Next-gen BMW 7 Series debuts with electric i7 counterpart 

BMW has just unveiled the all-new 7-Series full-size luxury sedan and it can either go with a gool ol’ V8 for the 7-Series variants, or an electronic powertrain for the i7 variants. This is the marque’s flagship sedan model, and so its electrification is one big step for the German marque. 

The all-new 2023 BMW 7-Series

Let’s check it out detail, and find out what it offers.  

Exterior 

As expected, the new 7-Series gets a massive grille. It follows the current design language the German marque is following and it is reminiscent of the looks of the new M3, the X7, and many other currently available models. 

The new 7-Series, specifically the i7 version

Flanking the said grille is a pair of rather sharp-looking LED daytime running lamps. Meanwhile, the headlamps are now less visible, and are positioned just in the middle of the front bumper.  

The profile of the car is also quite straight and elegant, and of course the Hofmeister Kink is still there on the C-pillar. It is, however, a bit more angular compared to the one on the outgoing 7-Series. 

The rear is then dominated by plenty of angular lines. It also gets a sizable rear bumper, as well as a pair of keen-looking LED taillights. 

The 7 Series 760i XDrive from the rear

Its look is then wrapped up by a set of 20-inch or 21-inch M Sport wheels. And yes, this new model also gets a more aggressive M Sport styling for the V8 version. Also, the electric version likewise gets the same massive grilles, but is otherwise more subtle-looking. 

Interior 

Step inside the new 7-Series and you’ll be greeted with a modern and minimalist cockpit. Like more luxury models though, the dash is still adorned with wood trim. However, everything else is cutting-edge. 

The new 7 Series cockpit

For instance, the model in question now gets a massive 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster which we’ll talk about later. It is integrated into the car’s equally sizable touchscreen. Moreover, the controls for the rest of the car’s functions are touch capacitive, and are now arranged with what BMW calls the “Interaction Bar.” 

The aforementioned feature is exclusive to the 7-Series, and it hosts the controls for the car’s automatic climate control system. The rear gets even more plush as it comes with rear reclining seats equipped with leg rests and adjustable headrests. There’s also another surprise at the rear, which we’ll also talk about later. 

It's rear cabin looks downright plush

Other features on the inside of this version of the 7-Series also include leather seats, plenty of soft-touch surfaces, and a flat-bottom steering wheel. 

Tech and Safety 

As mentioned, the cockpit of this new BMW model is fitted with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. It is then integrated seamlessly with the vehicle’s 14.9-inch central touchscreen. Together, these two screens make up a curved display stretching from the center of the dash towards the front of the driver. 

Of note, these screens now use the brand’s latest version of the Live Cockpit Plus paired with the latest iteration of the iDrive 8 Software.  

A closer look at the new 7 Series's touchscreen headunit and digital gauge cluster

Like we’ve said above, the rear then gets a surprising new optional feature which will please movie buffs. What we’re talking about is a 31.3-inch 8K display mounted on the roof. It features plenty of online services, and it can secure itself by folding up to the ceiling.  

Controlling this huge screen can then be done via the car’s built-in tablets positioned on the car’s doors. But if one prefers, the screen in question can also accept touch inputs. 

Audio output is then provided with a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround System. It consists of 36 speakers, with some hidden seamlessly in the interior’s headliner.  

A view of the rear cabin with the huge display screen deployed

The new 7-Series is also no slouch when it comes to safety. For starters, it gets all the usual active driver assist features typical of a modern BMW, including a new “Level 2 Plus” autonomous driving system. Its capabilities include self-lane-centering and even lane-changing functions.  

 Furthermore, the all-new 7-Series also has Remote Smartphone parking function for its Parking Assistance feature. The electric-powered version, dubbed as the i7, also comes with a Reverse Assist function, which means that it can reverse out of a cramped parking spot by itself. 

Engine & Performance 

As said on the introduction, the 2023 BMW 7-series gets two different powertrains. For the top-of-the-line 7-Series 760i trim, it gets a 4.4-liter twin turbo V8 that’s capable of producing up to 536 horsepower and 750 Nm of torque. 

The other 7-Series 740i variant then gets a smaller but still beefy turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 mill paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. In total this particular powertrain can deliver 375 horsepower and 520 Nm of torque. 

The 740i's 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine

Both powertrains then send power to the car’s rear through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.  

For the electric-powered variant dubbed as the i7 XDrive60, it uses two electric motors, as well as a 101.7 kilowatt-hour battery pack. It provides an electric range of 483 kilometers according to the standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

BMW also says that it is fairly fast at charging. Specifically, it can get an equivalent of 129 kilometers of range in just ten minutes. Also, if you live in the United States, you’ll be pleased to know that i7 owners will have access to unlimited free charging within the first three years of owning the 7-Series's electric-powered variant. 

Available on all versions of the 7-Series is an adaptive air suspension system. It gets a self-leveling function, and it can lower the car by as much as 10mm, and raise it by as much as 20mm. The car automatically goes lower when driving above 120 km/h to improve aerodynamics. 

The 760i XDrive's 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8

If you’re interested in the 2023 BMW 7-Series, then do note that deliveries for its units will happen in Europe by November of this year. For the US market, the V6-powered 7-Series 740i starts at $94,295 (Php 4,938,700).  

The more powerful V8-powered 760i XDrive meanwhile, can be had for a stiffer price of $114,995 (Php 6,022,863). 

Finally, the electrified i7 then retails at $120,295 (Php 6,300,450).  

Note that these prices are for the US market and the figures in Philippine peso reflect the current exchange rates as of the writing of the article. Also, those numbers are before taxes and other fees. 

Looks like BMW really doubled down on their flagship sedan

How about a Philippine release? Well, we reckon that this new 7-Series model might arrive on our shores in 2024, or towards the end of 2023 at the earliest. We also aren’t sure if which version will be made available here, so we’ll just have to wait for word from BMW Philippines.  

For the latest car releases, keep it here on Philkotse.