BMW India introduced the i7, a flagship electric sedan that resembles the ICE 7 Series, featuring crystal LED headlights, a prominent illuminated grille, and sharp lines for a bold look. Unique blue accents distinguish the i7, while wheel options range from 20 to 21 inches. Inside, it boasts BMW's Live Cockpit Plus, iDrive 8, and a sleek digital display. A standout feature is the 31.3-inch 8K theatre screen for rear passengers. Powered by a 101.7 kWh battery, the i7 offers powertrain options delivering up to 649.98 bhp and a range of up to 603 kilometres.
Besides having an exceptional look, the attractive specs and features of the BMW i7 give a strong presence on the road. Let us take a look at the key highlights of its specifications and features:
Headlights and Grille: The i7 includes new split headlamps on both sides and an iconic kidney grille that is now larger and illuminated. Swarovski crystals in the daytime running lights add a luxurious touch, creating a signature glow that stands out.
EV Accents: Unique blue accents on the front, rear bumpers, and side skirts distinguish the i7 as an electric vehicle (EV). These subtle touches set the i7 apart from its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart, the 7 Series.
Refined Details: The i7's sleek lines and thin split taillamps, along with fresh door handle designs, create a seamless, modern look. Chrome accents and intricate details on the back quarter glass add sophistication, while black elements highlight the Hofmeister kink.
Aerodynamics and Wheel Options: Smooth lines and a sleek design improve the i7's aerodynamic performance, giving it a balanced, spacious appearance. The vehicle offers large 20-inch wheels and 21-inch M-light alloy wheels, enhancing its grand and luxurious stance.
Rear Design: Narrow, L-shaped taillights connected by an LED line give the rear a smooth, elegant look. The hidden tailpipes and clean surfaces reflect BMW's focus on a neat, organised design, showcasing luxury and innovation in electric vehicle aesthetics.
Luxury and Comfort: The BMW i7 in India has a luxurious interior with advanced technology. Premium materials like leather, wood, and metal accents create a sophisticated atmosphere. Customisable ambient lighting enhances the stylish ambience, extending to the large glass roof for a captivating effect.
Executive Lounge Seating: The back-seat experience offers executive lounge seating, providing a cosy, relaxed position behind the driver, with continuous leg support. The panoramic glass roof, known as the sky lounge, allows abundant natural light during the day, while dynamic lighting effects at night create an unmatched ambience. The rear left seat, often referred to as the "boss seat," offers extra legroom and features heating, cooling, and massage options for first-class comfort.
Advanced Driver's Cockpit: The BMW i7 driver's cockpit features a curved screen integrating the instrument cluster and infotainment, controlled by touch, voice, or gestures, with advanced driver assistance and connectivity for effortless luxury driving.
Battery Capacity: The BMW i7 uses a 101.7 kWh battery pack offering a range of up to 603 kilometres.
Charging: The BMW i7's battery can be recharged from 10% to 80% in just 34 minutes using a 195 kW charger. A 22 kW wall box charger would take over five and a half hours for the same charge.
Features: The BMW i7 shares its feature list with the new-generation BMW 7 Series. It provides rear passengers with a 31.3-inch 8K touchscreen, a 12.3-inch curved digital cockpit, and a 14.9-inch infotainment system. Additionally, it offers power seats with massage functions and ambient lighting.
Safety: The i7 comes equipped with seven airbags, ABS with EBD, dynamic stability control, cornering brake control, 3-point seatbelts for all passengers, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and ADAS features like lane change warning, blind spot assistance, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
Boot Capacity: The BMW i7 gives an ample boot space of 500 litres, making good room for luggage.
Ground Clearance: The BMW i7 has a ground clearance of 136 mm, which is enough space for driving in cities and on highways in India.
Body Dimensions: The BMW i7 is 5391 mm long, 1950 mm wide, and 1544 mm high, with a wheelbase of 3019 mm.
The BMW i7 stands as a premium model offering exceptional performance in the Indian automotive market. However, in terms of style and performance, it competes with popular models like the Mercedes-Benz EQS, Porsche Taycan, and Audi RS e-Tron GT. Let's compare the specifications and features of these models against the BMW i7.
