BMW’s design crew has caught plenty of flack in recent times and the 7-Collection isn’t any outlier. In reality, it’s perhaps the boldest design alternative within the lineup. Positive, the XM, M2, and different fashions may not be as fairly or classically styled as some want however these aren’t the 7-Collection.

This sedan has lengthy been BMW’s flagship. Giving it seems that seem to separate opinion deliberately is a marked departure from earlier generations.

It’s the rival to different titans within the section and to overcome much more floor, it’s gone all-electric. The related battery and electrical motors deliver two extra gamers to the 7-Collection, specifically instantaneous torque and a bunch of weight.

Fast Details

Over a number of days, we had our probability to see if all of those new sides of the 7-Collection design would add to or detract from the mannequin’s illustrious historical past. Our take a look at automobile was the i7 M70, the most recent and best model of the mannequin. We discovered that even hideous e-book covers can nonetheless comprise revelations within the type of automotive design.

Underpinning The Flagship

BMW sells the i7 in three distinct trims beginning out with the eDrive50, a rear-wheel drive model with 449 hp (334 kW). Subsequent is the xDrive60, an all-wheel drive variant with an electrical motor for every axle with a mixed output of 536 hp (399 kW). In accordance with the EPA, the eDrive50 will get as much as 321 miles of vary whereas the xDrive60 can go as much as 318 miles on a single cost.

Each variations profit from a double-wishbone suspension on the entrance and a five-link suspension setup within the rear. Each 7-Collection, together with the gas-powered variations, will get adaptive air suspension with computerized self-leveling too. In Sport mode, the adaptive system drops the automobile almost half an inch.

On the opposite facet of the coin, the suspension can elevate the automobile by almost an inch for extra clearance and luxury on tough roads. The xDrive fashions get one thing BMW calls Integral Energetic Steering which sharpens response and permits the rear wheels to show (as much as 3.5 levels) both in or out of part with the entrance wheels primarily based on situations.

All of that is to say that at the least beneath the pores and skin, BMW seems to have pulled out all the stops relating to the brand new i7. That’s much more the case with the i7 M70 xDrive. It develops 650 hp (484 kW) and as much as 811 lb-ft (1,098 Nm) of torque. To succeed in that twist determine although one might want to activate the “Enhance” paddle close to the steering wheel or use launch management, in any other case the M70 xDrive makes solely 748 lb-ft (1,013 Nm) of torque.

In reality, the automaker is fast to level out that the motor on the rear axle of the M70 is probably the most highly effective it’s ever put right into a manufacturing automobile. It’s not the one particular little bit of this specific 7-Collection although. The air springs and dampers are uniquely tuned to make this prime trim stage simply that a lot sharper within the bends. Excessive-performance tires are even non-obligatory, one other first, on the M70.

BMW says the M70 xDrive will rise up to 295 miles of vary on a single cost and that it could actually go from 10% to 80% state of cost in simply 34 minutes on a DC quick charging station.

The Lap of Luxurious

The i7 M70 xDrive doesn’t simply should get the underpinnings proper although. This flagship trim nonetheless has to supply flagship consolation and luxurious. We’re completely satisfied to say that it does precisely that. The seats are ergonomically excellent with tons of changes, heating and air flow, wonderful lateral bolster help, and a massaging perform too.

The sprint and middle management stack are a pleasant mixture of old-school BMW styling cues with new-school know-how. The expansive 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster mated to a 14.9-inch infotainment system seems nice and principally works nicely. If there’s something we’d gripe about it’s the dearth of bodily management switches for the quad-zone local weather management features. Past that, the iDrive 8.5 system is snappy, straightforward to make use of, and principally intuitive.

Selecting one’s favourite seat within the i7 M70 xDrive could be powerful as a result of whereas the driving force is having fun with the dynamics of this sedan, the rear passengers get their very own bespoke expertise. Resting above their heads is a large 31.3-inch 8k touchscreen that slides down and into view on the push of a button.

