BMW’s flagship limousine received its first all-electric variant on this newest technology, and it simply received M-eaner.

The 2024 BMW i7 M70 xDrive is the largest, baddest electrical automobile the marque has ever produced, however the go-fast M Division nonetheless says it lives as much as the core values of its efficiency automobiles.

Regardless of weighing in round 2.7 tonnes, the electrical Bimmer can sprint to 100km/h from relaxation in 3.7 seconds, and hit a prime velocity of 250km/h. It additionally scores chassis changes and M-specific tuning to make it experience and deal with like one thing befitting of the enduring M badge.

BMW’s new electrical flagship is due in Australia throughout the fourth quarter of 2023. We flew out to Lisbon, Portugal, to have a steer on the worldwide media launch earlier than it hits native showrooms later this yr.

How a lot does the BMW i7 M70 xDrive value?

Australian pricing for the 2024 BMW i7 M70 xDrive begins from $344,900 earlier than on-road prices.

That makes it about $38,000 dearer than the i7 xDrive60, and about $170,000 costlier than the ‘entry-level’ petrol-powered 740i.

The i7 M70’s most direct competitor is the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+, which is a bit more attainable at $327,075 earlier than on-roads – and likewise a bit of faster to triple figures at a claimed 3.4 seconds.

Past that there’s little in the way in which of equally sized electrical competitors, although some manufacturers supply limousines with hybrid energy; together with the Lexus LS 500h F Sport ($194,595), or the plug-in Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid ($298,800) and Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid (from $479,900).

BMW 7 Collection + i7 pricing:

• BMW 740i: $272,900
• BMW i7 xDrive60: $306,900
• BMW i7 M70 xDrive: $344,900

Costs embody GST, LCT however exclude on-road prices

What’s the BMW i7 M70 xDrive like on the within?

Very like the 7 Collection and i7 xDrive60, however with some sportier M Efficiency accoutrements.

The cabin in BMW’s flagship limo is sort of the assertion piece, mixing the corporate’s newest tech and design language with a considerably typical structure.

The i7 M70 mainly will get the whole lot the brand new 7 Collection has to supply as normal, together with the candy Connoisseur Lounge rear seating and 31.3-inch rear leisure show which dramatically folds down from the roof.

Up entrance is the 12.3-inch digital instrument show and 14.9-inch Curved Management Show, operating the most recent BMW Working System 8.5.

As you’d count on, it has the whole lot: linked navigation, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ radio, over-the-air (OTA) software program updates, and a spread of net-based companies. There’s an enormous color head-up show with a number of views normal, as nicely.

The i7 vary additionally will get a thumping 1965-watt and 35-speaker Bowers and Wilkins Diamond Encompass setup with 4D know-how. It mainly turns this limousine right into a rolling nightclub at excessive quantity, or a conveyable cinema when utilizing the rear Theatre Show with the Govt Lounge seating.

I didn’t spend an excessive amount of time flicking by way of the show given most of my time spent within the driver’s seat was driving, however the revised residence display with customisable widgets and less complicated menus is an enchancment – pre-update BMW Working System 8.0 was a backwards step in comparison with the seventh-generation iDrive, however this replace undoubtedly is a transfer in the fitting course.

There’s a slew of various trimmings and colors obtainable, together with among the extra vibrant examples you see represented within the press package imagery.

I hung out within the blue and beige inside, which featured a mixture of BMW Particular person Merino leather-based in Wool Taupe Gray and Night time Blue, with BMW Particular person Ash Flowing Gray open-pore wooden trim inserts all through.

The Caramel tan and blue inside above belonged to the Aurora Diamond Inexperienced automobile proven all through the press photographs, whereas the two-tone Liquid Copper and Black Sapphire hero specification featured a extra sedate black and gray inside.

Regardless, the way in which that this cabin has come collectively is great. Construct high quality and floor tactility is outstanding, and definitely feels befitting of a luxurious flagship.

My solely actual gripes are the pared again switchgear for the steering wheel which, for instance, requires you to dive by way of the touchscreen to set the next distance for the adaptive cruise management.

The brand new M leather-based steering wheel is in any other case attractive, wth a thick, squidgy rim with cutouts in your thumb grips at 3 and 9 o’clock. All of the multifunction switchgear – what’s left of it – operates properly too.

Whereas the M70 xDrive is pitched because the driver-focused providing of the i7 vary, that doesn’t imply that the second row nonetheless isn’t the good a part of the cabin.

Normal Govt Lounge seating means the kerb-side rear seat could be reclined and prolonged to supply enterprise class-style lodging, operated by way of swish 5.5-inch touchscreens within the doorways. It’ll additionally push the entrance passenger seat ahead and lift a footrest should you’re so inclined.

