futuristic tech. The way BMW replaced the traditional dash and door panel trim with a crystal-effect light bar is a neat idea and it works beautifully with the natural wood trim higher on the dash.

As nice as it is in the back of an EQS, it isn’t even close to as exciting as the back seat of the i7. Not only do both rear seat passengers in the i7 get their own little screens built into their door panels, to control everything from their ambient lighting to their climate, but there’s an optional 8k theater screen that drops down. It’s so overly opulent and impressive, you’d think it was the back of an S-Class…

The post BMW i7 vs Mercedes-Benz EQS – Comparison appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

New Headlights

Looking at the BMW i7, it looks a lot like the 7 Series, almost identical in fact. That was intentional. BMW’s design team didn’t want customers choosing between the two cars based on style or design. Instead, the Bavarians wanted their customers to choose the 7 Series and then just pick their powertrain. Up front, both the BMW i7 and 7 Series have the same grille and the same new split headlights. The new split headlight design also looks great, giving the front end more visual verticality, which reduces the visual impact of the large grille. Despite being bigger and brasher than the previous-gen 7 Series, this new front end design is actually better looking and less offensive.

The upper portion of each headlight is responsible for daytime running lights and turn signals but has also been designed to represent BMW’s signature dual light effect. Underneath, the lower portion is responsible for the main and high beams but is also tinted, so as to sort of hide in the background until needed.

Down the sides of the car, flush door handles, aerodynamic wheels, and honest-to-goodness Hofmeister Kinks flank the BMW i7. It also gets fancy Rolls-Royce-like automatic doors, which open and close at the push of a buttons. Those aerodynamic wheels are big, too, sitting at 19″ as-standard, with 20″ and 21″ wheel options, including M Performance wheels.

Major upgrade inside

However, it’s inside the i7 that gets truly interesting. Again, much like with the exterior, BMW didn’t want customers to have to sacrifice any sort of interior luxury or comfort by choosing either the gas-powered 7 Series or the all-electric i7. So the cabins are pretty much identical. Front passengers are treated to an all-new dashboard layout that includes lighted crystal-like trim, dubbed the “Interaction Bar”, that can change colors and is one of the more unique features of any BMW interior in history.

The i7 also gets a two-spoke steering wheel but this time it isn’t hexagonal and has a flat-bottom. Also like the iX, the center console features a toggle switch gear selector and the same array of buttons and rotary wheel. Handling all of the tech up front is BMW’s iDrive 8.

If you add the Theater Screen option, you get a massive 31″ 8k widescreen display that folds down from the headliner of the car for a literal theater-like effect. It features built-in Amazon Fire TV, which allows passengers to watch any sort of streaming content they can imagine, through the car’s own 5G data connection.

Power, Range and Charging

The BMW i7 xDrive60 is powered by dual electric motors, made using no rare earth materials at all. Maximum power output is 536 horsepower and 549 lb-ft of torque, which ironically (or not so ironically) gives it the same horsepower as the BMW 760i. According to BMW, 0-60 mph happens in 4.5 seconds and the i7 has a top speed of 149 mph.

Those two electric motors, which provide torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, get their energy from a 101.7 kWh (usable) battery pack, which is said to be capable of up to 300 miles of range. That range figure is a BMW-estimated figure, based on EPA testing procedures.

Charging the BMW i7 is similar to charging the BMW iX. It can be charged at 11 kW AC, or at up to 195 kW on a DC fast charger. However, what makes the i7 different from its taller sibling is its flatter charging curve. Due to improved cooling and software efficiency, the BMW i7 can charge at 195 kW for longer than the iX, which allows it to recoup 80 miles in just ten minutes. BMW has also partnered with Electrify America, to provide all i7 customers with three years of unlimited 30-minute fast charging sessions, enough to almost completely recharge the battery.

BMW i7 xDrive60 sells for $119,300 + $995 destination.  US market launch to commence in Q4 2022.

The post BMW i7 makes its world debut today with 300 miles range appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

This is a common practice in the automotive industry, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, an early prototype drive by the media gives the engineers the opportunity to collect some feedback outside their normal testing cycle. Secondly, the marketing and press departments get to further tease their products before the official market launch. In this case, the official unveil is scheduled for April 20th, and that’s when we will get to see the new 7 Series and i7 in all its glory.

Driving A Camouflaged Prototype

As was the case with the BMW i4 prototype, the test vehicles are always covered with a camouflage tape. The BMW i7 and 7 Series gasoline-powered prototypes were no exception. The morning kicks off in Maisach where BMW also hosts a series of driving schools. The schedule has me driving the petrol-powered 7 Series back-to-back with the i7. And that’s certainly interesting because the two prototypes can’t be any different. The conventional 7 Series uses the new S68 V8 4.4 liter engine with a 48-Volt mild hybrid, while the i7 is a fully-electric drivetrain sharing some components with the BMW iX.

