Seventh-generation BMW 7 Series & i7 |
Seven. Many view it as the number of perfection (both physical and spiritual), but in terms of carmaker BMW, the number has a special bond with South Africa as, besides BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in Germany, the only other facility in the world where the 7 Series has ever been assembled is Plant Rosslyn.
The model assembled at Rosslyn was exceptional. It was the only first-generation 7 Series (E23) powered by the M88 normally aspirated six-cylinder engine, delivering 210 kW, making the local 745i the fastest and most powerful of all.
Now, 45 years after the unveiling of the original Seven, BMW has introduced the seventh model generation – a range that, according to the world’s most successful premium vehicle manufacturer, will lead the luxury segment into a new era shaped by innovations in the fields of sustainability and digitalisation.
Central to this vision and reinterpretation is the all-electric i7 luxury sedan – a fully integrated member of the model family that, in BMW’s view, demonstrates how an exclusive driving experience and onboard wellbeing can be combined with a commitment to sustainability.
Thus, according to BMW, the pinnacle of its model range has been designed to meet the needs of a modern target group that sees itself as committed to meeting challenges responsibly – and views personal mobility as a way to experience unique moments in everyday life and on trips away.
Bold Styling
It all sounds fantastic, but the front-end design, dominated by a prominent and oversized kidney grille, is overwhelming and – perhaps purposely – assaults the senses with its bold brashness. However, given the nose treatment of other models, it seems BMW is convinced that stylistically this is the way to go.
The design, while controversial (in much the same fashion as the Chris Bangle-designed fourth-generation 7 Series), at least keeps typical features of the brand and maintains a clear distinction between the Seven and other models in the BMW range.
The high-set, extremely slim strip of Adaptive LED headlights (with matrix high beam and non-dazzling high beam assistant) brings together the daytime driving lights, sidelights and turn indicators. Optional Iconic Glow crystal headlights, with Swarovski crystals arranged in L-shapes, create a unique light effect, enhanced by the contour lighting of the enormous kidney grille.
The chiselled bonnet has a dynamic centreline streak, and a shoulder-line runs from the front to the rear subdivides of the taut bodywork, with the slim LED rear lights exuding puristic elegance.
The i7 is distinguished by BMW i Blue accents, while the optional M Sport package and M Sport package Pro – scheduled for 2023 – radiate brand-typical dynamism. An M Performance package can also be specified, and besides a non-metallic and nine metallic body colour shades, plus four BMW Individual paint finishes, a BMW Individual two-tone paint finish is also available.
Lounge-Like Interior
The luxurious interior strikes a balance between driving dynamics and travelling comfort. The cockpit has significantly fewer buttons, switches and controls, thanks to digitalisation as embodied by the BMW Curved Display screen grouping, consisting of a 12.3″ info display behind the steering wheel and an 11.9” diagonal control display.
The BMW Interaction Bar makes its debut as a new type of control and design element, and also unique is the BMW Theatre Screen with built-in Amazon Fire TV that transforms the rear compartment of the 7 Series into a private cinema lounge on wheels.
New, wider comfort seats with active seat ventilation, optimised cooling, and massage function are fitted as standard in the new Seven. The Executive Lounge option brings a full reclining function, unbeatable seating comfort and a peerless feel-good factor to the rear compartment.
New My Modes create an interplay of vehicle functions, displays and interior ambience. Expressive Mode and Relax Mode can now be experienced, and Theatre Mode and Digital Art Mode will be optionally available. The Touch Command control units in the doors now also allow rear-seat passengers to make phone calls using the audio system.
BMW Individual interior options include an exclusive Merino leather/cashmere wool variant for the seats, panel heating for the armrests and centre console, and Sky Lounge panoramic glass sunroof and an automatic door mechanism.
Market-Specific Portfolio
The global market launch for the new 7 Series, set from November 2022, is reflected in a market-specific drive system portfolio that includes exclusive offerings for China – as BMW’s most important sales region – and a diesel model for Europe (but interestingly, not for South Africa at launch).
Unlike its predecessors, the new Seven, with its larger track and wheels, will only be available as a long-wheelbase model. The range also includes models from the BMW i and BMW M brands, offering a choice of combustion engines, plug-in hybrid systems and, for the first time, all-electric drive. The market launch in Europe will initially feature only the i7.
In addition to the all-electric variant, two other models will be offered initially in the USA, China and other selected sales regions, each equipped with a petrol engine and 48V mild-hybrid technology. Plug-in hybrid variants will reach numerous markets from next year – including the first M model with a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine and plug-in hybrid drive system.
A diesel model with 48V mild-hybrid technology will be added to the range in Europe just after the market launch, and further variants of the i7 will be made available later. South Africa will initially only receive the 740i and the all-electric i7 xDrive60 models.
The all-electric BMW i7 xDrive60 is powered by two electric motors (delivering 190 kW/365 Nm and 230 kW/380 Nm, respectively) with a combined output of 400 kW and 745 Nm of torque (power-to-weight 6.6 kg/kW) for a 0-100 km/h time of 6.1 seconds, a limited top speed of 240 km/h and a proposed range of 590-625 km in the WLTP cycle.
The 740i derivative, with an inline-six-cylinder TwinPower engine (280 kW and 520 Nm) and 13 kW electric motor, has a 0-100 km/h time of 5.4 seconds and can reach a top speed of 250 km/h, according to BMW.
The 760i xDrive will be the flagship model in the USA and China with a 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine producing 400 kW at 5,500 r/min and 750 Nm at 1,800 to 5,000 r/min and an electric motor (13 kW/200 Nm) – good enough for a time of 4.2 seconds from 0-100 km/h and a top speed of 250 km/h.
Next year the 740d xDrive with a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine developing 220 kW and a consumption of 5.9 litres/100 km will be added to the 7 Series portfolio in Europe.
Plug-in hybrids with fifth-generation eDrive tech, which increases the electric range to over 80 km in the WLTP cycle, will follow next year. These include two BMW M models equipped with electrified drive systems. The new M760e xDrive plug-in hybrid, with a combined output of 420 kW and 800 Nm of torque, will debut halfway through 2023. Its electric motor generates a temporary boost worth an extra 30 kW.
The future range-topping BMW i7 M70 xDrive will have an electric drive system with two motors – on the front and rear axle – generating up to 485 kW and more than 1,000 Nm of torque. This most potent road-legal BMW model ever will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in under 4 seconds. Also, a high-security vehicle based on the new 7 Series is now being developed.
Last word
The Seven, built at Dingolfing, the company’s largest production facility in Europe, offers the largest selection of automated driving and parking systems ever offered in a BMW, laying the foundation for implementing Level 3 automated driving functions in the medium term.
This cutting-edge technology in the fields of sustainability and digitalisation, combined with driving pleasure and long-distance comfort, will ensure the success of the new Seven – despite its controversial ‘Bangle bungle’-esque design.
Report by Ferdi de Vos | © Images BMW AG