Activate Theatre Mode and the rear sunshades deploy and the Theatre Show drops from the ceiling, supplying you with the very best view of the 31.3-inch extremely widescreen with 32:9 facet ratio and 8K decision. It actually is a sight to behold.

The show can stream motion pictures and exhibits from Amazon Hearth TV by way of the eSIM connection, or you may hook up a tool by way of an HDMI cable to broadcast your personal. There’s even a digicam to conduct digital conferences on the transfer. It gained’t deploy nevertheless, if the entrance seats are pushed again with a taller driver or passenger, because it’s cautious of being obstructed by the entrance seat backs.

Whereas the facilities and luxurious options within the 7 Collection’s second row are tremendous cool, I used to be anticipating a bit extra outright house, given how a lot the brand new 7 Collection has grown in dimension.

It has round 200mm extra wheelbase over the outdated 7 Collection L , so I might have anticipated a higher quantity of leg and knee room when in the usual seating place, although that’s to not say it was in brief provide. There’s a way of luxurious that comes with with the ability to stretch out – with out transferring the entrance passenger seat ahead into the lounge setting.

By way of baggage capability the i7 has 500L. There’s no spare wheel, only a tyre restore package for the usual run-flats.

What’s below the bonnet?

The i7 M70 xDrive is powered by a dual-motor electrical drive system fed by a 101.7kWh (internet) lithium-ion battery pack.

Up entrance is a 195kW/365Nm e-motor, whereas the rear drive motor makes 360kW/650Nm. In whole, the M70 xDrive has outputs of 485kW and 1100Nm. BMW says the rear motor is 25.5 per cent extra vitality dense than that of the i7 xDrive60.

It makes use of a six-phase design with a twin inverter, providing a density of two.41kW/kg. It additionally options six excitation windings within the motor’s stator as a substitute of three, which BMW says makes the only motor superior to utilizing two motors on the rear axle.

BMW quotes a 0-100 time of simply 3.7 seconds, and a prime velocity of 250km/h. That makes the i7 M70 xDrive the quickest electrical automobile the corporate has ever constructed.

Claimed vary on the WLTP cycle is 488-560 kilometres, primarily based on vitality consumption figures of 20.8-23.8kWh/100km. A part of the variance is all the way down to the very fact you may possibility grippier efficiency tyres on the i7 M70, which scale back driving vary.

Our driving route most likely wasn’t indicative of real-world Australian utilization, given the excessive ratio of spirited B-roads and high-speed highways, however our check automobiles had been displaying across the 25-27kWh/100km mark on their journey computer systems.

All i7 fashions additionally include a complementary third-generation BMW Wallbox for residence charging, in addition to a five-year Chargefox subscription.

How does the BMW i7 M70 xDrive drive?

I criticised the usual i7 xDrive60 for being a bit tender and missing character – the M70 is a unique beast.

This can be a modified automotive from behind the wheel, and extra consistent with how I’d count on a flagship BMW sedan to really feel on the street.

Our check route took us from Lisbon to the waterside metropolis city of Setúbal, by way of gorgeous cliffside roads showcasing Portugal’s seaside.

We drove the i7 over a mixture of freeways, highways, nation B-roads and tighter city areas, and regardless of its dimension and energy it was impressively nicely rounded.

A key enchancment is the steering and dealing with, which really feel extra tied down and permit the M70 to higher disguise its heft when going laborious in corners. It strikes a beautiful stability that feels much more BMW than the lighter, extra assisted really feel of the i7 xDrive60.

BMW says it has tuned the all-wheel drive system, steering, dampers and stability programs particularly for the M70.

The M-fettled i7 rides on adaptive two-axle air suspension with electronically managed dampers and automated self-levelling, with M-specific air springs tailor-made to extend the variety of vibrations on every axle to offer a “noticeably direct connection to the automobile physique”.

Rear-wheel steering and the Govt Drive Professional chassis package deal, latter of which incorporates energetic roll stabilisation, are additionally normal. All of it comes collectively to make this 2.7t and 5.4m-long government specific deal with like a a lot smaller automotive.

Physique roll is amazingly nicely suppressed by the energetic anti-roll system with out sacrificing consolation. The tighter steering makes for sharper turn-in really feel and enhanced steering response, and there’s a lot grip you actually need to be pushing the M70 nicely above what the typical individual ought to be to illicit any tyre squeal or understeer.

Acceleration is monstrous, notably from takeoff, with that 1100Nm (in its most aggressive setting) shoving you again in your seat and capturing the i7 in direction of the horizon at fast tempo.

It undoubtedly feels as fast as its 3.7s 0-100 declare, and to be sincere it’s so sturdy in a straight line that successive full-throttle inputs can induce the form of movement illness that you just’d expertise on a rollercoaster – it’s finest to be a bit of extra measured when carting passengers round.