I will talk about the S68 and new 7 Series in a separate drive review, so in this article, the i7 takes the centerstage.

Typical amenities for a luxury limousine

From a tech perspective, BMW hasn’t shared many things with us in the briefing. I was only told that this is a pure electric 7 Series with your typical limousine amenities: integral steering, four-wheel steering, electronically-adjustable dampers and air suspension. There was no word on the battery capacity, range, horsepower output, or any other juicy tech tidbits. But luckily I covered the BMW i7 quite a bit in the past so I was able to draw some educated guesses.

For starters, the BMW i7 prototype felt like a car delivering at least 500 horsepower. As a matter of fact, it felt even more powerful than the BMW iX xDrive50 which comes with 516 horsepower. So I would say that the power range is somewhere between that and 550 ponies. Furthermore, based on pushing the i7 prototype through some tight corners, I’m certain that the xDrive system was part of the package.

So if I put this data together, it’s almost likely that this is an early prototype of the BMW i7 xDrive60 which was recently leaked by BMW of North America. But regardless of its name, the purpose of this test drive was to experience the driving dynamics of the new electric limousine. So the route has me going over a short stretch of unlimited Autobahn speeds before jumping onto the picturesque curvy roads around Munich.

One Word: FAST!

My first impressions? The BMW i7 is bonkers fast. Despite being a quite large and heavy car, the i7 is effortless to drive, and extremely quick off the line. A soft tap on the drive pedal is enough to put you back in the seat before reaching borderline legal speeds. There was no scientific test performed, but I’m confident that a 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) will certainly come in the low 4 seconds.

And just like with the i4 and iX, the torque delivery is instant and fun. Cruising through tight bends reminds me why electric cars can be and will be fun to drive. Not only you can push the car to higher limits, thanks to the quicker power delivery, but you can also effortlessly overtake any slow traffic. There is an eBoost function as well – just like the other electric BMWs – but of course BMW held back those details. Yet, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to feel the extra power and torque delivered in short bursts.

The two-axle air suspension behaves just like in the previous generation, but of course, it has been dialed in for the electric drivetrain and the size of the new 7 Series. It also works together with electronically controlled shocks and adjustable suspension height settings. The suspension automatically adjusts the body height with a lower ride in the Sport Mode. Of course, damping is continuously adjusted, enabling the new i7 to stabilize and smoothen out all irregularities in the road surface.

A new steering gear with standard variable ratio steering rack is also part of the BMW i7 package and that works hand-in-hand with the Integral Active Steering. The latter comes with acoustic decoupling and HSR rear axle slip angle control. Thanks to the four-wheel steering, the rear wheels can turn opposite to the front wheels to increase agility in corners. Of course, it also decreases the turning radius when parking. At high speeds, the rear wheels also turn with the front wheels to increase stability. BMW says that the rear-wheel angle can rise to 3.5 degrees.

The BMW i7 electric also features a near-actuator wheel slip allowing fully variable power transmission between the front and rear wheels. And just like with all rear-wheel drive-based BMWs, the i7 has a RWD bias in normal driving scenarios. Of course, pushing the cars into corners will deliver additional traction at the front-wheels. The overall package certainly feels similar to what I experienced in the BMW iX, but naturally, it has been adapted to the 7 Series platform.

The BMW i7 feels nimble on its toes and it would often make me forget about its heavy weight. The integrated braking system was paired in this prototype with 18 and 19 inch M Sport Brakes which proved quite useful in a couple of close calls.

Lighter Nose, Softer Steering

The steering feedback varies from the V8-powered 7 Series. The lack of a heavy front engine gives the i7 a lighter nose and in turn, a softer steering and decreased feedback from the road. I was also told that there is a slight variation in the balance of the cars as well, but no specifics were given at this time. In my experience, the BMW i7’s steering has a lot more dead zones than in the “regular” 7 Series and certainly feels lighter. Switching to Sport Mode will, of course, fix parts of that behavior.

Speaking of driving modes, the BMW i7 prototype had two modes enabled for me: Personal and Sport. The former delivers balanced settings across the entire tech stack,` and a softer ride, while the latter amps up the sportiness of the electric limousine. And just like most recent BMWs, the gap between the driving modes is significant. That’s by design though, as BMW wants to offer dual-character cars.

