The all-new 7th-gen BMW 7 Series has gone on sale in South Africa and, for the first time, the first-class sedan range features an all-electric derivative – the i7. We spent some time behind the ‘wheel of the G70-generation limousine’s flagship offering.
Since its debut back in 1977, the BMW 7 Series has been the Bavarian brand’s answer to the mighty Mercedes-Benz S-Class and subsequently, the Audi A8 and Lexus LS (as far as our market is concerned, anyway). Despite the rise in popularity/prominence of the high-riding SUV, there’ll always be a market for a long-wheelbase sedan that boasts state-of-the-art technology, with comfort and luxury in abundance.
What’s New?
BMW has overhauled the 7er for its 7th iteration; it comes to market endowed with outrageous, in-your-face styling, deeply impressive tech (for the driver and other occupants) and an all-electric version.
The exterior styling is a huge talking point. Suffice it to say, should a new BMW 7 Series appear in your rearview mirror while you’re driving somewhere, its humungous grille will fill up most of the lens. Yes, the styling is, well, an acquired taste. Given the model’s vast dimensions, it’s a seriously imposing limousine and we won’t be surprised if some owner lands up nicknaming their car “the battleship.”
The 2-tone colour option adds to the visual statement and while traditional markets with a typical older customer profile may shun such a flashy look, BMW has revealed that China is the biggest market for the 7 Series (buyers on the Mainland have a predilection for long-wheelbase sedans) and the average age of the model’s customers there is 38, so they will want something that makes a bold statement.
Physically, the new BMW 7 Series is longer and wider than ever, and extensive work has been done on the suspension setup, with BMW prioritising overall ride comfort. Given that the Bavarian marque’s claim to fame is “sheer driving pleasure” and so on, it’s hard to imagine a car as comfort- and luxury-oriented as the new 7 would be engaging to drive. It’s a conundrum; a sporty driving experience would be counter to passenger comfort and so, BMW sought a compromise – “the best of both worlds” – but did it work?
The biggest changes appear inside the lavish cabin, where iDrive Operating System 8 makes its debut. There’s a curved infotainment screen that incorporates a digital instrument cluster. Initially, it’s all a bit intimidating and unlike anything that we’ve sampled. There’s a LOT to take in, but we found that if you can’t find a setting or button, simply say “Hey BMW” and request the setting. That gets the job done.
We could fill this article with the standard features and specification details of the new BMW 7 Series, but you’d get bored and mentally overloaded really quickly, so we’ve used multiple images instead.
MORE: Latest BMW i7 Prices and Specs
What’s on Offer?
BMW South Africa offers the new 7 Series with a choice of 3 derivatives, which are available in a trio of trim packages. For those who insist on petrol power, the 740i features a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbopetrol engine in conjunction with 48V mild-hybrid tech. It produces 280 kW and 540 Nm, and thanks to all-wheel drive, the 740i is capable of hitting 100 kph in a claimed 5.4 sec, while consuming 8.1 L/100 km.
If you think diesel power is the answer to your limousine needs, the 740d is powered by a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbodiesel engine (also augmented with 48V mild-hybrid tech) and the middle-of-the-range derivative develops 220 kW and 670 Nm. It’s said to consume around 6.5 L/100 km, which is still brisk, with a claimed dash to 100 kph of just 5.8 sec. The diesel version will arrive around the middle of 2023.
Finally, sitting at the top of the pile is the all-electric i7. With a 101.7 kWh battery powering the front and rear axles, this electric flagship puts out a mighty 400 kW and 745 Nm of torque. Impressively, it’ll hurtle from a standstill to 100 kph in just 4.7 sec and it has a claimed range of up to 625 km on a full charge.
All 7th-gen 7 Series derivatives in our market have xDrive all-wheel drive and automatic transmissions. Sadly, the twin-turbocharged V12 engine in the M760Li has been nixed by ever-stricter emissions laws.
MORE: BMW 7 Series International driving impression plus video review
What’s it like to drive?
Unlike most new-car media launches, where you arrive at the location, have a press conference and are allocated a car to evaluate on a predetermined route, BMW SA chose to put those who attended the new 7 Series event in the back of the vehicle for the first leg. First impressions count and, just when you think you’ve seen it all in this industry, along comes a vehicle that redefines an eye-opening experience.
We were ensconced in the all-electric i7, which marks an exciting new chapter for BMW’s flagship sedan. You get in, push a button and the doors close automatically. There’s a touchscreen control panel built into the armrest of the door that allows you to adjust your seat position, access massage functions and climate control settings, plus deploy the optional 31-inch infotainment screen from the roof lining. Much like in a business-class seat in an aircraft, it’s possible to set the seats in near-horizontal positions.
