BMW has given the most recent 7 Sequence, the G70, a really daring and controversial face, and the automotive can be taller than any 7 Sequence that has gone earlier than it as a result of it wanted to suit a giant battery pack in its stomach. It didn’t go down the identical route as Mercedes to have a separate combustion and electrical mannequin, and this strategy maybe would have saved the 7 from wanting as tall because it does—its presence is extra Rolls-Royce than BMW, however that and the eye it will get could also be extra interesting to you than they’re to me.

However whereas it seems to be a bit odd from many angles and is nowhere close to as elegant as 7 Sequence greats of the previous (just like the low and smooth E38), it’s truly an exceptional automotive. I’ve pushed the final three generations of the 7 Sequence, and I discovered the G70 to be probably the most grown-up and opulent of all of them, however with out shedding the quintessential sporty really feel you anticipate from a BMW. This isn’t my first contact with the most recent 7 Sequence—I additionally drove an i7 xDrive60—however after spending a full week with a 2024 BMW 750e xDrive, it fully received me over. I nonetheless don’t like the best way it seems to be, except it’s a matte black M pack automotive, by which case I discover it acceptable, nevertheless it’s such a pleasant factor to drive or be pushed in that you simply quickly neglect that it has a polarizing exterior.

The plug-in hybrid powertrain within the 2024 BMW 750e was one other spotlight for me. It pairs the B58 straight-six with a punchy electrical motor that collectively delivers very robust efficiency. The automotive also can drive solely on electrical energy, and when it does, it must be one of the vital serene automobiles at present out there. Although you possibly can nonetheless order the 760i with a V8 engine, if I have been to order a G70 tomorrow, it could most likely be the 750e.

Unusual Exterior, Cozy Inside

We are going to by no means know what drove BMW to approve the present look of the G70 (it’s been mentioned that this design was chosen to win over Chinese language consumers), however I hope it turns into extra conventional when the time comes for it to get its mid-lifecycle facelift. It wouldn’t be the primary time BMW did this to a strange-looking 7 Sequence—the E65 was so poorly obtained with its droopy headlights and break up hind lights that it received a serious makeover for the LCI mannequin, and the end result was much more palatable.

The split-headlight design of the G70 7 Sequence mimics the X7 and XM, and it attracts a number of consideration. I’m undecided in the event that they’re all admiring glances, however individuals will look as you glide previous. The grille remains to be outsized, though it’s higher built-in than within the case of the G11 LCI, however a better look reveals that solely a few third is open to let air via, and even that half has lively shutters and stays closed if it’s chilly outdoors.

The Costly, However Cool Two-Tone Paint

My BMW 750e had the non-obligatory two-tone paint, with the underside half completed in black and the higher half in a really fancy shade of metallic silver. It even had a pinstripe just like what you may see on a Rolls-Royce, and it helped cover among the peak when viewing the automotive from the facet. The non-obligatory 21-inch M wheels have been black with some diamond-cut silver particulars, and they’re one of the best visible selection for the 7 Sequence, though they do have an effect on consolation a bit.

There’s nothing fallacious with the design of the rear, however it’s from the again you could most simply discover simply how tall the BMW 750e truly is. By way of total peak, the G70 7 Sequence is about 8 centimeters (3.1 inches) taller than the outgoing G11, and since there aren’t any creases or particulars anyplace across the physique, it seems to be as tall as it’s—BMW clearly didn’t attempt to cover the additional peak because it may simply have applied some design methods to make the automotive seem visually decrease—the phrase “slab-sided” involves thoughts when taking a look at a BMW 750e.

Excessive-High quality Supplies

There’s little to criticize in regards to the inside, although. It lacks a little bit of the wow issue that you could be expertise in a Mercedes-Benz with the 56-inch Hyperscreen, which is comprised of three totally different screens positioned underneath a large pane of glass, nevertheless it’s higher in each single approach, and it has its flamboyant touches.

My tester had the brown Tartufo Merino prolonged leather-based pack with perforated leather-based, which made the cabin really feel opulent. The seats and among the leather-based surfaces had wonderful quilting, and the perforations within the leather-based created patterns that additional enhanced the visible impression and opulence. The darkish blue suede headlining completely complimented the brown leather-based, and all of it got here collectively to create a really cohesive look.

Sitting within the driver’s seat, you discover the crystal-like bar that runs virtually the width of the sprint. It has embedded temper lighting, which modifications relying on the mode you’ve chosen, and all of it flashes purple if you press the hazard warning button. Crystal particulars in BMWs are nothing new, however within the G70 and G60, BMW added this full-width bar that ties the crystal theme collectively, and it’s all very good to take a look at.

