BMW is leading the luxury segment into a new era that will be shaped by innovations in the fields of sustainability and digitalization. With the new BMW 7-Series, the world’s most successful manufacturer of premium vehicles is creating forward-looking ways to enjoy pure driving satisfaction, unsurpassed long-distance comfort, and a top-end digital experience. Central to this reinterpretation is the BMW i7. The models at the pinnacle of BMW’s luxury range are wrapped in a new definition of luxury that focuses on the individual and their personal attitudes, needs and emotions. In addition to presence, elegance and exclusive premium quality, there is a progressive approach characterized by innovations that directly enhance the user experience, wide-ranging connectivity, and standard-setting sustainability of the new 7. In this way, the new BMW 7-Series has been designed to meet the needs of a clientele that sees itself as committed to meeting challenges in a responsible manner – and one that views personal mobility as a way to experience unique moments in everyday life and on trips away. The all-electric luxury sedan is a fully integrated member of the 7-Series line, and clearly demonstrates how an exclusive driving experience and the ultimate feeling of on-board wellbeing can be combined with an unwavering commitment to sustainability.
The brand’s hallmark twin circular headlights and BMW kidney grille have been newly interpreted. The light functions are now divided into two separate areas, with the upper elements acting as the more prominent focal point, especially when highlighted by optional Swarovski crystal details. This gives the front end of the new BMW 7-Series a progressive and memorable appearance. The low-beam and high-beam headlights are positioned in the dark lower units set deep into the front apron. These lights only become visible when switched on after dark. The new BMW 7-Series comes standard with Adaptive LED Headlights including cornering light and high beam assistant. The slim strip of lights set high up in the front end brings together the daytime driving lights, side marker lights, and turn indicators. Their crisp graphic replicating a pair of upturned “L”s projects a technically sophisticated feel. The optional crystal headlights create an all-new light effect that is both highly dramatic and completely functional. Crystals from Swarovski – again arranged in L-shapes and each backlit by 14 LED units – function as side marker lights and daytime driving lights. Whether the lights are switched on or off, the crystals reflect the available light in a multitude of facets. Even sunshine sparks a unique aesthetic in the crystal structure and brings the front end to life.
The crystal headlights also play a role in a visually expressive Welcome and Goodbye Scenario. When the customer approaches their car, first the illuminated surround of the BMW kidney grille is activated, followed by the enhanced sparkle of the BMW crystal headlights. Then the standard-fit dynamic light carpet is revealed. LED lights integrated into the door sills project four graphics, one after the other, onto the ground just outside the doors of the new BMW 7-Series. This welcome display continues in the interior as part of a neatly composed choreography that enhances the luxury-infused digital experience. The clean surfacing of the front apron, with only a small number of contour lines, underscores the muscular and solid appearance of the new BMW 7-Series. The car’s width is also emphasized by the single-piece lower air intake and slim side intakes positioned at the outer edges of the front end. Another unique design cue for the new-generation car is the chiseled hood with a dynamic streak down its centerline. The expressive design features created for the exterior of the new BMW 7-Series authentically reflect its place atop the BMW luxury class and the promise of an extraordinary on-board experience. The vertically prominent front end, with the combination of the optional illuminated BMW kidney grille presiding as its centerpiece and two-piece split headlight units, give the new 7-Series a powerful and distinctive presence. The front-end design, developed specifically for BMW’s flagship models, enables clear differentiation from the brand’s other models.
The 2023 BMW 740i is powered by a thoroughly upgraded version of the iconic B58 3-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine. Now dubbed B58TU2, the new Miller cycle six-cylinder features redesigned intake ports and combustion chambers, electronically controlled VANOS variable camshaft timing, and 48-volt mild hybrid technology. All of this adds up to a typical BMW outcome: more power, lower emissions. And for the very first time in its history, the 7-Series is now available fully electric. Featuring two highly efficient current-excited electric motors with a combined output of 536 horsepower and 549 lb-ft of instantaneous torque, the i7 xDrive60 will sprint from 0-60 in about 4.5 seconds while returning an estimated range of up to 300 zero-emission miles in utter silence and profound luxury (estimated range of up to 300 miles according to preliminary BMW AG tests based on the EPA’s test procedure standards). The 760i xDrive combines the relentless power of the 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8 with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. The new V8 borrows technology from BMW Motorsport, and features a new exhaust manifold, external oil cooling, and further developed turbocharging. The V8, too, gains 48V mild hybrid technology, and with the electric motor integrated into the new eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission delivers the twin benefits of optimized response and power delivery under acceleration, and greater efficiency thanks to adaptive recuperation.