So, with the individual rear seat delivering cold air to my posterior and a gentle massage to my lower back while I watched a choice of either YouTube or Amazon content on the big screen, it was hard to stay focused and not give in to total relaxation. One journalist admitted he was so comfortable, he had a nap.
One of the important things to note about electric vehicles is that they’re incredibly quiet, which makes users more aware of other noises, such as road- and wind noise, but, in the new BMW 7 Series, the level of refinement is extremely high, with barely a whisper of the infamous South Easter buffeting the BMW.
While both the 740i and the i7 were available to drive, we spent most of our time behind the ‘wheel of the latter. Like its rivals, BMW has opted to incorporate a full EV in a legacy (or ICE) range, but in the not-too-distant future, most all-electric models will be based on dedicated electric platforms (as is the case with the iX). That’s why BMW is developing the Neue Klasse with 6th-gen powertrain and battery tech.
It’s probably a good thing that the i7 is encased in a conventional 7 Series body because so many (admittedly dedicated) electric vehicles’ exterior designs have been fussy and polarising. BMW has received criticism of the iX, but people won’t know the i7 is an all-electric vehicle unless you tell them.
When you get in, you’re greeted by probably the most advanced instrument- and infotainment setup in a production model. When you start the i7, you’re greeted by the usual electric-car sound… silence, other than the ventilation system and a little chirp from the infotainment screen. Engage drive, and off you go.
One of the most remarkable things about the i7 driving experience is it behaves more like a conventional petrol/diesel vehicle than an electric vehicle. See, most EVs have this habit of decelerating the moment you lift off the accelerator pedal (to recover energy/increase the range). This results in a rocking horse motion, which, in some extreme cases, can induce motion sickness unless you adjust your driving style.
You can set the i7 to be more proactive in this regard, but given the immense range it offers, we left the BMW to its own devices; the adaptive cruise control, aided by navigation data, gently applied the brakes on our behalf. It won’t replenish much battery charge, but the driving experience is vastly smoother.
The BMW i7 only has one shift paddle (on the left-hand side of the ‘wheel). It’s marked “boost” and we tested it when the road was straight and clear… For 10 seconds, the car delivered its utmost power and torque and it was eye-opening to experience just how brisk this large limousine is; it positively hurtled towards the horizon. This is accompanied by a sporty graphic on the curved screen and a sporty sound!
Granted, there is the possibility that all of the tech, gadgets and novelties in the BMW 7 Series will detract from the overall driving experience, but when we drove the i7, it delivered a deeply impressive ride quality on a variety of road surfaces, which is a credit to its novel dual-axle air suspension and adaptive suspension setup.
The steering setup does feel a bit artificial, but you can add a bit more feel and directness if you activate one of the sportier drive modes. Truth be told, on the winding road down to Cape Point, we did hustle the all-electric Bavarian juggernaut along at a brisk pace – it manages to hide its weight and feel reasonably nimble, but the laws of physics do apply; a 2.6-tonne sedan doesn’t excel at rapid changes in direction!
But, if you don’t care about driving precision and finesse, and just want overall comfort, relaxation and the feeling of riding on a proverbial cloud, then you’d struggle to match the competency of the BMW i7.
How much does the new BMW i7 cost in South Africa?
| BMW 740i | BMW 740d xDrive | BMW i7 xDrive60 | |
| Design Pure Excellence | R2 160 000 | R2 280 000 | R2 825 000 |
| M Sport Package | R2 235 000 | R2 355 000 | R2 900 000 |
| M Sport Package Pro | R2 275 000 | R2 395 000 | R2 940 000 |
Prices include a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
Summary
We’re well into the era where high-end luxury vehicles are digital tech fests, but this BMW i7 feels like the most advanced first-class sedan, which is its raison d’etre. Given its multitude of gadgets and gizmos, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and it will take time to understand and appreciate all the 7’s functionality.
There are some great “rich-kid toys” to show off to people, including the BMW 7 Series’ doors, all of which can open and close by themselves, the hazard light button that activates lighting throughout the cabin, the rear entertainment package (and those touchscreen control panels), plus the incredible Bowers & Wilkins audio system that incorporates speakers in the seats.
BMW is claiming level 3 autonomous driving capability too. It’s a massive step forward and a glimpse into the future, not just for BMW or the luxury car segment. This is anything but a tool to get you from A to B.
Where can a premium manufacturer go after introducing a car like the i7? Granted, we have yet to drive the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQS, but there’s a strong likelihood that it will prompt similar questions…
Given the absolute luxury and comfort offered in the rear, as well as the i7’s remarkably nimble road manners, we found ourselves feeling quite perplexed. Is this a car you want to drive – or be chauffeured in? We look forward to taking a deep dive into this highly-advanced, ultra-comfortable high-end sedan.
