BMW’s electric limo: the silent 7-series

Developed alongside drastically di erent-looking new 7-series, 2023’s i7 saloon will take on the Merc EQS.

1 SMALLER KIDNEYS!

The next-generation 7-series and visually similar electric i7 are penned by BMW design chief Domagoj Dukec. Rather than a prominent kidney grille, as featured on the latest BMWs, these limos get a simpler design, with a short front overhang, drop-shaped rear end and advanced aero. The 7-series is due in 2022, with the i7 a year later. 2

POWER SHIFT

BMW is making great use of its flexible CLAR rearand all-wheel-drive architecture with the 7 twins. The 7-series is expected to be available as a plug-in hybrid – with the V12 dropped from the line-up – leaving full-electric eDrive to the i7. BMW has confirmed its Dingolfing site will build all variants of the new 7, including the i7.

3 ENABLING THE FUTURE

BMW has nicknamed its iNext electric SUV concept ‘the Enabler’ due to the technology it’s donating to BMW’s other future EVs.

In the i7’s case, the clean cockpit with a polygonal steering wheel and single curved widescreen display running iDrive v8.0 are lifted from the iNext.

4 THE BIGGER LUXURY PICTURE

Like Merc’s S and EQS, the 7-series and i7 are developed in tandem. The next generation of the 8-series (below) may evolve alongside the new 7 and i7 (instead of being 5-seriesbased), generating two long-wheelbase saloons and a striking Gran Coupe. That’s in addition to the X8 and its tarmac-peeling M variant forecast in our May 2020 issue.

Oliver Zipse Chairman of the board, BMW AG ‘Our timing is perfect, because demand [for EVs] is rising. We are rapidly expanding our line-up of pure EVs, and next year you can look forward to the i4 and the [production] iNext. There will be many more to come. Next year, 25 per cent of our fleet will be electrified. In 2025 it’s 33 per cent and in 2030, it will be 50 per cent.’