I would recommend the Sport Mode if you ride solo in the car, but certainly ride with the balanced setup if you have passengers with you. You also need to be careful with acceleration and braking in an electric car because you can experience motion sickness on an extended car rides. But of course, you can adjust the deceleration via the regenerative braking as well. BMW hasn’t really touched on the subject of brake-regen in the i7, but I’m convinced my prototype was set up in the Adaptive mode. And just like in the iX, the regenerative braking can change with data from the navigation system and by the sensors of the driver assistance systems.

The Most Advanced Driver Assistance Features

That brings me to the next point. The new BMW 7 Series, and implicitly the i7, comes with an extensive system of sensors and radars. A camera for object recognition is embedded in the top section of the windshield, along with a front-view camera placed in the bumper. There are two side mirror cameras and a rear-view one. Two near-range radars sit at the front of the car, along with a long-range radar. Another couple short range radars are placed at the rear of the 7 Series. Furthermore, BMW has included 12 ultrasonic sensors, split across the front and rear of the car.

Level 2 Plus Features

All this new tech works together in delivering the most advanced driver assistance system in any BMW. The new 7 Series and i7 comes with an Assisted View feature which provides augmented reality extension in the instrument cluster. There is also a new Highway Assistant (available only in the U.S. and Canada), along with a Highway Exit Assistant. The latter allows the car to change up to six lanes by itself before existing a highway. The feature will let you know as you approach your exit and by tapping the turn signal, you can confirm the exit.

The former is quite interesting too. By simply taping the turn signal in the desired direction, the new 7 Series will change the lanes. If the car detects is safe to do so. The car will also adjust its speed to safely perform the procedure. Of course, a throttle push will temporarily disable it. The Highway Assistant works at speeds up to 85 mph (137 km/h). Also, for the first time, the driver can enjoy the hands-free driving experience for prolonged times since a push on the drive or brake pedal won’t immediately disable the Level 2 Plus features. But it rather revers to Level 2 functions.

German customers also get the Urban Cruise Control with traffic light recognition. The usual Active Lane Guiding, Emergency Assistant, Collision Warning and Intelligent Speed Assistant are also included. BMW labels these new driver assistance systems as Level 2+, but the new 7 Series and i7 feature the sensor setup for a Level 3 implementation.

The parking systems have been enhanced in the new BMW 7 Series. There is now a Remote Maneuver Assistant, Parking Assistant Professional and Reversing Assistant Professional. The latter can record the path up to 100 meters.

Rolling Noise Kept In Check

Despite rolling on 20 inch wheels with winter tires, the BMW i7 was incredibly silent on the road. There was nearly no outside noise trickling in and the tire noise was kept on the outside as well.  As an alternative to the 20-inch light-alloy wheels, there is a choice of 21-inch Air Performance Wheels. These deliver lower air drag and can be fitted with noise-reduced tire, which have a layer of foam on their inner surface.

The last section of my test route takes me onto the German autobahn where I had the chance to push the car to its top limit. 225 km/h comes really quick in the BMW i7, but of course, at the expense of the electric range. No word yet on the top speed.

Interior Design Similar To The iX

Naturally, some of you might be wondering about the interior design of the BMW i7, but the cabin was well camouflaged and not specc’ed with production-ready materials. Yet, there are a few things worth reporting on. Just like we mentioned in previous articles, the BMW 7 Series, and implicitly the i7, will get the two large and connected curved displays from the iX. The new 7 Series also seems to drop the physical buttons for adjusting the cabin temperature. The center console mimics the one in the iX with a minimalistic iDrive controller and gear shifter. The option of closing the doors with a touch of a button was also present, along with a new steering design featuring a flat bottom.

Unfortunately we couldn’t see the new 31-inch theater screen but we will have a chance to play with that before the official unveil.

Conclusion

Overall, the BMW i7 replicates the iX formula for luxury limousines. In many ways, the two cars are similar, but of course, the driving dynamics slightly vary. In the end, the BMW i7 is the answer to a market looking for a high-end luxurious and electric sedan, therefore it will come with features catering to that customer base. This BMW i7 prototype already feels like a well-refined product with good driving dynamics, and hopefully, decent electric range. Because despite all the luxury amenities and high-tech features, an electric limousine has to deliver a compelling driving range along with fast charging times. And implicitly, a great network infrastructure. But more on that later as we get behind the wheel of the BMW i7 production series.

The post BMW i7 – First Test Drive and Review appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

Not only would that give the BMW i7 M70 immense power, it would also give it real-time, individual wheel torque vectoring. Such torque vectoring would provide the absolute best performance possible, both in a straight line and through corners, while also improving its traction in bad weather.