The extent of efficiency on faucet makes squirts onto brief freeway onramps and fast overtakes gentle work, and it may be addictive pushing the i7 M70 laborious when behind the wheel (not whenever you’re a passenger).

You can also get a kick out of the Iconic Sounds by composer Hans Zimmer, which presents a spread of synthesised powertrain notes within the cabin. It’s not likely attempting to imitate a combustion engine, and a few could discover it gimmicky, however I most well-liked the tones to that of the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53.

Similar to the way it handles, the i7 M70’s acceleration makes it really feel like a lighter, extra athletic automobile than its dimensions would recommend.

Whereas the M70 unlocks a brand new degree of dealing with potential for the all-electric i7, it’s on the open street the place this automotive feels most at residence.

The lax velocity policing in Portugal and better 120km/h signed velocity limits gave us a chance to expertise among the i7 M70’s bahn-storming skills, and on fantastically clean freeways the i7 proved supremely snug and serenely insulated from the surface world.

Solely a faint trace of tyre roar may very well be heard at larger speeds, largely because of the reality our check automotive was sporting non-obligatory efficiency tyres. We think about the usual decrease rolling resistance rubber could be quieter, and fascinating should you’re spending extra time doing prolonged freeway stints.

The 255/40 Pirelli P Zero efficiency rubber wraps round normal 21-inch alloys, obtainable in 4 completely different designs in Australian specification.

A part of driving the i7 can be the suite of energetic assistants, which as we’ve come to count on from BMW all work very nicely.

Adaptive cruise management with Steering and Lane Management Assistant supply Stage 2 autonomous driving functionality on the freeway and is unquestionably some of the intuitive and user-friendly implementations available on the market.

The energetic velocity restrict help additionally helpfully adjusted the set cruise velocity with every altering velocity restrict signal, which in Europe appears to occur fairly often.

Encompass cameras and parking sensors with Automated Manoeuvre Assistant and Reversing Assistant Skilled imply it’s not too laborious to see out of this massive bluff government limousine, and it will possibly even carry out the reverse of a manoeuvre as much as 200m autonomously should you’re too scared to do it your self.

What do you get?

740i highlights:

• M Sport package deal
  • 20-inch M gentle alloy wheels
  • Run-flat tyres
  • M entrance, rear aprons
  • M Excessive-Gloss Shadow Line
  • M Sport Brakes with darkish blue calipers
  • M Facet Sills in Excessive-Gloss Black
  • M Leather-based Steering wheel, flat-bottom design
  • M Headliner Alcantara Anthracite
• Design Pure Excellence package deal ($NCO)
• BMW Particular person metallic paint
• BMW Iconic Glow illuminated grille encompass
• Adaptive 2-axle air suspension
  • Auto self-levelling
  • Guide elevating by 20mm (35km/h max)
• Integral Lively Steering
• Adaptive LED headlights
• BMW Crystal Headlights Iconic Glow
• Excessive-Beam Assistant
• Ambient inside lighting
• Electrical folding mirrors, auto-dimming (driver)
• BMW Stay Cockpit Skilled
  • 12.3-inch digital instrument show
  • 14.9-inch Curved Management Show
  • BMW Working System 8
  • Voice recognition
  • Map updates*
• BMW ConnectedDriveIntelligent Emergency Name
• BMW TeleServices
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Information, Climate apps*
• BMW Clever Private Assistant*
• Distant Software program Replace*
• Distant Providers*
• Actual Time Visitors Data*
• Inside digicam incl. anti-theft video recording
• Head-up show
• BMW Contact Command 5.5-inch shows in rear doorways
• Wi-fi smartphone charging
• 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Encompass Sound, 655W
• 6 x USB-C ports, 4 x 12V energy sockets
• Encompass View Cameras
• BMW Particular person Merino leather-based upholstery
• Multifunctional Seats, frontElectric adjustment incl. lumbar
• Electrical adjustment of headrests
• Reminiscence perform
• BMW CraftedClarity handmade glassBMW Controller
• Begin/cease button
• Quantity curler
• Gear selector
• Seat adjustment buttons
• Seat heating, entrance and rear
• Heated steering wheel
• Floor heatingFront centre console armrest
• Entrance, rear door armrests
• Instrument panel, decrease part
• Lively seat air flow, entrance
• Seat therapeutic massage perform, entrance
• 4-zone local weather management
• Distant Engine Begin
• Distant local weather pre-conditioning
• Consolation Entry
• Auto tailgate operation incl. contactless perform
• Panoramic Glass Roof Sky Lounge
• Instrument panel, higher doorways in Walknappa leather-based
• High-quality-wood inside trim
• Curler sunblinds, rear
• Mushy-close doorways

i7 xDrive60 provides:

