BMW releases new teaser images a month before it reveals new 7 Series flagship
- Electric i7 will be sold alongside the next-generation 7 Series
- Electric battery and motor from iX SUV with a 400+ mile range
- Large front grilles wiith illumination
The new BMW 7 Series is being officially unveiled on Wednesday 20 April, and BMW has revealed a new set of teaser photos to give a sneak preview of its new flagship model. Shown at the brand’s annual conference, the pictures give a hint of how the exterior and interior will look, plus confirm that we can expect the now trademark large kidney grilles will be illuminated.
The images also suggest the grilles will be stretched even wider than they are on the BMW iX and BMW 4 Series, which may actually result in a less challenging look than those cars. There will also be slim LED headlights with crystal technology available. Underneath the grille will sit a full-width air intake.
Buyers of the new BMW 7 Series and BMW i7 will be able to specify a 31-inch Theatre Screen system for rear-seat occupants, which appears to hang from the roof like a television. We expect the interior will look similar to the iX, with quite a minimalist design, plus there could be the option to add distinctive artwork to the dashboard like in a Rolls-Royce – a company owned by BMW.
The i7 is effectively the electric model of the new 7 Series, with both cars sharing the same platform. The introduction of a pure-electric version of BMW’s flagship saloon means the brand has a direct rival for the Mercedes EQS, Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S, as well as the Audi A8 and Mercedes S-Class.
As BMW’s flagship saloons, both the forthcoming 7 Series and i7 will be full of the manufacturer’s latest technology. One of the main focus areas will be autonomous driving, and we’d expect the i7 to feature enough gadgetry to be able to drive itself for long periods of time, where legal. This development mule looks to be adorned with an array of sensors and cameras.
Both cars will sit on BMW’s CLAR platform, which can accommodate both an electric powertrain and conventional engines. There will be a wide range of power options for the new 7 Series, including petrol or diesel with 48-volt mild-hybrid hardware, and a plug-in hybrid. The i7 will use BMW's fifth-generation eDrive technology. This integrates the electric motor, electronics and transmission into a single unit, reducing total weight and size.
Full performance details have yet to be released but to be competitive, the i7 will need a range of at least 400 miles. The Tesla Model S currently offers a range of up to 390 miles, while the Mercedes EQS manages nearly 500. The BMW iX SUV can manage a range of up to 380, so the more aerodynamic i7 should manage that with similar hardware. Given that all the power in electric cars is available instantly, we expect the new i7 to be blisteringly quick in a straight line.
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Keyword: New BMW 7 Series and i7 set for 20 April unveiling