BMW has revealed the all-new i7 xDrive60, the first all-electric entrant in the 7-Series lineup. It boasts an EPA-estimated range of 483 km and brings all the polarizing looks and sci-fi tech of the conventional 7-Series to those looking for an electric drivetrain. Unlike Mercedes’ approach with the EQS and the standard S-Class series, the i7 is integrated into the 7-Series line-up — the i7 and 7-Series are visually similar and share the same body, dimensions, and cabin. The significant differences however are under the skin.
The drivetrain itself consists of two
electric motors, making the 2023 i7 xDrive60 all-wheel drive. The motor
powering the front axle makes 255 hp while the rear has a
peak output of 308 hp. Combined, it’s enough for 536 hp, and 744 Nm of torque. The motors themselves ditch
permanent magnets and are instead “electrically excited synchronous motors”.
BMW claims that the new motors make no use of rare earth materials. The i7’s
motor feature improved acoustics too, with model-specific mounting and noise
encapsulation, making power delivery “virtually silent.”
The i7 xDrive60 can reach 0-96
km/h from a standstill in 4.5 seconds, 0.5 seconds quicker than the 3.0-liter
inline-six powered 740i, which outputs 375 bhp. However, the
i7 is a smidge slower to 96 km/h than the V8-powered 760i xDrive.
Interestingly both the i7 and 760i share the same quoted output, at 536 hp, although the ICE-powered car wins on the torque front, with 749 Nm of peak torque – not without thanks to its 48-volt mild-hybrid
system. The new i7 develops more power than the bi-motor Mercedes EQS 580,
which puts down 516 hp. However, the Mercedes offers a chunk
more torque, with 854 Nm over the i7’s 744 Nm. The
electric Merc is quicker to 96 km/h too, but not by much, setting the
sprint at 4.3 seconds. However, whereas the EQS is limited to a top speed of 208 km/h, the i7 can stretch its legs up to 240 km/h.
The i7 boasts a battery capacity of 101.7
kWh of usable energy. BMW says that the luxury sedan’s range is an
EPA-estimated 483 km, which puts it behind rivals such as the
Mercedes EQS 580 (547 km) and the Tesla Model S Plaid (557 km). The i7 can fast charge up to a rate of 195 kW, with BMW claiming it
can add as much as 128 km of range in just 10 minutes. These fast
charging rates are still slower than those offered by the Porsche Taycan, which
can deliver energy at a max charge rate of 350 kW. But BMW is making an effort
to entice customers with other tech benefits. For instance, the adaptive recuperation
that features on the BMW iX and i4 has been upgraded to monitor traffic lights
and detect downhill sections. Regeneration is automatically increased when
approaching an intersection, or power is disconnected from the motors downhill
in order to freewheel.
BMW has also optimized charge software,
using lessons learned from the i4 and iX. For starters, temperatures for DC
fast charging are more precisely controlled, lengthening the overall battery
life. While the i7 DC charges, the software alternates phases of full and
partial cooling in an effort to reduce stress on the battery cells and shorten
recharge times And, once the battery reaches a higher charge level, the
charging rate is reduced gradually, instead of the steep drop that would have
previously been the case. This gives a more rounded charge curve, again
shortening recharge times. BMW is also throwing in three years of free charging
from Electrify America, while the i7’s navigation will calculate
charging-optimized routes. Information such as estimated charge level upon
arrival, the recommended charging time, and the target charge level for the
onward journey is displayed.
The 2023 i7 may not be the revolutionary
offering in the EV space that some would have looked forward to, but its
integrated placement in the 7-Series lineup aligns with the brand’s hesitancy
to put all its eggs in one basket. It also gives those looking for a luxury
sedan an alternative to the EQS, but we may have to wait until Audi’s A8 e-tron
arrives before we start awarding any winners. Pre-orders for the i7 will open
on April 20, with first deliveries expected in Q4 of this year. The base i7
xDrive60 starts from US$ 119,300 + US$ 995 destination charge, making it the most
expensive in the 2023 7-Series range.