• 21-inch M gentle alloy wheels
• Govt Drive Professional
  • Lively roll stabilisation
  • Lively Roll Consolation
• BMW Iconic Sounds by Hans Zimmer
• 5-year Chargefox membership
• BMW Wallbox (excl. set up)
• BMW Service Inclusive Primary (6yr/Limitless km)
• 31.3-inch Theatre Show
  • 32:9 ultra-wide format
  • 8K decision
• 35-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Encompass Sound, 1965W
• Computerized Doorways
• Multifunctional Rear Seats
  • Ahead/again adjustment
  • Seat base inclination
  • Backrest angle, higher adjustment
  • 4-way lumbar help
  • Head restraint top adjustment
  • Loudspeaker in head restraint
• Govt Lounge Rear Console
• Auxiliary heating, A/C and pre-conditioning

i7 M70 xDrive provides:

• M efficiency tuning
• Govt Lounge Seating
• Ventilated rear seats
• Massaging rear seats
• BMW Particular person Frozen metallic paint

Choices

M Efficiency Bundle: $NCO

• M Excessive Gloss Shadow Line
  • Grille encompass
  • Grille struts
  • Rear spoiler
  • Accent strip
  • Rear apron inlay
• M Sport brakes
  • Darkish Blue Metallic OR
  • Excessive-gloss Black

Is the BMW i7 M70 xDrive protected?

The BMW 7 Collection and i7 are but to be crash examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

Normal security options embody:

• 7 airbags incl. front-centre
• Lively Safety inc. Attentiveness Assistant
• Lively entrance headrests
• Driving Assistant Skilled
  • Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
  • Lane change warning
  • Lane departure warning
  • Entrance, rear cross-traffic alert
  • Rear collision prevention (AEB)
  • Exit Warning
  • Steering and Lane Management Assistant
  • Auto velocity restrict help
  • Evasion Assistant
  • Entrance Brake Intervention (AEB)
  • Ahead collision warning
• Parking Assistant Skilled
  • Parking Assistant
  • Lively Park Distant Management
  • Lateral Parking Support
  • Encompass View cameras
  • Panorama View
  • 3D View
  • Reversing Assistant Skilled (as much as 200m)
  • Object and line marking detection
  • Automated Manoeuvre Assistant
• BMW Drive Recorder
• Pace restrict recognition
• Pace limiter
• Tyre stress monitor

How a lot does the BMW i7 M70 xDrive value to run?

BMW presents a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Additional, BMW Australia presents i7 prospects six years of free scheduled servicing, which has a limiteless distance cap.

House owners of the i7 additionally obtain a five-year subscription to the Chargefox Quick and Extremely-Fast DC public charger community, in addition to a complementary third-gen BMW Wallbox, excluding set up.

There’s not rather more you can ask for, as you’ve got subsequent to no operating or upkeep prices for a minimum of the primary 5 years of possession.

CarExpert’s Tackle the BMW i7 M70 xDrive

The M70 undoubtedly feels extra like a ‘correct’ BMW than the usual i7 xDrive60.

Whereas the softer, extra sedate character of the usual i7 is nicely aligned with the 7er’s limousine kind, the M70 dials in that additional sprint of driver engagement that BMW is famend for.

The extra communicative controls and tighter physique management strike an incredible stability between enjoyment and luxury, and in some methods it truly feels higher sorted than the i7 xDrive did on Australian roads – although a correct native drive would be the extra correct comparative check.

BMW’s flagship EV additionally presents wild straight-line efficiency that not way back was the unique realm of unique supercars, although sadly Australia’s strict velocity restrictions means you’ll by no means correctly expertise this automobile’s full potential on public roads.

Regardless of its efficiency capabilities, it nonetheless retains a stable electrical vary declare, which ought to be achievable in regular driving – i.e. much less full throttle, irrespective of how addictive.

Its distinctive seems and opulent cabin appointments appear and feel particular, even when the outside is a speaking level, and the rear Govt Lounge and Theatre Show are superior get together methods that imply you may take pleasure in driving or being pushed.

Pragmatic patrons could not see the attraction right here – at this finish of the market choices are made primarily based on picture, tech and luxurious options, no matter whether or not you plan to make use of them to their full potential or whether or not there are inherent compromises.

Fortunately, the i7 M70 is extremely nicely rounded and serves as a worth different to one thing like a Rolls-Royce Ghost or Bentley Flying Spur, neither of which but supply all-electric drivetrains.

This crown jewel of BMW’s halo product line serves as a worthy new flagship that blends crushing efficiency with opulent luxuries and luxury.

Click on the photographs for the total gallery

MORE: All the things BMW 7 Collection
MORE: All the things BMW i7