BMW i7

Step inside the cabin of the BMW i7, and there’s a lot more to talk about the fine artwork BMW has executed in the layout and list of features for this sedan. The BMW i7 is offered with four choices of exquisite dual-tone BMW M Individual leather upholstery options – Merino Black, Merino Tartufo, Merino Smoke White, and Merino Amarone, along with ‘Fineline’ fine wood fine-wood black trim metal effect as standard.

The things which instantly catch one’s attention are the flat-bottom high-tech two-spoke multi-functional steering wheel and the huge 14.9-inch curved display for the cockpit. Adding more extravaganza feel to the cabin is the foldable 31.3-inch roof-mounted BMW theatre screen for the rear seat occupants and the sky lounge panoramic glass sunroof with dynamic ambient lighting.

Below the curved display for the driver’s cockpit, the dashboard has an interaction bar with a faceted look, which accommodates controls for audio and climate control, along with dynamic ambient lighting that stretches wide towards the door panels. Adding more top-class charisma to the cabin of the BMW i7 is executive lounge seating with continuous leg rest for the rear seat occupants, neatly integrated 5.5-inch screens in the rear door panels to control the roof-mounted theatre screen and other in-car functions, mind-boggling 39-speaker Bowers-&-Wilkins audio system with 4D audio experience and 1965 Watts.

The all-new seventh-generation BMW 7-Series has already grabbed many headlines for its bold and extrovert design, which has been kept as the base for its all-electric version, the i7. With the same design as that of the ICE version of the 7-series, the BMW i7 distinguished itself with different paint options.

The front busy-looking profile of the BMW i7 features split iconic glow crystal headlights, which add extensive boldness to the design of the sedan. The double-kidney grille of the i7 features an illuminated contour theme, which glows with the headlamps, making the already loud-looking front profile even more noticeable. The front profile is also characterised by Swarovski crystal elements for the grille and the front bumper garnish.

The BMW i7 has an authoritative road presence when viewed from the side, thanks to its long wheelbase and muscular-looking front and rear fenders and door panels. The i7 comes with a chrome element for its window frame, which highlights the Hofmeister kink towards the rear. The sedan comes with 21-inch M aerodynamic wheels, which have jet black 3D polished buff as standard.

At the back, the BMW i7 shares its narrow L-shaped combination LED tail lamps from the ICE version of the 7-Series, which along with the slim chrome strip and blue highlights on the rear bumper, make the rear profile instantly recognizable and rich-looking.

The BMW i7 xDrive 60 M Sport comes with independent electronically-controlled front and rear air suspension, which along with the multiple drive modes on offer, gives the occupants total control over the driving essence behind the steering wheel and ride quality. From Comfort to Sport Plus modes, the i7 has everything to offer depending on the preference of the occupants seated inside.

The BMW i7 xDrive 60 M Sport version sold in the Malaysian car market comes standard with a dual-motor setup, giving it an all-wheel drive configuration. This dual electric motor setup claims a maximum power output of 544 bhp and a maximum torque output of 795 Nm, making it the most powerful electric car from BMW at the moment. With this powertrain setup, the BMW i7 xDrive 60 M Sport claims a 0-100 kmph sprint timing of 4.7 seconds. The maximum range claimed by the standard 101.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack of this sedan is 615 km.

Being the most expensive and premium sedan offered by BMW, the i7 is also loaded with all the possible safety features one can expect from a sedan of this cadre. This flagship electric sedan from BMW comes with safety features like ten airbags, ABS with EBD, 360-degree parking camera, front and rear parking sensors, hill start assist, hill descent control and an expansive suite of radar-controlled ADAS features.

While the BMW i7 is not everyone’s cup of tea, thanks to its exorbitant price and extremely bold and polarising design, the sedan is one full-blown experience in visual art and performance on wheels, offering the best of BMW in recent times in both design and engineering perspectives.