Lucy hedges test drove the BMW i7 in Palm Springs (Picture: Supplied)
The BMW i7 is an absolute dream to drive but the backseat experience is out of this world.
It’s not often two people squabble over who gets to sit in the back for a road trip. But when that experience involves transforming the rear of the car into a luxurious private cinema lounge, complete with phenomenally comfy and quilted leather reclining seats, massaging functionality and other in-car wizardry, that’s the argument-inducing conundrum you’ll be faced with. And so it is with the all-new BMW i7 – a fully electric version of the German manufacturer’s flagship luxury limo.
Once they’re strapped into the back seats, you won’t hear a peep, either. They will be too busy prodding the 6in touch display inside the door. From here, they can control the blinds, choose ambient lighting, pick entertainment and select the optimum seat position/massage mode/temperature. The pièce de résistance, however, is the aforementioned cinema, or ‘theatre mode’.
Once triggered, a 31in screen with 8K visuals peels down from the glass roof, stretching almost the full width of the rear cabin, and prompts the rear window shades and glass sunroof to darken. It’s incredibly cool and makes all previous back-seat entertainment systems look as impressive as a Nintendo Game Boy.
Thanks to 5G connectivity, you can stream movies from Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s excellent Snapdragon cockpit platform and has Amazon’s Fire TV built-in for intuitive performance. For extra immersion, audio is taken care of by Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System.
With 36 speakers and optional ‘in-seat exciters’ to deliver bass-like rumbles through the rear seats, the result is crystal clear, with plenty of oomph.
The car has a 31inch 8K screen in the back (Picture: Supplied)
The car opens and closes at the touch of a button (Picture: Supplied)
You can stream movies thanks to the i7’s 5G connectivity (Picture: Supplied)
The front passenger seat moves forward electronically and elegantly for a bit more legroom, while a footrest extends to make your cinema on wheels experience more akin to a first-class cabin. Our only issue? BMW hasn’t thrown in a digital rear-view mirror. So if the screen has been deployed, the driver can’t see out of the back of the car – a missed trick on a car so packed with tech.
But the cherry atop this all-electric cake? You don’t even need to open the doors yourself when it’s time to get out (or in). Do it with a simple tap on a button on the door handle, touchscreen, or by uttering the words, ‘Hey BMW, open my door’. How’s that for luxury?
What’s it like to drive?
The i7 goes from 0-62mph in under five seconds (Picture: Supplied)
The screen descends from the car’s illuminated glass roof (Picture: Supplied)
The i7 is designed to be driven as much as it is to be driven in. Despite its size, it’s fast, nimble and gets you from 0-62mph in under five seconds. A 14.9in main curved display sweeps across the dashboard and controls satnav, radio, air conditioning and heating, with physical buttons being ditched for touch operation.
A 12.3in digital instrument display sits behind the wheel for readouts of vehicle info as well as media, telephone and more. The wealth of functionality is intimidating at first but the more you interact with the Operating System 8, the more intuitive things become.
Stats
Powertrain: 544bhp
Range: Up to 387 miles
Price: From £110,545
The futuristic head-up display that beams on to the windscreen shows speed and directions, while driver assistance systems – front-collision warning, lane-change warning and brake assist – are on hand to keep you safe. The i7’s satnav uses augmented reality to show a video of where you are with directions overlayed on top, to help indicate which direction you’re supposed to be heading.
Because this car was tested in Palm Springs, California, we could take advantage of US driving laws and go fully autonomous during our test drive. This allows cars with an advanced level 2 function to drive hands-off. With assistance switched on, the i7 is capable of driving itself, stopping at red lights and changing lanes. Eye-tracking sensors check if you’re paying attention – take your eyes off the road for over six seconds and it’ll give you a nudge while the brakes kick in.
It’s unnerving at first but after a few miles on an open road it’s a joy to use. The i7 is compatible with the latest fast-charging tech, giving you about 100 miles in ten minutes.
BMW calls it ‘the best car in the world’ and while its Marmite design and opulent interior may divide opinion, the fundamentals of modern luxury are brilliantly executed.
The i7 sets the standard for next-genin-car entertainment and is without doubt what first-class driving and rear-passenger experiences feel like.
Ask the car doctor
When should I change my tyres?
Check your tyre depth by using a 20p coin (Picture: Shutterstock / Standret)
Automotive editor Leo Wilkinson says:
The short answer is ‘when you need to’. When new, the depth of a tyre’s tread (the raised sections on its surface) is about eight or nine millimetres but this wears down over time. The legally required minimum tread depth is 1.6mm.
However, it’s not a good idea to let it wear this low. Most experts recommend changing your tyres at the 2.5mm mark because beyond that they rapidly start to lose their grip on the road.
An easy way of checking your tyre depth is by using a 20p coin. The outer band is about 2.5mm deep, so if you slot one into a groove on a tyre and you can’t see the band, you’re OK for now. If you can, it’s time for fresh rubber.
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Keyword: From 5G to a backseat cinema, is the BMW i7 the most hi-tech car in the world?