BMW: Floating like on a cloud 🎥
LUXURY IN EXCESS The new BMW 7 Series starts with the i7 purely electric, with diesel and plug-in hybrid versions to follow later. However, the electric car leaves nothing to be desired.
BMW's large sedan has undergone a major transformation over the years. The petite, stretched touring car became a beefy body. The latest generation now goes one step further. The 7 Series is no longer available in two lengths, but only as a long version. At 5.39 meters, it is even 13 centimeters longer than its predecessor.
The huge kidney radiator grille is joined by narrow LED light strips, which can be fitted with Swarovski crystals on request. BMW's main sales markets for the large sedan are in China (45 percent) and the USA (20 percent). Just nine percent of production remains in Europe, according to forecasts.
All drive variants, but no V12
The prestigious V12 engine has been dropped. An eight-cylinder version is built but not sold in Europe. Here, the range is limited to a diesel with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, two plug-in hybrids and the i7 with pure electric drive (745 Nm, 400 kW). The PHEV and diesel will be available from spring 2023.
BMW's combustion engines, hybrids and electric cars are all based on the same platform. The spaciousness is simply great. The 7 Series wants to be a chauffeur-driven sedan - and makes that clear right away. With the right equipment, the rear becomes a lounge with a reclining seat, darkened windows and even a movie screen. A 32-inch screen folds down electrically from the roof and turns the back seat into a movie theater.
The focus is on driving pleasure
The top priority is ride comfort. The i7 electric version in particular scores highly here. The weight of the battery of around 600 kilograms further improves suspension comfort. The air suspension responds very finely and flattens even the roughest bumps.
Thanks to electric roll stabilization and adaptive dampers, the sedan manages not to roll. In addition, rear-axle steering helps to make the handling more manageable.
Chief developer Markus Flasch: "I'm a big fan of the V12 engine. But no one will miss it here."
After the first test drive in the Stromer, we can only agree with him - especially since the range is up to 625 kilometers thanks to the 101.7-kWh battery. The base price of the BMW i7 xDrive 60 is 169,900 Swiss francs.
