BMW i7 xDrive60 (A) First Drive Review

This is the brand new BMW i7, an all electric 7 Series that looks to set the bar for electric luxury motoring.

Right now, it may seem like a high and niche bar to clear, but we should also consider the reality that in the not too distant future, most cars will be electric. This is a look at the future as much as it is a car for the present day.

Palm Springs (with its litany of golf courses and wealthy folk) seems like an appropriate place to test drive this car.

Decked out

The i7 looks pretty much identical to the new seventh generation 7 Series, and it should - they are fundamentally the same car.

Is it the prettiest 7 Series ever? No, I don't think so. But, an important thing to know is that the design of the car is heavily influenced by aerodynamics. According to BMW, aerodynamic drag accounts for 60% of energy consumption on long highway drives (typically the role of a luxury limo), so optimising aerodynamics is important in maximising efficiency.

Consequently, what you get is many monolithic and flat surfaces, interspersed with functional air ducting. While perhaps not quite pretty, the i7 looks undeniably imposing, especially from the front. In contrast, the design of the rear is on the simple side.

Inside, it is immediately impressive. There's a whole bunch of stuff going on, like the Curved Display, Interaction Bar, even the massive Theatre Screen at the back and touchscreens on either of the rear door armrests.

This can be slightly overwhelming at first blush. There are a lot of screens and surfaces, and thus a lot of features to navigate. However, once you spend more time in the car the complexity fades slightly into the background. What you are left with is an intimately luxurious space - high on class, quality and comfort.

Silent pace

The i7 xDrive60 produces 536bhp and 745Nm of torque, enabling the car to hit 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds. It's quick, of course, but more pertinently the instant electric torque means that there's always a turn of pace available anytime you need it. And, because it is an EV, you can do a lot of driving solely via the throttle pedal. I like that, though I know it's not everyone's cup of tea.

And because this is an EV, it is also very quiet. Switch off the Iconic Sounds (I always do), and you can trundle along in almost complete silence. For a luxury sedan like this i7, I think that only adds to the overall sense of comfort, serenity, and luxury. And it is very comfortable - the adaptive air suspension just eats up bumps in the road (and trust me, there are plenty of bumps on these Palm Spring roads).

Compared to the 760i that I drove, the i7 also holds its own around corners better. Its extra weight works to its advantage - the batteries help to lower the centre of gravity, and thus the side-to-side weight shifts feel more controlled and 'centred'. It's perhaps not the most engaging, but it is certainly effective in going quickly through windy mountain roads.

The i7 (and 7 Series) also get new driver assistance features, including the ability to 'remember' certain routes. Once you store a particular route (such as manoeuvring into your regular parking spot), the Manoeuvre Assistant can then repeat that, controlling everything from throttle, brake and steering. This is as auto as auto-park can be.

One specific update I particularly like is that the Augmented Reality view (an already handy feature) can now be displayed in the digital cluster, keeping it within sight line and ensuring you can always have your eyes on the road ahead.

As far as range goes, BMW quotes between 590km and 625km from the 101.7kWh battery. While an extended test drive in Singapore will be necessary to fully evaluate those figures, our prior experience with other BMW I models like the i4 and iX tell us that those figures aren't too far off from what can be achieved in real-world driving.

Only going up

When it comes to luxury, I think electrification is clearly the way forward. It affords greater refinement and serenity, and in some cases also the opportunity for more space and functionality.

This new i7 is evidence of at least the former. It takes the familiar 7 Series formula, and (for my taste) makes it better. You get all the luxury, technology, and quality of a 7 Series, augmented with the benefits of electric driving.

What's not to like?


Looking for an all electric luxury sedan? Here are some other choices in this segment to consider:

The Audi e-tron GT comes with sleek looks, and intuitive cabin, and just the right amount of performance

The Mercedes EQS stands out for its refinement, comfort and luxurious nature