Touching the bar, it’s fairly apparent it’s manufactured from plastic, not like among the different crystal controls (the transmission selector, the swivel wheel for the infotainment, or the seat controls are all actual crystal), nevertheless it seems to be pretty much as good as if it have been truly manufactured from the true stuff—having a giant slab of crystal within the dashboard would most likely not be a good suggestion for passenger security.

iDrive 8.5 And Much less Buttons

The 2 curved shows are nothing new, and we’ve seen them in different massive BMWs—there’s nothing particular in regards to the screens used within the 7 Sequence. My tester had iDrive 8.5, and it brings notable enhancements over the older model of the working system, particularly in the case of the local weather controls, which in model 8 have been poorly designed and clunky to undergo and use.

My tester had the bottom two-prong steering wheel, which was nonetheless fairly sporty with its flat-bottom design, thickness and enormous recesses to your thumps within the grip areas. It felt good to carry on to, nevertheless it wasn’t something notably particular; the truth that the paddles behind the wheels felt plasticky if you touched them didn’t assist.

There’s nothing to complain about in the case of the seats, although. My tester had the top-of-the-range seats, which function the best stage of adjustability. They’re completely improbable, and their high layer of froth was very mushy, which mixed with the high-quality leather-based made them very nice to the contact. While you sit in any of the seats, you first sink in a bit bit, like in some luxurious automobiles of outdated—a really good feeling.

Different notable inside options included the Govt Lounge seating and rear console within the rear, cooling, heating and a therapeutic massage perform for all 4 seats, and the 31-inch fold-down display that’s as pointless as it’s spectacular. The non-obligatory computerized doorways additionally deserve a shout-out, they usually appear to be much less temperamental than within the i7 that I drove final 12 months—when you get used to urgent the brake pedal to shut the driving force’s door mechanically, it’s going to make most different automobiles you’ve ever been in really feel abnormal.

Easy Energy and Silent Operating

The mix of the silky-smooth B58 six-cylinder turbo engine and a strong electrical motor embedded into the superb ZF eight-speed computerized transmission is great. It is a 50-badged BMW, and if you ground it, the acceleration you expertise is nearly similar to what you’ll anticipate from a bigger V8 engine. While you put your foot down, you first really feel the surge from the electrical motor earlier than the transmission kicks down and the engine’s turbo spools up, and the acceleration is spectacular and relentless.

The electrical motor makes 194 horsepower and 206 lb-ft (280 Nm), and even in electric-only mode, it nonetheless feels fairly brisk, greater than sufficient for leisurely driving round city. You possibly can drive the 750e solely on electrons as much as a pace of 86 mph (140 km/h), so you possibly can go on highways with out having to make use of up any gas should you so select.

Collectively, the combustion engine and the electrical motor make 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque, they usually give the 5,412-pound (2.45-ton) 750e a claimed 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds. If you happen to load it up along with your left foot on the brake and hearth it off the road, it feels even faster than the figures recommend, and it simply accelerates all the best way to its restricted high pace of 155 mph (250 km/h).

The very best a part of this powertrain for me was its mix of {smooth}, refined operating when the engine is on, and fully silent driving when it’s off. BMW offers an estimated electric-only EPA vary of 34 miles (55 kilometers), which is achievable, particularly on the town. It’s additionally impressively environment friendly, given how highly effective it’s. I averaged about 22 mpg throughout my drive after I fully drained the battery.

If you happen to cost the 750e recurrently, you must see double that effectivity determine and even higher, relying on how a lot cost it has and your driving model. It’s significantly higher on gas than the marginally extra highly effective 760i whereas providing virtually similar efficiency (and extra perceived torque because of the moment response of the electrical motor).

Plug-In Options

One cool function that BMW has applied from its totally electrical fashions is the adaptive brake vitality recuperation system. It adjusts mechanically relying on what’s in entrance of the automotive, so it coasts when there aren’t any automobiles or obstacles up forward, and as you strategy one thing, it begins providing you with progressively extra regen. This frees you from having to always alter the extent of regen, and through my drive, it appeared to work fairly nicely.

The one catch with the 2024 BMW 750e is that to make the most of its effectivity and silent operating, you have to cost it recurrently. Its battery isn’t the largest available on the market—18.7 kWh usable, which is lower than the rival Mercedes S580e and even the mechanically associated X5 50e—and it lacks DC fast-charging functionality, so it’s going to draw not more than 7.4 kW from an AC charger. It can take over 8 hours to cost from a home socket, or 3 to 4 hours you probably have a Stage 2 AC charger.

Most likely the Pinnacle of Plug-In Luxurious

There is no such thing as a denying how good a automotive the BMW 750e is, or how efficient its plug-in powertrain is. It attracts seems to be wherever you go it has a number of energy and options borrowed from much more luxurious automobiles and simply being aboard makes you’re feeling particular.

If you happen to suppose the Mercedes S580e is simply too understated and also you need one thing that packs extra visible punch, then the 2024 BMW 750e xDrive may be the luxurious plug-in barge you’re on the lookout for. It’s costly—my tester had a base value of €110,000 and jumped to just about €180,000 with choices, however should you can afford it, you received’t really feel such as you’re being short-changed, even should you maintain including the choices till it passes the $200,000 mark.