BMW i7 Review - The All-Electric 7th 7
Since the first ever 7 series appeared in the late 1970s, the BMW 7 has been an example of luxury, a representation of status and a trailblazer for technology and refinement in the luxury car sector. The 7 series has been the choice car for chauffeur-driven businesspeople, diplomats, political leaders and even royalty. And so, now that the 7th 7 is here, it's time to marvel at what's new and perhaps unsurprisingly, there is a lot to unpack.
BMW's big luxury limousine has been around since the late 1970s. The first-ever BMW 7 Series (code: E23) was launched in 1977 and introduced multiple features seen for the first time on BMW models within its ten-year production lifespan. ABS braking systems, double wishbone suspension, an onboard computer, a service interval reminder and a check control panel came as standard, alerting drivers to faults, alarms and requirements to top up fluids. The first ever 7 series even featured a dictaphone and a climate control system that monitored and adjusted the interior temperature through computer management systems. Consider that most other manufacturers hadn't yet mastered the art of electric windows in their models at this time, and you'll realise just how significant the new BMW flagship was.
In 1988, the 2nd generation 7 arrived with even more tech and luxuries. Codename E32, the next iteration of the 7 series, featured double glazing, traction control, electronic suspension damper control and duel zone climate control, enabling the driver and passenger to have different temperature levels inside the car for the first time. There were also two new powertrain options. In addition to the already successful inline 6-cylinder, there was also a V12 engine option and, later on, a V8 option. Another critical chapter to the 7 series story occurred in the E32 era with the arrival of 'L' models. The L, standing for 'lang' (German for long), signified an extended wheelbase version of the already larger-than-average car for extra legroom in the backseats. The L feature would remain as an optional specification on all 7 series models moving forward.
1994 saw the arrival of the E38 7 series, and, as one might expect, BMW had found its groove. The marketing and engineering teams had learned what the consumer liked and produced the 3rd generation 7 with more tech, luxury, and new safety features. The E38 was available with an inline petrol six-cylinder, a V8 or V12 engine option and a turbocharged diesel straight 6 in some European markets. The E38 7 boasted curtain airbags, an in-built satellite navigation system, and a television as an optional extra for buyers.
Following the E38, the model codes accelerated almost as quickly as the available tech. The 4th generation 7 was launched in 2001 and was known as the E65, E66, E67, and E68. It introduced features such as smart keys and night vision to the range. The 5th generation launched in 2008 and was known as the F01, F02, F03, and F04, with the first-ever turbocharged petrol engine (V12) and an active hybrid drivetrain available to specify from the factory.
The 6th gen, known as the G11 and G12 models, arrived in 2015 with, you guessed it, more tech, more powertrain options, more safety and some new components, including carbon fibre polymer chassis components.
The 7th generation, known as the G70, follows the tradition of multiple optional powertrains, including a petrol-powered plug-in hybrid option, an inline 6 cylinder or a V8. The V12 engine option has been dropped for the range, but in its place is an all-new powertrain (as tested) - the fully electric battery EV.
The powertrain is the prominent place to start, and as BEV is an all-new option for the i7, it is a good point for the initial focus. There is no difference in body shape or size between the ICE and BEV versions of the G70. In place of an engine, a collection of motors, modules, cabling and cooling systems are located under the bonnet to help regulate battery temperatures. As is traditional with BMW EVs that share platforms with ICE variants, there is no front storage upfront. Fortunately, the boot has an exceptionally generous 500 litres of storage space, although you are limited to just that - with no option for folding rear seats.
The car's exterior is likely to be the next talking topic, mainly thanks to the BMW design team. As they have done with the new M3 and M4 models, the new iX models, the new i5 model and the latest 2 series models, the design team have styled the i7 in a way that's causing some relatively strong opinions. Historically, the design of 7 series models has been a real hit-and-miss for buyers and the social media comment sections, but I think it's fair to say that the latest model has caused the most significant reaction to date.
The car has been designed for its primary target market, which is 35-45-year-old Chinese men - Yes, really. BMW predict that around 45% of the market share of buyers will fall into this very specific category, which means everyone else will have to live with the way it looks. Whilst I'm personally not completely sold on the styling, I don't feel it deserves some of the extremely negative opinions raised by the average Instagram comments section. At nighttime (no jokes intended here), it makes much more sense once the headlights are on. The lighting joins the dots and connects the lines, which otherwise get a little lost and confusing when not illuminated.
The bold design theme continues inside; however, the reaction is less 'oh, gosh' and more 'oh, great!'. The 7 series has always excelled at interior design, comfort and technology, and the new car doesn't miss a beat in this department. Once inside, you're sat in what is arguably one of the most comfortable seats available. The seats up front are fully adjustable in every aspect, from headrests to side bolsters. Depending on the options ticked at the time of specification, additional seat features are available, including full-body massage options and variations of heating, cooling and ventilation. As a driver, the position is perfect, thanks to the seemingly endless list of possible positions, and there are helpful guides programmed into the infotainment system that assist in finding the best position.
