Two faculties of thought are rising as electrification continues to proliferate all through automaker’s lineups. One is to create totally new platforms upon which EVs are primarily based, with fully totally different styling and inside remedies.
The opposite is to develop platforms with shared exterior styling and inside accoutrements, designed to just accept both ICE or electrified powertrains. After taking the previous path in 2012 with the i3 and i8, BMW has pivoted to the latter method with its present crop of EV sedans, together with the 2024 BMW i7 xDrive60.
Overview
The dynamic qualities of EVs lend themselves effectively to luxurious automobile purposes. The quiet and smoothness exude sophistication whatever the automobile into which they’re put in.
Mix this with palatial environment internet hosting a wealth of cutting-edge consolation and comfort tech and also you’ll have a superb luxurious sedan. That is precisely what BMW has performed with the 2024 BMW i7 xDrive60.
Exterior
One should look very rigorously to identify an i7 from the entrance. The blue ring across the BMW roundel is a clue, as is the dearth of openings behind the bars of the grilles. On the rear, the lacking exhaust retailers reveal you’re taking a look at an i7, together with the i7 badging on the trunk lid. In any other case, the sedan’s proportions and configurations are the identical. In different phrases, the 740i and the i7 are just about equivalent to the informal observer.
Inside
The identical is true contained in the automobile, the place the floating digital show dominates the sprint, whereas an elective fold-down 31.5-inch show provides a cinematic expertise to rear-seat occupants.
Touchscreen shows within the rear door panels present entry to consolation, comfort and infotainment options. Go along with the Government Lounge package deal and rear-seat passengers will even be handled to power-adjustable reclining seats, a wi-fi smartphone charging pad, and extra-plush headrests.
Powertrain
The automobile with which I spent per week was geared up with the xDrive60 all-wheel drive powertrain. A pair of electrical motors — one assigned to the entrance wheels and the opposite assigned to the rear — powered the BMW. Mixed output is a quoted 536 horsepower.
Vary is an estimated 318 miles; nonetheless, I noticed 325 on a full cost. A 101.7-kWh battery pack shops vitality and is acknowledged to be able to accepting 80 miles of vary in 10 minutes, when related to a DC quick charging station.
By the way in which, Electrify America and BMW have teamed as much as supply free 30-minute charging periods for the primary three years of possession of the i7.
Security and Know-how
Getting again to that 31.5-inch rear-seat leisure display, content material from Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube may be streamed to it over the automobile’s 5G connection. Net shopping will also be performed, utilizing the iPhone-sized touchscreen shows within the rear door panels.
Up entrance, model 8.5 of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system is accessed by means of the vast display digital show on the sprint. One may order up quite a lot of consolation and comfort features just by saying “Hey BMW,” and telling the system what you need it to do — together with opening and shutting all 4 doorways.
The same old suite of latest driver help aids is current, plus hands-free driving on the freeway and a system that permits the motive force to exit the automobile and let the automobile park by itself.
Driving Impressions
Sheer and utter competence in each driving state of affairs greatest characterizes the i7’s nature on the highway. Unrivalled consolation, distinctive quiet and pleasant smoothness dominate the expertise. The i7 additionally displays excellent stability at pace and agility belying its dimension.
Runs to 60 from relaxation have been persistently completed in simply over 4 seconds and every flex of my proper foot delivered a satisfying surge of robust acceleration on the freeway.
Now, with all of that stated, I’ve pushed ICE-powered examples of the 7 Sequence prior to now that felt extra athletic in nature. Anybody moving into an i7 searching for an Alpina B7 expertise is more likely to be left wanting.
Nevertheless, when you want the quintessential large BMW expertise in a quieter, smoother and extra refined package deal, the i7 may effectively be what you’re after.
2024 BMW i7 xDrive60 Specs
| Dimension | Dimensions: L: 212.2 inches/W: 76.8 inches/H: 60.8 inches/Wheelbase: 126.6 inches |
| Weight | 6,067 kilos |
| Powertrain | Twin present excited synchronous AC motors; direct all-wheel drive |
| Gas Economic system | 85 mpg-e metropolis/89 mpg-e freeway/87 mpg-e mixed |
| Efficiency Specs | 536 horsepower and 549 pound-feet of torque |
| Value | Base worth: $119,300; As examined: $156,595 |
| On-Sale Date | Accessible now |
Wrap Up
If that is the long run, you possibly can signal me up proper now. With however a number of exceptions, each time I get out of an EV and into an ICEV, I’m struck by the relative crudeness of the latter.
The noise, vibration and harshness we’ve come to just accept over time — no matter how effectively any given producer has mastered it — is exacerbated after driving an EV. That is very true of 1 as good because the 2024 BMW i7 xDrive60.
2024 BMW i7 xDrive60 — Continuously Requested Questions
What’s the vary of the BMW i7 in miles?
Based on the EPA, that battery pack will get wherever from 296 miles to 318 miles of vary, relying upon the scale of the wheels fitted to the automobile. Smaller wheels return extra vary.
Does the BMW i7 qualify for a tax credit score?
As of this writing, (September 2023) the 2024 BMW i7 is eligible the federal tax credit score of as much as $7,500.
What’s the prime pace of the BMW i7?
High pace is electronically restricted to 155 mph.