That button simply so occurs to be on both of two portrait-oriented screens that relaxation on both rear door card. The display gained’t work although if both of the entrance seats is about again thus far that the 2 may come into contact. For me, a six-foot-six man, which means my rear-seat passengers must ask me to slip ahead in the event that they needed to look at the large display.

However, the system comes totally loaded with Amazon, YouTube, Netflix, and extra. This automobile isn’t solely about flashy visuals both because it additionally comes with a 36-speaker sound system from Bowers & Wilkins. That’s proper, this sedan in all probability has extra audio system in it than you do in your complete home. Rear seat passengers may even hook up with the rear show with Bluetooth headphones ought to they wish to get pleasure from their leisure in privateness.

On prime of that, the rear passenger-side seat really reclines and incorporates a calf-rest. Each rear seats even have a massaging perform however the cool tech options don’t cease there. All 4 doorways open and shut on the push of a button. In reality, homeowners can configure a button on the keyfob to routinely open whichever doorways they like as they strategy.

Typically, this is among the most luxurious vehicles within the section and probably probably the most superior at this value. It’s considerably sensible too. The trunk options 17.7 cubic toes price of cargo area. From consolation to high quality to sensibility, the i7 M70 xDrive hits all the excessive notes, which it ought to for $194,000 as examined.

A Lightning-Quick Limo

The i7 M70 xDrive seems like a automobile that defies physics however in reality, it’s leveraging intelligent know-how to perform that activity. This tremendous sedan weighs someplace proper round 6,000 kilos (2,721 kg) however the one place you are feeling that heft is throughout onerous braking. Don’t get me improper, it’s clear from the driving force’s seat that this isn’t a light-weight automobile however it additionally doesn’t really feel prefer it weighs greater than a GMC Sierra 1500 (which it does).

The flat-bottomed steering wheel feels improbable and the suggestions it supplies is intuitive and clear. The i7 M70 adjustments course willingly with out physique roll or every other kind of drama. Mash the go pedal and the Hans Zimmer-composed “IconicSounds Electrical” present a futuristic contact that some will love, some will hate, and others will flip off the primary time they hear it. What they gained’t do is get uninterested in how quickly this automobile accelerates. BMW says it’ll do 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in simply 3.5 seconds.

Whereas we didn’t get an opportunity to correctly take a look at that on a monitor we don’t doubt that determine. As well as, the lively M-tuned suspension does a wonderful job of preserving this heavy beast balanced in curves. The rear axle steering makes the entire automobile really feel extra nimble than it has any proper being.

On prime of all of that, the braking system could be one of the best we’ve examined on a sedan of this dimension and energy. Whereas different EVs are inclined to battle with onerous braking occasions, the i7 M70 felt stable, secure, and straightforward to direct.

In fact, on the similar time that each one of that is attainable, the i7 M70 is actually extra of a luxurious limousine than it’s a monitor monster. As we famous in our unique take a look at of the lesser i7 xDrive60, it’s extremely competent there too however did the sporty nature of the M70 break it? In a phrase, no.

I really had the prospect to drive the brand new Rolls Royce Spectre again to again with the i7 M70 xDrive. The 2 aren’t all that completely different by way of journey consolation. BMW may not love listening to that however they need to take it as a supreme praise. The Rolls is best to journey in, the BMW is best to drive, correctly.

Competitors At The Nation Membership

Potential consumers of the i7 M70 xDrive are those that search for one of the best of each worlds, specifically, top-end efficiency and top-end luxurious. It delivers on each accounts however it’s not alone if these are the one two qualities a purchaser is trying to find.

The Porsche Taycan and Lucid Air are each on this dialog however every has a serious downside in comparison with the BMW. The Taycan isn’t almost as snug or luxurious within the again seat. The Air additionally isn’t as posh however it additionally doesn’t have the identical model recognition as BMW.

Tesla and Mercedes each have related foibles. The Mannequin S actually can’t match the i7 in relation to luxurious. The EQS does however I’d argue that it in some way seems worse than the i7 and doesn’t supply the identical sharp driving dynamics. Finally, luxurious sedan consumers now have yet another flagship choice that deserves severe consideration.