Due to BMW's new interior design featuring the large wrap-around screen, the centre console and instrument clusters are very minimalistic compared to previous models in terms of switchgear. Whilst some may complain that quick tasks like altering the climate control are no longer achievable with the prod of a physical button, the screen is very intuitive, and the automatic climate control functions will always be far better at achieving the preferred temperature than a human will. Another way to avoid the button search is a standard feature on the i7 - the BMW assistant. BMW's latest assistant feature allows you as a driver to command actions by voice in the car and alter everything from opening and closing individual windows to adjusting climates or switching on heated seats.
Other new technological features and upgrades include Automatic Parking Assist, the ability to control the car from a mobile app - handy for getting the car in and out of tight parking spaces without needing to be inside the car, and a feature which memorises a particularly regular complex parking procedure. You demonstrate to the car a routine of getting into the awkward space to the side of your house, and with the touch of a button, the car will do it again for you from that day forward whilst you sit comfortably watching the car to all the work. To aid with the multiple driver assists, the i7 is covered in sensors and cameras, which constantly monitor the car's surroundings. These assist with things like parking and merging onto motorways. The system also helps by automatically stopping the car on the occasion that you might have missed the neighbour's cat going for a casual walk behind one of your rear wheels. Consider the size of the car (5.4 m long by 2.2 m wide), and you soon feel gratitude towards the assists.
Whilst out on the road, in addition to the expected assisted cruise control, head-up display, lane departure assist, traffic sign recognition and emergency brake assist, there is also a very clever augmented reality setting for the navigation, which displays the road ahead via the built-in cameras with arrows and directions shown directly on the instrument cluster.
There are some character features with the new i7 in the form of lighting and sounds. According to the driver mode selected, ambient lighting will change to match the colour schemes on the centre screen and instrument cluster. A crystal-like ambient lighting bar stretches from door to door, changing styles with dramatic flashes and waves. In addition to the lighting, the i7 has Iconic Sounds, which play a collection of different sets of atmospheric sounds according to how the car is driven. It's a feature that might seem like a gimmick to some and can be switched off as a result, but I found the cinematic expressive mode very addictive.
The back seats of the 7 series have been the preferred seats to be seen, and as you would expect, the luxury continues there. Whilst the 5-seat configuration is possible, the rear layout has been designed primarily with 2 in mind. The two outer seats are reclinable, heated, and ventilated and, as an optional extra, will reward you with an array of possible massages. With the upgraded Bowers & Wilkins speaker system, the rear seats have vibrating units near the passengers' lower back to emphasise the bass when listening to music. A big money option for the rear passengers is a fold-down screen with a built-in Fire TV, allowing chauffeured passengers to enjoy some on-screen entertainment whilst sitting in supreme comfort. Rear passengers can alter comfort settings, lighting, audio levels and the opening and closing of privacy blinds with touchscreen panels built into both rear doors.
Beyond the comfort, luxury and sublime audio systems, one of the most notable achievements of the i7 is the silence. With all media and iconic sounds switched off, it's the sheer silence at speed that really impresses. Thanks to the many layers of soundproofing, carpets and double glazing, you would be forgiven for thinking you were wearing the best noise-cancelling headphones money could buy while driving at 60+ MPH.
Being a BEV, electric range is naturally a likely concern for anyone considering a car designed for long-distance commutes. Thankfully, BMW engineers have that covered with a remarkably impressive range of up to 382 miles in standard driving modes. There is the ability to extend this further thanks to additional efficiency modes. When 'efficiency' is selected, the range will increase substantially; however, an extra button titled 'activate maximum range' shuts down non-essential electronic items such as heated seats, reduces power to the climate control and reduces the top speed to 60 MPH to maximise range. Even in wet and cold conditions, with the maximum range setting applied, I could boost my range to 411 miles with a full charge.
The 7 series has always been celebrated as a car to be driven in and a fun car to drive. The G70 i7 is no exception. Admittedly, the BEV powertrain does come with one challenging compromise to driving dynamics in the form of weight. Thanks to the bank of batteries hidden beneath the floor, the i7 weighs a substantial 2,770 KG and despite some very clever powertrain engineering, which makes the car feel surprisingly light and spritely when accelerating, it's through the corners and on the brakes when you really notice the near-three-tonne payload.
Still, even with the weight, the i7's twin electric motors reward an ample 544 HP and 745 Nm of torque - translating to a 0-62 MPH acceleration of just 3.7 seconds and a limited top speed of 155 MPH.
Historically, the BMW i7 has always come with a premium price tag. The xDrive 60 i7, as tested with a couple of options ticked, retails at £117,575.00; however, with a play on the BMW configurator, and when selecting the top-of-the-range i7 M70, I was able to specify an i7 M70 to a very impressive price of £200,800.00
The G70, despite its questionable styling to some, is a very fitting 7th edition of BMW's flagship luxury car. Fast, luxurious and loaded with tech - the 7th 7 is very good indeed.
words: John Marcar
pictures: Henry Faulkner-Smith
Special thanks to: Partridge BMW, Hampshire
