2023 BMW i7 xDrive60 unsurpassed long-distance comfort and a top-end digital experience. Central to this reinterpretation is the BMW i7. The generation change at the pinnacle of BMW’s model range is wrapped up 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 characterised by innovations that directly enhance the user experience, wide-ranging connectivity and standard-setting sustainability of the car. In this way, the new BMW 7-Series has been designed to meet the needs of a modern target group 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 model family 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 new BMW 7-Series incorporates a modern style that focuses on the essentials in its exterior and interior design. The front-end design for BMW vehicles in the luxury segment is dominated by features that are typical of the brand, but a clear distinction is maintained between these models and the others in the BMW range. Innovative features such as the BMW Theatre Screen, the multi-sensory vehicle experience BMW iDrive with the latest generation of BMW Operating System 8, plus the BMW Curved Display and the Manoeuvre Assistant for automated parking and manoeuvring, highlight the progressive character of the luxury sedan. In addition to the enhanced level of comfort and the unique in-car entertainment system, the Executive Lounge option for the rear with optimised reclining seat position and new BMW Individual Merino leather/cashmere wool interior trim takes a pioneering route to maximising wellbeing inside the car. Its global market launch, starting in November 2022, marked a key milestone in BMW’s current model offensive in the luxury segment. The BMW i7 xDrive60 and the BMW 740i were available in South Africa at launch in Q4 2022, to be followed by the BMW 740d xDrive in the second half of 2023. Forty-five years on from the debut of the BMW 7-Series, the seventh model generation takes to the stage as the most advanced and innovative vehicle in the luxury segment. At the same time, the new edition captures the imagination with an overall design coherence unmatched by any rival. The BMW 7-Series is therefore once again a symbol of the BMW Group’s innovative strength.
The visually powerful and exclusive appearance of the new BMW 7-Series signals the presence of a standout driving experience and progressive luxury, combined with the exceptional spaciousness and innovative digital experience of the rear compartment. The upright front end and new interpretation of the twin circular headlights and BMW kidney grille – both signature BMW design elements – bring a powerful distinctive presence to the car’s visuals. The impressive presence of the front end is also enhanced by the BMW kidney grille’s contour lighting. Together with the BMW crystal headlights Iconic Glow, it lays on a visually expressive Welcome and Goodbye Scenario. Further specific design fetures of the new-generation model include the clear surface work of the front apron and the chiselled bonnet with dynamic streak down its centreline. The new BMW 7-Series comes as standard with Adaptive LED Headlights, including matrix high beam and the BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling high beam assistant. The light functions are divided into two separate areas. The extremely slim strip of lights set higher up in the front end brings together the daytime driving lights, sidelights and turn indicators. The optional BMW crystal headlights Iconic Glow create a light effect unmatched by any other car. Here, crystals from Swarovski – arrange in L-shapes and each backlit by LED units – perform the role of sidelights and daytime driving lights. The low-beam and high-beam headlights are positioned in the dark lower units chiselled deep into the front apron.
With its monolithic surface design, exterior measurements that have grown in a discreet and harmonious way, and the forward-surging front end of the car, the side view of the new BMW 7-Series brims with visual elegance. This impression is reinforced by the virtually flush-fitted side windows with invisible seals. A shoulderline running from the daytime running lights into the rear lights subdivides the taut bodywork. The long doors provide ease of entry and exit for the rear passengers. The BMW i7 uses accents in BMW i Blue to advertise its segment-leading sustainability qualities, while the design elements included in the optional M Sport package radiate brand-typical dynamism. Also available is the M Sport package Pro. Like the front end of the new BMW 7-Series, the eye-catching rear is also shaped by a clearly divided surface structure. The slim LED rear light units exude puristic elegance extend well into the car’s flanks. One non-metallic and nine metallic colour shade can be ordered for the paintwork of the new BMW 7-Series’ body. Also available are four BMW Individual paint finishes, with extremely body BMW Individual special paint finishes set to be added to the range at a later state. A new addition to the spectrum of colours available from the factory for all model variants is a BMW Individual two-tone paint finish.
The new BMW 7-Series was designed from the ground up for particularly demanding target groups in a globalised marketplace. The new generation of luxury sedans from BMW opens up a whole new dimension in spaciousness. Unlike its predecessors, the new BMW 7-Series is available worldwide exclusively as a long-wheelbase model that maximises space in the rear. The new BMW 7-Series now offers a choice of combustion engines and all-electric drive for the first time ever. The degree of diversity in the drive system portfolio is based on a newly developed flexible vehicle architecture and is an expression of a global model strategy for the new edition of the BMW 7-Series. The new BMW 7-Series was launched exclusively in the form of the pure electric BMW i7 xDrive60, powered by two electric motors which together develop 400kW and an array of innovations that increase its range to 590 – 625 kilometers. In South Africa, two models with 48V mild hybrid technology were also be offered from the start of sales. A six-cylinder in-line diesel engine developing 220kW in the BMW 740d will be added to the drive system portfolio in the second half of 2023.
Luxury at its most progressive awaits the driver and passengers inside the new BMW 7-Series. The interior reflects the balance between driving dynamics and travelling comfort that marks out the the new-generation model. To the driver, the new 7-Series is a alluringly dynamic sedan, while the rear-seat passengers can luxuriate in a feel-good ambience from another dimension. The cockpit of the new BMW 7-Series has a significantly lower number of buttons, switches and controls than the predececssor. The key, here, is the commitment to digitalisation embodied by the BMW Curved Display. This fully digital screen grouping consists of a 12.3-inch information display behind steering wheel and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches. The steering wheel and the gear selector on the centre console also have a new design. And the BMW Interation Bar makes its debut here as a new breed of control / operation and design element. This functional unit, which boasts highly effective backlighting, extends across the full width of the instrument panel and well into the door panel trim.
Thenew multi-sensory vehicle experience BMW iDrive included as standard in the new BMW 7-Series allows drivers to enjoy intuitive, multimodal control of the vehicle, navigation, infortainment and communication functions, and also the digital services. It is based on the latest-generation BMW Operating System 8 softwear, and geared dynamically towards interaction using touch and voice controls.Besides the BMW Curved Display and BMW Interaction Bar, the latest-generation BMW Head-Up Display, also fited as standard, and the optional Augmented View feature, now shown in the information display behind the steering wheel for the first time, also provide exactly the right information and optimum guidance in all driving situations. The new My Modes create an all-encompassing interplay of vehicle functions, displays and interior ambience. Expressive and Relax modes can be sampled for the first time in the new BMW 7-Series, along with the optional Theatre Mode and the Digital Art Mode. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant comes with additional skills and can take on the appearance of around 20 different icons in the new BMW 7-Series. The BMW Maps navigation system offers BMW i7 drivers improved functionality when it comes to charging-optimised route planning. The Touch Command control units in the doors now also allow rear-seat passengers to make phone calls using the car’s audio system.