The models in the new BMW 7-Series range are based on a flexible vehicle architecture that has been devised for three different drive types from the outset. This has made it possible to equip the luxury sedans not just with the new modular generation of BMW Group Efficient Dynamics engines – all of which now come with the latest 48V mild hybrid technology – but also plug-in hybrid systems and even an all-electric powertrain. Despite these differences, all model variants are manufactured on a single assembly line at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. As a result, purely electric mobility now also plays a key role at the very top of the BMW luxury class. No model captures the range’s forward-looking premium character with its strong emphasis on sustainability better than the new BMW i7. An emotional driving experience, passenger comfort and a luxurious ambience without compromise – and with zero local emissions: the BMW i7 xDrive60 has it all. Its fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology comprises highly integrated drive units at the front and rear axles that bring together the electric motor, power electronics and transmission within a single, very compact housing, plus the accompanying charging technology and high-voltage battery. Control of the adaptive recuperation function has been further refined in the BMW i7 to increase range. The efficiency with which the BMW i7 receives charging and the durability of its high-voltage battery both benefit from the latest advances in the field of charging technology.
The electric motors work according to the principle of an electrically excited synchronous motor, where it is a precisely controllable electrical feed that sets the rotor in motion rather than fixed permanent magnets. This design precludes the need for rare earth metals altogether in the manufacture of the rotor. The experience when accelerating is defined not just by the car’s electrifying, instantaneous power delivery, but also by its supreme traction and directional stability. Underpinning the dynamic prowess of the BMW i7 xDrive60 are its electric all-wheel drive and its precisely tuned driving stability systems headlined by the near-actuator wheel slip limitation. The fully variable drive system is intelligently connected with the system of powertrain and chassis control functions, whose extremely quick and precise responses help to sustain thrilling forward momentum even in adverse road and weather conditions. The virtually silent power delivery of the BMW i7 xDrive60, and the luxurious sense of driving comfort this instils, are further helped by improvements to the electric drive units’ acoustics, a model-specific mounting concept and newly developed noise encapsulation for the electric motors. The motor driving the rear wheels generates peak output of 308 bhp, while the unit at the front axle produces 255 bhp. The drive units combine to deliver a maximum output of 536 bhp and overall torque of 549 lb-ft. All of which enables the new BMW i7 xDrive60 to surge from 0 to 60 mph in an estimated 4.5 seconds. The top speed of the new BMW i7 xDrive60 is electronically limited to 149 mph.
The adaptive recuperation feature familiar from the BMW iX and BMW i4 models has been further honed for the BMW i7 and is now also able to take downhill sections and information from the traffic light recognition function into account. Adaptive recuperation generally allows the intensity of brake energy regeneration during deceleration and braking to be automatically optimized for the road situation, as detected using data from the navigation system and the driver assistance systems’ sensors. When approaching an intersection, for example, the level of recuperation can be increased – even if route guidance isn’t activated – thereby feeding energy back into the high-voltage battery while harnessing the deceleration effect at the same time. On the open road, meanwhile, the coasting function can take over, allowing the car to “freewheel” with no drive power whenever the driver eases off the accelerator. Energy is no longer supplied to the two electric motors in this state, meaning no battery power is consumed. Adaptive recuperation is the default setting in driving position D. Alternatively, the driver can choose a high, medium, or low brake energy regeneration setting for all driving situations in the BMW iDrive menu. The highest recuperation setting is automatically activated in driving position B, which also produces the characteristic one-pedal feeling. Information on the energy flow can be viewed in the control display no matter which driving position is selected. The range horizon clearly illustrates the impact of driving style on the high-voltage battery’s charge level.
