45 years after the first 7 Series, BMW presented the seventh generation of the series today. The new 7 Series will initially start in Germany as a purely electric BMW i7. In addition to the radical redesign of the exterior, the spacious interior plays an important role. A new option is an extendable theater screen.
i7 xDrive60 as the first model for Europe
The new 7 Series is slated to launch in November this year. Depending on the region, BMW relies on different types of drive, which are intended to reflect the needs of the respective markets. In Germany and in Europe, BMW will initially offer the new 7 Series exclusively as a purely electric i7 with the designation “BMW i7 xDrive60” from 135,900 euros. This variant with electric motors on the front and rear axles has an output of 400 kW and a battery capacity of 101.7 kWh, with a predicted range of 590 to 625 km (WLTP). The vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 s and is electronically limited to 240 km/h.
Gasoline engines for USA and China
In addition to the i7, petrol engines with 48-volt mild hybrid technology are also planned for the USA and China right from the start. These include the 735i and 740i with in-line six-cylinder engines and 210 kW and 280 kW respectively, as well as the 760i xDrive with eight-cylinder engine, which has 400 kW. The mild hybrid system provides additional drive power of up to 10 kW. Immediately after the market launch of the i7, the 740d xDrive will follow as a diesel model especially for Europe. In addition, the two plug-in hybrid models 750e xDrive and M760e xDrive are planned for early 2023. The later top model will be the purely electric i7 M70 xDrive, for which BMW is currently forecasting 485 kW.
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Long version is the new standard
The BMW i7 xDrive60 available at launch measures 5,391 × 1,950 × 1,544 mm (L × W × H) with a wheelbase of 3,215 mm and an unladen weight of 2,640/2,715 kg (DIN/EU). That's 130mm, 48mm and 51mm more than the previous G11. The increase in length reveals that there will no longer be a long version of the new 7 Series because this is now standard. The exterior is dominated by the new lines with two-part headlights, which the new X7 had received shortly before. “Iconic Glow” is the name of the illuminated kidney, which remains closed on the i7 and accommodates part of the sensors of the assistance systems. The electric 7 series is also characterized by blue accents in certain areas of the body. There is no “frunk”, i.e. storage space at the front, even though the i7 has a long “bonnet”.
New cockpit with BMW OS 8
The increase in size not only results in a stately presence when viewed from the outside, but also creates more space in the interior, which should mark the new spearhead among German car manufacturers in terms of opulence. Where the EQS at Mercedes-Benz does not quite reach the level of the S-Class (test) in terms of size, comfort and equipment, the 7 Series and i7 are on the same architecture and therefore the same level. The new cockpit is characterized by the so-called Curved Display, which consists of two screens called Information Display with 12.3 inches in front of the driver and Control Display with 14.9 inches. The BMW Operating System 8 now also runs on it in the new 7 Series, which is to be kept up to date through regular Remote Software Upgrades (RSU). The car has a 5G connection with two SIM cards that cover important vehicle functions and private areas such as multimedia. In spring 2023, YouTube will be available as an app on the Control Display for the first time.
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Interaction bar for visual feedback
In addition to the well-known controls such as touch and iDrive controller, the Interaction Bar, which is installed as standard, takes on a new role in operation and visual feedback in the new 7 Series. The strip running along the doors and the dashboard is a decoration and a functional component in one. The crystalline surface structure was integrated below the decorative strip and accommodates control panels for controlling the ventilation and air conditioning, activating the hazard warning lights and opening the glove compartment. If the vehicle is equipped with electronically opening doors, this function can also be called up via the Interaction Bar.
In addition, the Interaction Bar is part of the ambient lighting and can be illuminated in one color, in multiple colors or as part of a larger lighting scenario as part of “My Modes”. Using the so-called safe exit function, the sensors on the interaction bar provide visual feedback as to whether it is safe to exit. If, for example, a car or cyclist approaches when you open the door, a corresponding warning appears. The hazard warning lights also light up in the Interaction Bar. The driver can use the control display to set which events the bar should react to with dynamic animations, for example with incoming calls.
