BMW does not leave Mercedes’ EQS unanswered. The German brand has unveiled its first all-electric 7 Series, the i7 xDrive60. The long-wheelbase luxury sedan offers solid performance with a twin-engine setup producing 536 horsepower, a 0-60 mph sprint in 4.5 seconds and a provisional EPA range of 300 miles. As with the conventional 7 Series, however, the focus is on physical comfort – this is designed for both chauffeured executives and drivers.
Gallery: BMW i7 xDrive60 | 4 photos
Gallery: BMW i7 xDrive60 | 4 photos
That driver will see a dual-display curved surface that includes a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen. BMW touts a smartphone-like user interface, but you’ll also find a new “interaction bar” that offers touch-sensitive controls for common functions like climate settings and hazard lights. You can even customize the bar’s lighting to react to specific events, such as B. to incoming calls or calling up the Intelligent Personal Assistant from BMW (for the first time also from the rear seats).
As mentioned, the best experience is probably at the back. Jump in for the optional Theater screen and you get a 31-inch 8K rear display with a 32:9 aspect ratio and a Fire TV interface. The rear window blinds even close when you turn on the system. Each rear door has its own 5.5-inch touchscreen for climate, media and seat controls, while a standard panoramic LED roof can create a light show in addition to depicting the sky. You’ll have access to 5G, including a “personal eSIM” that can migrate between cars.
Other tech upgrades include an optional Highway Assistant (part of a Driving Assistance Professional package) that allows hands-free driving up to 130 km/h, a smarter Parking Assistant Professional with remote control and a Maneuver Assistant that supports tricky driving scenarios (e.g. parking garage). An augmented reality view on the instrument screen merges video with directions and similar information, while the doors both detect potential hazards and (with another option) open automatically by touching the handles or the interaction bar. Owners of newer iPhones equipped with UWB can also use Digital Key Plus to automatically lock and unlock the doors and finally unlock the doors or arm the alarm system.
Unsurprisingly, that excess will cost you. The i7 xDrive60 will start at $120,295 ($119,300 plus destination charge) when it arrives in the US in Q4 of the year, and that’s before you add extras like the 36 Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System Add speakers. That’s not a fancy price point for BMW’s target audience, though, and undercuts the EQS 580’s $125,900.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team independently from our parent company. Some of our stories contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may receive an affiliate commission.