In what BMW is calling its biggest ever mid-life model update (LCI in BMW-speak, meaning Life Cycle Impulse), a significantly revamped 7 Series makes its world debut at the 2026 Beijing motor show. The exterior has been sharpened up, the interior is effectively all new, a wide range of powertrains is offered and the all-electric i7 variant can cover up to 728 kilometres on a charge.
What's new on the BMW i7?
The battery for a start. It uses BMW's new 'sixth-generation' cylindrical cells allowing for an increase in the usable energy capacity, from 101.7kWh to 112.5kWh in the new car. This extends the range to as high as 728 kilometres and it can be charged at up to 250kW for a 10-80 per cent charge in 28 minutes.
These figures are for the BMW i7 50 xDrive variant, propelled by two electric motors putting out up to 455hp and 660Nm of torque. It does 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds.
The i7 60 xDrive uses the same layout and battery pack and can manage up to 727km on a charge, depending on specification. Its motors are more powerful, however, delivering 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds thanks to peak outputs of 544hp and 745Nm.
If that isn't enough performance for you, consider the fastest BMW i7, the new M70 xDrive. Its motors make up to 680hp and 1,015Nm of torque for a ludicrously fast 3.8-second 0-100km/h time. It's the only electric variant that can top 250km/h on the autobahn.
What if I want an engine?
Fret not: BMW has you covered, though availability on the Irish market might be the choke point, as it only listed the electric i7 and plug-in-hybrid models up to recently. Elsewhere in Europe, the 7 Series can be had with simple petrol and diesel power, in the forms of the six-cylinder 740 and 740d, plus there will be a V8-engined M Performance model in time.
Two PHEVs have been confirmed so far. The 750e xDrive uses a six-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor for up to 489hp and 700Nm of torque, with a quoted 82km electric range and AC charging at up to 11kW.
The M760e xDrive delivers up to 612hp and 800Nm using the same base straight-six engine (with more power) and almost the same electric range.
So is it for driving or being driven in?
We like this line from the press pack: "Driving pleasure meets the pleasure of being driven” and there's plenty inside the revamped interior to appeal to both the driver and their rear-seat passengers.
Indeed, even the front-seat passenger is well catered for, as all examples of the new BMW 7 Series now come with a dedicated touchscreen for them. And we're told that someone can jump in and use it immediately without having to sign up for anything.
It's part of a completely new dashboard, borrowing 'Neue Klasse' technology already seen on the new BMW iX3 and i3. The updated 7 Series gets those cars' Panoramic Vision display all the way across the base of the windscreen, for example.
Another key part of the so-called Panoramic iDrive layout is the 17.9-inch touchscreen in the middle of the car, angled towards the driver and shaped for easy reach.
Its unusual shape works well, though we're less convinced by the new generation of steering wheels, especially the one with a vertical spoke joining the top of the rim. Nevertheless, more customisation of the 7 Series than ever is offered, so buyers are likely to find an option that suits them best.
There's way more technology on board than we have time to go into, but a highlight worth pointing out is the upgraded BMW Theatre Screen for the rear seats. This optional upgrade, a 31.3-inch display that pivots down from the roof, was offered before, but the new one gets touch functionality, 8K resolution, better connectivity and even a camera for taking those all-important business calls.
Is that a good place to hide from the exterior design?
Very droll, though we know where you're coming from, as before its facelift, this BMW 7 Series was not the prettiest luxury car on the market. The updated model is better in that regard, thanks to squarer chiselling, sharper lights up front, all-new lights at the back and more.
But it still has a massive radiator grille and, while the finish of some of the two-tone paint is sublime, we don't like the colours of the display vehicle. Saying that, it's now possible to mix a metallic upper half with a 'Frozen' (i.e. matte-effect) lower, which looks amazing.
When does the new BMW 7 Series go on sale in Ireland?
Before the end of 2026, though first registrations are unlikely before the '271' plate in January 2027.