7 Generations Of Glorious Luxe Power
Coming to New Zealand and Australia at the end of 2022 is the new BMW 7 Series, our personal favourites when it comes to long-distance travel in luxurious comfort.
You just can’t beat some good two-axle air suspension and adaptive damping for a smooth ride. The interiors come fitted snug with merino leather/cashmere wool and an optional 31.3” theatre panoramic touchscreen. Now that’s hot.
Other prominent interior elements include a subtly backlit control panel in the centre console with a new gear selector, as well as glass applications for selected controls. Newly designed function buttons on the steering wheel include active haptic input.
The seventh generation BMW’s also feature an all-electric drive system for the first time ever in the form of the much anticipated BMW i7. No matter where you are on the energy spectrum, there’s something for everyone in the series; good old gas guzzlers at one end and plug-in hybrids somewhere in-between.
The BMW 740i, is powered by the most powerful version of BMW’s renowned three-litre TwinPower Turbo in-line six cylinder engine. Peak output is rated at 280kW and maximum torque 540Nm, helping to push the 740i from 0-100km/h in just 5.4-seconds.
The BMW i7 xDrive60 uses a combination of efficient electric drive, optimised adaptive recuperation, improved climate control and high energy density for the high-voltage battery with usable capacity of 101.7kWh deliver a range of 590-625km on the WLTP cycle. The BMW i7 xDrive60 achieves the standard sprint in only 4.7-seconds.
These new sedans feature a long wheelbase variant 5mm longer than the sixth gen long wheelbase models. Width and height has increased by 130mm, 48mm and 51mm respectively.
The tech packed into the 7 series has enough potential to be capable of level 3 automated driving and parking, alongside its active safety tech. Level 3 is short for conditional driving automation, meaning that vehicles with it have environmental detection and decision making abilities, but still require human override. So no catnapping or goofing off with your 31.3” touchscreen on State Highway 1 please, thankyou.
Quick facts
- Wheelbase 5mm longer than sixth generation long wheelbase 7 Series and overall length increased by 130mm, width by 48mm and height by 51mm
- New 740i with 48-volt mild hybrid technology features TwinPower Turbo in-line six cylinder engine to deliver 280kW and 540Nm
- Fully electric i7 xDrive60 incorporates fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology with dual motors to produce 400kW and 745Nm