Fleet preview BMW 7 Series/i7
BMW’s seventh- generation 7 Series combines striking looks with a luxurious interior and cutting-edge technology. Martyn Collins takes a look.
Interior :
The i7 and 7 Series are now available exclusively in long-wheelbase with either M sport or excellence specification. Inside, the dashboard is dominated by the BMW curved display, which is made up of a 12.3in information display behind
Exterior:
Possibly the most controversially styled 7 Series in all seven generations of 7, or at least since the fourth-generation E65. That model heralded the distinctive design shift under then head, Chris Bangle. BMW already revealed the reinterpretation of its iconic kidney grilles and headlights on the facelifted X7 SUV, but if anything, this new look is even more distinctive on the new 7. The kidney grilles are less of a shock after cars such as the all-electric iX, but the lights are now split into two separate areas. Most prominent are the upper elements, that on the 7 can be cut from crystal glass by Swarovski and work as daytime running lights, sidelights, and indicators. Below them are standard Adaptive LED headlights, which include cornering and matrix high beam functions. Choose the all-electric i7 and there are the same blue highlights as other BMWi electric models. The side of the new 7 is more conventional, with sleek metal surfacing and flush door handles being some of the highlights. The rear styling is as eye-catching as the front, with the slim LED rear lights that extend into the rear flanks, with the brake lights and turn indicators in two slim strips below the main lights.
the steering wheel and another 14.9in control display. The touchscreens continue in the rear door handles, too. There is also a new two-spoke, flat-bottomed, multi-function steering wheel with rocker switches and control wheels. Merino leather on comfort seats and fine-wood oak mirror finish equipment grade are included as standard. An executive lounge option is offered as part of the executive pack, which includes reclining function for the rear seat and integrated leg rest for the space behind the front passenger seat.
Power and Performance:
The new 7 will be launched later this year with the choice of pure electric i7 xDrive60, the plug-in hybrid 750e xDrive and the M760e xDrive will follow in Spring 2023. This dedicated M Performance model will deliver 571hp, combining the expected performance characteristics of a BMW M model with efficiency-enhancing plug-in hybrid technology. The BMW i7 M70 xDrive, the future flagship model, will follow later in 2023. The i7 will probably be of most interest to fleets, with its fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology. Comprising of highly integrated drive units at the front and rear axles that bring together the electric motor, power electronics and transmission within a single, very compact housing, plus the accompanying charging technology and high-voltage battery. Control of the adaptive recuperation function has been further refined in the BMW i7 to increase range – with BMW claiming 367-388 miles to a charge. The efficiency with which power is taken on board the BMW i7 and the durability of its high-voltage battery both benefit from the latest advances in the field of charging technology. Compared with the BMW iX and BMW i4 models, the charging software has undergone further improvement, the temperature of the high-voltage battery is controlled precisely and there is also an innovative facility for saving charging profiles. In addition to this, in the BMW i7, the BMW Maps navigation system displays the charging-optimised route more quickly and in even greater detail.
26 | May 2022 |
www.businesscar.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53
