2023 BMW 7 Series launched with huge 8K screen
7 Series introduces new all-electric variant called i7
BMW made its mark in the automotive industry for having cars that give “sheer driving pleasure”. But with their new flagship model, the digital entertainment experience is taken to a whole new level.
Here's the all-new BMW 7 Series, Bavaria's latest full-size luxury sedan. For the first time since the 7-series line was introduced in 1977, it now comes with an electric variant, but we'll get to that later.
From the outside, the all-new 7 Series adopts a boxier stance compared to the sixth-generation model, which gives off a rather sportier vibe. The seventh-generation model has adopted the front fascia design first seen on the facelifted BMW X7 with a more imposing kidney grille and a split-headlight design.
Round the back, clear the badges out and one might mistake the 7 Series to be a high-performance M model, especially with its diffuser-like element and the inverted trapezoid-shaped exhausts. BMW launched the car wearing matte-black paint which made its character lines pop out.
Inside the 7 Series is a tech-focused cabin that's also oozing with luxury. The sedan has BMW's latest Live Cockpit Plus infotainment system and the iDrive 8 software. The dashboard layout is completely devoid of buttons, and even the air vents are almost invisible.
It houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster plus a 14.9-inch central touchscreen for entertainment controls, and a touch-capacitive interaction bar to handle things like ventilation and climate control settings.
While the front row is as futuristic as it looks, the second row is where that next-level digital entertainment experience is fully expressed. There's a 31.3-inch, 8K theater screen display placed at the center that gives rear passengers access to built-in Amazon Fire TV and other online streaming services.
Too lazy to reach for the screen? Well, there are two 5.5-inch tablets mounted on either side of the rear door panels to control it. Lastly, the all-new 7 Series has 18 speakers as standard. But opt for the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround System, and that number goes up to 36.
As for its powertrain options, BMW initially offers its gas-powered variants a six-cylinder engine for the base 740i, and a more powerful V8 for the top-end 760i xDrive model. Both engines are complemented with a 48-volt mild-hybrid assist, and are paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The 740i has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that produces a total of 375 PS and 540 Nm of torque with the hybrid assist at full tilt. On the other hand, the 760i xDrive uses a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 with 536 PS and 750 Nm.
In the electric version, officially called the i7 xDrive60, the EV has two electric motors that produce a combined 536 PS and 744 Nm of torque. BMW estimates the i7 has a total driving range of 480 kilometers, and its DC fast charging feature could add up to 120 km of range in just ten minutes.
All variants of the 7 Series get BMW's active driver-assistance systems as standard, and the “Level 2 Plus” hands-free driving system offers excellent lane-centering technology and automatic lane-change functions. In addition, BMW developed its Parking Assistant feature to allow advanced Remote Smartphone Parking and a Reverse Assist to park the 7 Series without the need for any steering input from the driver.
With the 2023 BMW 7 Series set to be sold in the US this November, the all-new luxury sedan is expected to arrive in other markets (as well as in the Philippines) sometime next year. So would you rather drive, or prefer to be driven in the all-new 7 Series? Let us know in the comments.