Theatre screen with 31.3 inches as rear entertainment
The larger rear has a very special role in the new 7 Series, because the vehicle can optionally be transformed into a cinema on wheels via the theater screen. BMW first showed the new special equipment at the CES in Las Vegas in early January, and today it will be unveiled as part of the whole in the 7 Series. The Theater Screen is a 31.3-inch screen with 8K resolution in 32:9 format, which extends in front of the rear passengers via a mechanism in the side roof liner when Theater Mode is selected and is intended to provide an immersive multimedia experience. Theater mode can be initiated via standard 5.5-inch touch displays in the rear doors, which can be used to make all settings in the rear. In addition to the theater screen, this includes the audio system, the air conditioning functions, the seat settings, the ambient lighting and the sun blinds. In Theater Mode, the latter are automatically closed for a real cinema feeling.
Fire TV brings a successful ecosystem
With the Theater Screen, BMW says goodbye, at least in the rear, to building its own ecosystem specifically for multimedia. Because with the partner Amazon, a Fire TV was integrated into the screen, which corresponds in terms of functionality to what users at home are familiar with from a Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Cube with Fire OS. Apps and games that are offered on the products from Amazon themselves are therefore also available in the vehicle. Content can be streamed into the vehicle via the 5G connection or downloaded to a dedicated 128 GB for later viewing offline. The Fire OS interface has been optimized for touch especially for the new 7 series, as there is no Fire TV remote control in the car. You can use your smartphone as a controller for games like Crossy Road.
BMW itself uses the Theater Screen with OS 8 widgets for things like time, date and weather, which are displayed on the edges of the 32:9 screen if these two areas are not otherwise required for classic 16:9 content. In principle, films and series can also be stretched to 21:9 and 32:9, whereby the latter format in particular can lead to a cropped image in many productions. Two 16:9 contents for different films or series per rear passenger are not supported by BMW. Information on possible office apps to make the 7 Series an office on wheels is still pending. BMW wants to comment again on the specific content for the market launch in November. It is already known that a partnership with Huawei and Iqiyi is being maintained specifically for China because the Amazon ecosystem is not available there. >Bowers & Wilkins drives up to 36 speakers
Up to two of your own wireless or wired headphones can be connected to the Theater Screen. Standard equipment includes a Bowers & Wilkins-developed audio system with 18 speakers and 655 watts of amplifier power. Optional is the upgrade to the “Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System, which consists of 36 loudspeakers and 1,965 watts of amplifier power. This also includes four loudspeakers in the headliner, two surround loudspeakers each in the headrests and exciters in the backrests to ensure a “4D experience” with effective bass frequencies. On the back of the theater screen there is an HDMI socket for connecting a notebook, for example. Nothing should stand in the way of a Nintendo Switch either. The integration of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X will probably fail due to the power supply.
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Assistance systems should reach level 3
With a view to the assistance systems of the new 7 Series, BMW is cautious with specific statements on automated driving. In the medium term, the 7 Series is to receive an implementation of Level 3 automated driving functions. BMW had already announced that the new 7 Series would support Level 3 when it announced its partnership with Qualcomm and Arriver. However, the new luxury sedan is still based on the partnership with Intel and Mobileye and will initially be limited to the functions known from BMW as part of the Driving Assistant Professional after Level 2. The North American market is once again an exception, for which BMW has made it possible to drive hands-free at speeds of up to 130 km/h on highways and other roads with separate lanes. With this system according to “Level 2+” (test), however, the driver must be able to take responsibility for the steering task again at any time.
Automated parking with remote control too
BMW goes one step further with the Parking Assistant Professional with remote control and maneuvering assistant. This automatically parks the vehicle and from spring 2023 it should also be possible to operate it using a smartphone near the vehicle. With the help of the maneuvering assistant, trajectory data defined by GPS and steering movements can be used to save route lengths of up to 200 m and retrieve them later when you arrive at the starting point in order to automatically carry out a parking process in narrow and winding garages and parking spaces. A remote control via the My BMW app is also to be submitted for this system in spring 2023. The recently introduced X7 should also have this solution.
Update 04/21/2022 4:05 p.m.
The configurator for the BMW i7 that has been activated in the meantime shows that it is initially the only one in Germany The available i7 xDrive60 model has a base price of 135,900 euros. With the M Sport package the price is 142,800 euros, with the M Sport package Pro it is 146,500 euros. The Rear Entertainment Professional with iDrive operation, which includes the 31.3-inch theater screen, costs 4,750 euros.
ComputerBase received information about this item from BMW at an event hosted by the manufacturer in Munich under NDA. The costs for arrival and departure were borne by BMW. There was no influence on the part of the manufacturer or an obligation to report. The only requirement was the earliest possible publication date.