With the fully-electric i3 and PHEV i8 debuting in 2013 and 2014, respectively, BMW showed an earlier interest in electric powertrains than most of its competitors. And while both of those cars have since been discontinued, the Bavarian marque has not slowed its ambitions of reaching an all-electric future one bit. As proof of that, today BMW unveiled its new flagship luxury sedan in the form of the first-ever all-electric 7 Series, the i7.
The most significant new model out of BMW’s brand-new 2023 7 Series range, the i7 is a massive step forward in the brand’s electrification strategy, as it sits atop the marque’s flagship line. The first iteration of the EV, the i7 xDrive60, is powered by two electric motors and has a power output of 536HP, a range of up to 310 miles, and a 0-60mph time of 4.5 seconds. BMW has also announced that an M version of the i7 will eventually arrive in the form of a future flagship called the i7 M70 xDrive. Labeled the most powerful BMW ever registered for road use, it will put out well over 600HP and 737LB-FT of torque. Joining the all-electric i7 in the new 7 Series range is the gas-powered mild hybrid 760i xDrive and the M-powered M760e xDrive, with the latter being BMW’s first straight-six PHEV. Its hybrid powertrain makes 571HP and 590LB-FT of torque.
All vehicles in the new 7 Series, including the i7, share the same design language, highlighted by a massive redesigned kidney grille that’s now illuminated by an LED surround and accented by whisper-thin Crystal Glass headlights. And while the exterior may prove divisive due to that grille, the interior of the 7 Series is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Luxury and technology have been turned up to the max, with everything powered by BMW’s Operating System 8. Up front, there’s a massive Curved Display that combines a 12.3″ Digital Instrument Cluster and a 14.9″ Central Information Display. This sits above an attractive BMW Interaction Bar that runs the length of the dash and offers additional customization and control. In the rear, things get even better, with a 31” HD BMW Theater Screen, 5.5” touchscreen control panel displays in the doors, and a Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof.
The 2023 BMW 7 Series is set to make its global debut this November, with the all-new i7 leading the way and other models to follow over the coming months. If you’re too excited to wait, BMW is currently taking pre-orders for the i7 xDrive60, with pricing from $119,300.