Stylish Exterior: Sharing its exterior with the new 7 Series, the i7 features a large, taller front grille that enhances its commanding presence. Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz EQS showcases a streamlined, luxurious design with an emphasis on premium appeal and aerodynamic efficiency.
Airbags: The BMW i7 is equipped with seven airbags for comprehensive passenger protection. The Mercedes-Benz EQS enhances safety with nine airbags, including front, side, and curtain airbags, providing additional protection for passengers.
Battery Capacity: The Mercedes-Benz EQS offers a larger 107.8 kWh battery compared to the BMW i7's 101.7 kWh, potentially providing a longer range and better efficiency for longer journeys.
Range: The Mercedes-Benz EQS outshines the BMW i7 in terms of range, offering up to 857 kilometres, which is significantly higher than the i7's 603 kilometres, making it better for long-distance travel.
Infotainment Display: The Mercedes-Benz EQS stands out with its 56-inch Hyperscreen, offering a more expansive infotainment experience compared to the BMW i7's 14.9-inch display, enhancing in-car luxury and connectivity.
Rear Entertainment: The BMW i7 boasts a unique 31.3-inch 8K theatre screen for rear passengers, providing a more immersive entertainment experience compared to the optional rear tablet screens in the Mercedes-Benz EQS.
Interior Materials: Both the BMW i7 and Mercedes-Benz EQS use premium materials, but the i7 offers cashmere wool for a cosier feel. At the same time, the EQS focuses on sustainability with optional vegan leather.
Driver Assistance: The Mercedes-Benz EQS takes the lead in driver assistance with its DRIVE PILOT Level 3 system, offering more advanced semi-autonomous driving capabilities compared to the BMW i7's ADAS suite.
Battery Capacity: The BMW is equipped with a 101.7 kWh Lithium-ion battery offering a maximum power output of 448.77 - 649.98 bhp and 745 Nm to 1015 Nm of torque. The Porsche Taycan offers two battery packs: the 89 kWh in the Taycan 4S with 453.70 bhp and 695 Nm torque and the 105 kWh in the Taycan Turbo with 697.32 bhp and 890 Nm torque.
Range: The BMW i7 can travel up to 603 kilometres on a single charge. The Porsche Taycan's range varies by model, offering a range of up to 511 kilometres.
Dimensions: The BMW i7 measures approximately 5391 mm in length, 1950 mm in width, and 1544 mm in height. The Porsche Taycan is slightly compact, at around 4974 mm, with a width of 2144 mm and a height of 1395 mm, making it slightly lower and wider.
Ground Clearance: The BMW i7 features a ground clearance of 136 mm, which is quite suitable for India's roads. The Porsche Taycan has a standard ground clearance of about 127 mm, with adaptive air suspension available to adjust it for different driving conditions.
Boot Space: The BMW i7 offers a boot space of 500 litres. The Porsche Taycan provides more cargo space, with a total of 446 litres when including both front and rear trunks.
Battery Capacity: The BMW i7 features a larger 101.7 kWh battery compared to the Audi RS e-Tron GT's 93.4 kWh, potentially offering a longer range and more efficiency.
Boot Space: The BMW i7 provides more boot space with 500 litres, surpassing the Audi RS e-Tron GT's 405 litres, offering additional storage capacity.
Ground Clearance: The BMW i7 has higher ground clearance at around 136 mm compared to the Audi RS e-Tron GT's 122 mm, making it better for varying road conditions.
Front Fascia: The BMW i7 features a prominent kidney grille with blue accents and slim split headlights, while the Audi RS e-Tron GT has a wide single-frame grille and sharp LED headlights.
Rear Design: The BMW i7's rear design includes narrow L-shaped taillights linked by an LED strip and hidden tailpipes, whereas the Audi RS e-Tron GT features slim LED taillights and a prominent rear diffuser.
Tech Features: The BMW i7 offers a 14.9-inch infotainment screen and a 31.3-inch 8K rear theatre screen with advanced driver assistance, while the Audi RS e-Tron GT includes a 12.3-inch digital cockpit and 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen.
What is the battery capacity of the BMW i7, and how does it affect its range?
How long does it take to charge the BMW i7?
What are the key interior features of the BMW i7?
What performance options are available for the BMW i7?
How does the BMW i7's exterior design distinguish it from other models?