BMW has revealed more details about its upcoming new 7 Series and its electric counterpart, the i7, due to be revealed on April 20 to take on the likes of the Mercedes EQS and Tesla Model S.
As well as releasing a heavily silhouetted head-on image of the 7 Series showing an illuminated double-kidney grille surround (much like the BMW XM) and slim daytime-running lights, further details too were revealed about both cars' interiors in addition to what we already know from previous releases.
Electric or hybrid?
Using the same battery and motor set-up as the BMW iX, the i7 will, BMW says, be able to manage 580-610km between charges, just shy of the figures for the Mercedes EQS, but slightly more than those for the Tesla Model S Long Range. Those numbers are, however, provisional and based on the i7's current stage of development so they may end up being somewhat lower or higher.
With that iX powertrain, expect twin motors, all-wheel drive and a 105kWh battery and, like the iX, peak power should be somewhere around the 610hp mark. Energy consumption in the i7 is between 18.9 and 19.7 kWh/100km according to official WLTP figures released by BMW.
Although full details for the internal-combustion 7 Series haven't been announced yet, there will most likely be a 3.0-litre six-cylinder option on the cards using 48V mild-hybrid assistance to improve efficiency. So too will there be diesel options, a V8 and probably a plug-in hybrid as well. Although the V8 should, in theory, produce around 600hp, BMW says that the i7 will, nonetheless, be the most powerful model in the range.
Interior and tech
If the iX is anything to go by, the 7 Series' interior should be a very pleasant place to be. Present in both 7 Series and i7 is the same curved display screen as the iX incorporating the instrument panel and multimedia screens running the latest version of BMW's iDrive system. Above is a panoramic glass roof giving an extra sense of light and space.
The new model will, according to the 7 Series' development lead, Frank Weber, support Level 2+ autonomous driving and is also capable of Level 3 autonomy. Level 3 allows drivers in certain limited situations to take their eyes and hands off the wheel such as when in stop-start traffic. Although still rare, both Mercedes and Honda have developed and sold Level 3-capable models in recent times.
The rear has clearly been designed with the chauffeured passenger in mind with the massive 31-inch, 8K-compatible BMW Theatre Screen which pivots out of the roof lining letting back-seat passengers watch TV or streaming services.
When are the new BMW 7 Series and i7 being fully revealed?
Both models will be fully revealed on April 20, so expect a lot more in the way of images and details then.