Introduction:
This BMW i7 xDrive60 Excellence is the first all-electric BMW i7 and it combines incredible electric performance together with a multi-sensory entertainment system. The version tested starts from £113,970, has a quick 0-62mph of 4.7 seconds and an impressive range of 387 miles.
Long:
I had been warned that this was a long car. My colleague mentioned that it poked out from his driveway. Someone else declined to drive it as it was ‘too big’.
When I picked it up at AA Towers it didn’t look too long as it was parked on its own rather than in the carpark.
However, on a trip to the supermarket it didn’t fit in the designated parking bay and over hung by about 20% of its length. When I checked the dimensions, I saw its length is 5,391 mm which is one metre longer than the average car. This might cause some parking issues particularly in cities.
Looks:
I’ve heard it described as a ‘controversial’ design, ‘marmite’ or even ‘plain ugly’. Most of this comes from the impact of the massive front grille which is somewhat ironic as the BMWi7 is fully electric so doesn’t even need a grille. That aside it looks like a large luxury, somewhat American, sedan.
The rear view is less controversial, but it is box like. However, this car is designed for its occupants rather than the onlookers.
Inside:
Opening the door and entering the car just puts you in a high-tech heaven of luxury. It exudes ambience in spades with cleverly combined leathers, veneers, and decorative chrome trims. This is topped off with amazingly presented secondary cut glass controls and incredibly comfortable broad front seats with every motorised adjustment, massage, and heating function you could ever want. BMW’s gently curved touchscreen infotainment and instrumentation display console gives the sensual spaceship feel.
The in-car display and sensual lighting work like a dream.
There is an expensive feel to this car and the interior is very luxurious and comfortable.
Sound and Vision:
This car takes on a life of its own when it comes to sound. The acclaimed musician Hans Zimmer has created another film soundtrack especially for this car. The two-time Oscar winner’s soundscapes for the BMW i7 are stunning.
Most electric vehicles are quiet, so BMW created its own audio cues for the drivers of its luxury sedan. The “creation of holistic sound worlds” covers everything from the welcome chime to the ready-to-drive signal, to the sounds that react to a driver’s inputs, and even to the acoustic soundscapes that are combined with car’s fancy new BMW Theatre Screen in the back.
When you go into the My Modes menu you can select Personal, Sport, and Efficient, as well as “Expressive” and “Relax.” In all modes, the intensity and frequency of the drive sounds are based on the position of the accelerator and the driving situation. In the Expressive and Relax modes, the soundscapes also interact with the lighting mood and the screen graphics to create an even more holistic experience. It really was surreal listening to ‘expressive’ Hans Zimmer created sounds with Radio Five Live football commentary in the background. Weird but wonderful.
My lads decided to try the rear cinema experience with its 31.3” Theatre Screen in the rear passenger compartment. The screen looked good but even with their technologically younger brains they couldn’t get it to work. They were much more impressed with the fully massaging seats and general comfort.
Drive and range:
Once behind the wheel, out of the tight parking space, and onto the open road, this car is a dream to drive. It is responsive, sticks to the road on corners, and drives well for such a beast. But most of all, it just eats up the miles in extreme comfort and with no stress. It drives as a BMW should. I enjoyed this drive much more than the other big German electric sedans that I have driven.
From my driving I reckon it meets its combined WLTP range of between 360-387 miles which isn’t bad for such a big beast.
Verdict:
Personally, I couldn’t get to grips with the exterior looks or size. But if I wanted, and could afford, a chauffeur-driven car, this would be right up there. Who cares what it looks like from the outside once you are inside and can relax with the Hans Zimmer expressive sound and vision experience while being massaged by the soft leather seats in the back. What’s not to like?
Greg's opinion...
Size:
Being the owner of a seven+ metre long VW Crafter, the size of the BMW didn't really faze me much, until I needed to pop to the shop. Normal parking isn't an option in this car, and much like in the van, one has to look for alternatives or park over two spaces (if you can find two empty ones opposite each other).
Looks:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder they say, but it's a challenge to find this BMW flagship anything other than ugly. I strongly suspect that this is a deliberate move from the German manufacturer, who wanted their top spec road cruiser to stand out, no matter the reason. And it certainly turns heads, with people stopping to watch it pass, no doubt wondering who was being chauffeured in such a beast.
Tech:
All of the tech and gadgetry is great, and as Edmund has explained, there is plenty in the i7. However, a worrying potential issue was highlighted while I had the car. Like many modern cars, particularly EVs, many essential functions are accessed via the large screened infotainment system. There are no physical buttons to fall back on should the system fail, as it did on the morning of day three. With no access to the climate control, sound system or any other function controlled from the screen, it was a cool, quiet Sunday morning drive. (The AC was stuck on its last known setting, which was cold!) Thankfully, the system fixed itself after the car had been parked up for a few hours - a case of switching it off and back on - so there was no need to call for BMW assistance.
Drive:
As for the driveability, speed and handling, I totally agree with Edmund. BMW have achieved the once impossible by creating a massive saloon that performs and handles like a much smaller sports car. It really is a joy to drive and I suspect chauffeurs everywhere will be hoping their employers fancy a massage and a movie on the way to their next meeting.