BMW is expanding the lineup of its electric i7 sedan and will also bring a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the 7 Series that gives the sedan some electric range to complement its gas-engine power.
The 2024 BMW i7 M70 super sedan has two electric motors that generate 650 hp and are fitted in a chassis tuned by BMW M. That gives it 125 horses more than the i7 xDrive60 and an expected zero-to-100-km/h time of just 3.7 seconds.
An M-specific rear motor gives the unit 25.5 per cent better power density than the xDrive60 model. M achieved it by doubling the number of motor windings from three to six. This also lets it maintain a high power output when you're driving quickly.
The rear motor alone makes 483 of the 650 horses. Torque between the two adds up to 758 lb-ft in torque mode, but the M Sport Boost function unlocks 811 lb-ft. M Sport Boost also turns up the electric vehicle sounds and sharpens the chassis, if only for a few seconds at a time. The expected EV range is 474 km.
M has tuned more than just the motor, with the adaptive air suspension also engineered to M specification with electronically controlled dampers. Extra bracing strengthens the body, and BMW M has tweaked the four-wheel steering and active roll control.
Other M changes are cosmetic, including new two-tone paints and more exterior and interior colours.
The i7 M70 will debut an update to BMW's latest operating system with a new QuickSelect functionality to make accessing common functions even easier. The new OS also allows shorter update cycles and has better charging station info.
The other new car is the 750e xDrive. The PHEV 7 Series uses a 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. The gas engine makes 308 hp and 332 lb-ft. The total for both power sources is 483 hp and 516 lb-ft.
With 14.4 kWh of battery, the 750e has 50 per cent more battery than the previous BMW PHEV system. BMW Canada did not, however, give a range estimate for the plug-in model.
The 2024 BMW 750e xDrive starts from $142,500, while the i7 M70 starts from $185,000.
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