2023 BMW i7 Takes New 7 Series All Electric, Bringing Along Thoughtful Tech and 300-Mile Range

BMW has officially unveiled the seventh generation of the 7 Series and with it comes an all-electric iteration in the form of the i7. That’s right, the German automaker’s flagship luxury sedan will look to further the brand’s commitment to sustainability while ensuring a luxurious driving experience. The first purely electric 7 Series will launch alongside the 2023 BMW 740i and 760i xDrive, which come with mild hybrid technology and 375- and 536-hp respectively. 

The new BMW 7 Series sports a muscular, confident presence with minimal contour lines, while maintaining visual elegance. It has a sculpted hood with a dynamic streak running through the center. A single-piece lower air intake and narrow side intakes at the front’s outside corners additionally accentuate the width.

BMW’s latest design language for its flagship vehicles has been introduced here, giving the new 7 Series a vertically prominent front that combines the optional illuminated BMW kidney grille with two-piece split headlight units that separate low-beam and high-beam headlights. It comes with Adaptive LED Headlights and a high beam assistant. Swarovski crystals can be incorporated into the lights to reflect available light whether the lights are switched on or off. 

An elegant chrome feature borders the side window surround towards the C-pillar, and it stays in place as part of the body when the rear door is opened. The long doors make it easy for rear passengers to enter and exit, while the thick C-pillars and a pattern graphic on the back area of the side windows improve rider privacy.

The 7 Series has always been the leader of BMW’s portfolio and technology as it continues to represent the wide breath of the brand’s tech capabilities. With the latest 7 Series, consider these boundaries to not only be pushed but to be completely shattered. 

For the new 7 Series, BMW’s interior design ethos centers around comfort, space, and privacy. The Curved Display up front helps to stretch the front half of the cabin while a strong mix of premium materials helps to deliver a sense of serenity and refinement. 

BMW i7 customers are greeted with a newly designed steering wheel with two spokes and a flat-bottomed rim. In addition to the control panel with rocker switches, scroll wheels, and buttons with haptic feedback, it has a center console control panel that houses the iDrive Controller, Start/Stop button, and volume adjustment. The vehicle also features a new gear shifter and a 12.3-inch information display. 

Tech-driven enhancements are present in every moment. The doors can be opened and closed with a simple touch of the handles, using the key fob, or through the BMW Interaction Bar located at the front of the cabin or the rear door trim. The 5.5-inch touchscreen digital control unit allows passengers to manage the entertainment program, audio settings, climate control functions, ambient lighting, and rear sunshades. A Safe Exit function even analyzes data from 12 ultrasound sensors on both sides of the vehicle to warn of approaching pedestrians and hazards. 

In addition to directing the doors, the BMW Interaction Bar brings forth a whole new generation of control and interaction. It is presented in a crystalline surface structure with touch-sensitive control panels and dramatic backlighting, which has a customizable color palette using up to seven My Mode settings. It regulates ambient lighting that reacts to events with dynamic light animations. The BMW Interaction Bar can also adjust the ventilation and climate control, activate hazard warning lights, and open the glove compartment. It can be linked to the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, which is voice-activated and has been upgraded to react to instructions from passengers in the rear seats. 

What is comfort without entertainment? The new BMW 7 Series provides the ultimate cinematic experience with a 31.3-inch BMW Theater Screen with built-in Amazon Fire TV and a BMW Curved Display. The theatre screen spreads out horizontally across the full width of the interior and extends down to the front seat backrests. It is infused with Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound system and built-in touch screen remotes powered by BMW Touch Command. Users can experience content from Amazon and Netflix in up to 4K/UHD resolution. BMW i7 customers will enjoy the BMW Iconic Sounds Electric, a collaboration between the BMW Group and Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer. On the other hand, the curved display up front provides the driver and front passenger access to watch YouTube on-demand. Personalized Profiles help to further the experience, allowing you to start watching something at home and finishing it in the car.

The BMW i7 has also built an Executive Lounge option for the rear seat passengers, including a 42.5° reclining function with integrated leg rest and heated armrests with a glass insert and a smartphone tray for inductive charging.

Instead of conventional air vents, slot-type outlets are arranged along the full width of the BMW Interaction Bar with a standard nanoparticle filter to remove virus-sized particles and allergens from the air inside the cabin. 

The innovative technology further dives into autonomous driving and parking assistance systems. It is built with an optional Highway Assistant that provides extended hands-free driving up to 80 mph. BMW reinforces its role as the leading developer in the automated parking and maneuvering field with BMW’s Reversing Assistant and the optional Parking Assistance Package. Users can also maneuver the vehicle into and out of parking spaces using the My BMW App on their smartphone. 

BMW i7 xDrive60 can sprint from 0 to 60mph in 4.5 seconds, powered by two electric motors with a combined output of 536-HP and 549 lb-ft of instantaneous torque. It has an estimated range of 300 zero-emission miles based on EPA standards. Owners of the new i7 xDrive60 will be getting unlimited charge sessions at Electrify America charging stations for the first three years of ownership.

Launching alongside the 2023 BMW i7 are the 2023 BMW 740i and 760i xDrive, with a B58 3-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine and a 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8 with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive, respectively. Base MSRP for the 2023 740i is $93,300 + $995 destination, while the 760i xDrive is available for $113,600 + $995 destination. 

Priced at $119,300 + $995 destination charge, drivers can now pre-order the first-ever BMW i7 with a $1,500 deposit through bmwusa.com.