Though, it does seem doubtful that the BMW i7 M70 would use the same powertrain as the Rolls-Royce Spectre. All new Rolls models use their own engine — a 6.75 liter twin-turbocharged V12 — and the British brand was adamant about not using a BMW engine, so as to distinguish itself from the Bavarian brand. Which makes us wonder if Rolls would prefer to keep its powertrain unique from BMW. Of course, if the BMW Group were to decided otherwise, and give the i7 M70 the Spectre’s powertrain, that’s what’s gonna happen. However, it’d make sense to allow the Rolls to have the most powerful, most advanced electric powertrain under the BMW Group umbrella.

If it does happen, though, and the BMW i7 M70 does get a quad-motor, 700 horsepower electric powertrain, it will be one of the most powerful vehicles in the history of the brand (only the BMW XM will have more, with 750 horses). BMW won’t be making a proper M7 but an i7 M70 would be close enough.

[Source: Car Scoops]

The post BMW i7 M70 Might Deliver 700 Horsepower from Quad Motors appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

The i7 is rumored to deliver between 500 and 550 horsepower, and massive amount of torque. There are no official specs yet since all the details are kept under wraps until April 20th. BMWBLOG says that the i7’s acceleration is instant and brutal, making for an extremely fast driving experience. The BMW i7 prototype was also equipped with an air suspension, four-wheel steering, integral steering and electronic adjustable dampers.

There was no scientific test performed, but the reviewer is confident that a 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) will come in the low 4 seconds. As of right now, there’s at least one model variant confirmed — the BMW i7 xDrive60. On BMW’s website, it reveals a few interesting details about the BMW i7 xDrive60, enough that we can begin to make some likely accurate assumptions. For starters, it’s going to have a BMW-claimed maximum range of 324 miles. That range figure tells us it might have the same 105.2 kWh usable battery pack as the BMW iX xDrive50, as that car also has a max range of 324 miles.

There will be additional models; a higher-performance model and a potential entry-level model. The higher performance model was already teased by BMW CTO Frank Weber. The development boss said that the most powerful 7 Series model will be all-electric which could point to a BMW i7 M70.

However, for now the BMW i7 xDrive60 is all that’s confirmed and these options are all that BMW has released. We’ll see the rest on April 20.

The post BMW i7 Electric – First Video Review appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

Looking large and in charge, the BMW’s belated answer to the Mercedes EQS is seen being pushed hard by the test driver. One would argue that such a large and heavy sedan has no place at the Green Hell, but automakers would beg to differ. The Nordschleife is where the vast majority of European (and South Korean) manufacturers test their future models. It’s a challenging and long track, allowing companies to test different components to solve issues before starting production.

The i7 xDrive60 version has already been confirmed by BMW USA on its website, but it won’t be the flagship trim. Instead, we have it on good authority an M Performance version will be the crown jewel, potentially dubbed i7 M70. It should serve as an indirect replacement for the soon-to-be-discontinued M760i and its mighty V12. Nothing is official at this point, but we’re expecting roughly 640 hp to top the 610-hp iX M60.

BMW has already teased split headlight design, along with the pop-up door handles and a thin strip for the taillights.The i7 is next in line to get the bigger grille, not that the outgoing 7er LCI has small kidneys anyway. Although the footage only captures the exterior, we know for a fact that the cabin will be radically changed. Aside from the adoption of iDrive 8, the range-topping BMW will have a screen just for the front passenger. In the back, a huge 31-inch panoramic display will take rear entertainment systems to a whole new level.

Source: Automotive Mike / YouTube

The post 2023 BMW i7 Spied At The Nurburgring appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

The BMW i7 xDrive60 will also get large kidney grills, they’re going to be illuminated, much like many of its traditional ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles. In addition to the illuminated grille, the BMW i7 will also get what BMW calls crystal headlights, which will be integrated into its new split headlight design. According to BMW, “Crafted with the most exclusive crystal glass, available Crystal Headlights make a boldly luxurious statement.”

Inside, the 31″, 8K resolution, 5G connected screen will provide epic rear seat entertainment to passengers, all while immersing them in the car’s fantastic Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system. The screen itself seems to fold up flat with the headliner when not in use and fold back down when needed.

The other interesting bit is the all-new “BMW Interaction Bar”. Essentially, it’s a lovely looking illuminated glass bar that runs horizontal across the dashboard. The bar features touch-sensitive panels that control the front air vents.

There will be additional models; a higher-performance model and a potential entry-level model. The higher performance model will be the most powerful 7 Series model and it could be called the BMW i7 M70 (or simply BMW i7 xDrive70).

[Source: BMW]

The post BMW i7 xDrive60 will go on sale this year in United States appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.