BMW i7 Sedan Undergoes Endurance Tests in Sweden
According to the Bavarian automaker, the upcoming BMW i7 will be the ‘world’s first all-electric luxury sedan.’
Earlier last month, we discussed the BMW’s i4 M50 offering, which is the first-ever all-electric model from the company’s hallowed M division. Now, the Bavarian automaker is claiming that it will soon introduce another industry first. In a recent press release, the German brand revealed that prototypes of the upcoming BMW i7 electric sedan have completed the final testing of drive and suspension systems.
BMW was conducting its endurance tests at the company’s winter test center in Arjeplog, Sweden. The company also claims that the BMW i7 will be the world’s first purely electric luxury sedan. Even though some might find BMW’s claim a tad controversial, we reckon it’s quite anodyne considering the minimalist approach EV manufacturers like Tesla take with their flagship sedans. The luxurious BMW i7 sedan is a very important step in the automaker’s constantly expanding electric mobility range.
BMW i7 will share its fifth-generation eDrive technology with BMW iX SUV and will get DC fast charging capability.
The upcoming electric sedan will go on sale alongside the internal combustion versions of the next-generation 7 Series. We see a heavily camouflaged BMW i7 in the images released by the automaker. Judging from the photos, it is quite possible that the upcoming full-size luxury EV will ditch BMW’s controversial front-end design and might sport a much smaller kidney grill. The headlights of the luxury sedan will probably be set low in the front-end, which will give it an aggressive and sporty fascia.
The front bumper houses air intakes that will cool the battery pack. Furthermore, BMW’s signature Hofmeister kink is also quite evident, even with the heavy camouflage. BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive technology will underpin the upcoming i7 sedan, which it will share with the iX SUV. For the uninitiated, BMW iX gets a 105 kW H battery pack in its most capable xDrive 50 spec. The battery pack gets DC fast charging capability and can charge up to speeds of 200 kW.
This means customers will be able to recharge the battery pack from 10% to 80% capacity in around 35 minutes. The all-electric drivetrain produces 523 HP of maximum power and around 564 lb-ft of peak torque. The Munich-based company also confirmed that it will present the BMW i7 next year. BMW i7 will rival the likes of Lucid Motors Air, Tesla Model S, and Mercedes EQS in this segment.
Photos: BMW