Imagine relaxing in your plush Lazyboy, reclining the backrest to its maximum, with the footrest extended and a box of popcorn in hand, ready for an unparalleled cinematic experience while cruising at highway speeds. Doesn’t this sound like a luxurious experience? All of this is now achievable with the new BMW i7 M70 xDrive. While rear entertainment and reclinable seats in cars are not new, the i7 elevates these features to unprecedented levels. The recline angle in this model is likely the most horizontal in any car, and the screen, akin to an IMAX experience, drops down from the ceiling, measuring 31.3 inches in 8K resolution, the largest in any car to date. Accompanying this is a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, ensuring an audio experience that matches the visual grandeur.
The cabin’s ride quality is as smooth as a cloud, gliding over bumps with the aid of air suspension, and the silence within is so profound that you can hear your own breath. This makes for an ideal environment for enjoying movies or conversations without distractions. The rear door handles feature 5.5-inch touchscreens, a first in passenger cars, allowing control over various functions. However, the experience isn’t limited to the rear seats. The driver benefits from a 12.3-inch customizable instrument screen and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen, curved subtly towards the driver, enhancing the driving experience.
The interior is adorned with luxurious materials, including carbon-fiber trims, glass switchgear, and perforated aluminium speaker covers, culminating in a faceted glass dash trim that spans the dashboard and doors, backlit to glisten in the dark. Despite the luxurious interior, some ergonomic issues persist, such as the air conditioning controls, which are challenging to operate, and the crystal-like volume control, which is less practical for frequent adjustments.
The i7’s performance is equally impressive, with rapid acceleration that rivals supercars, thanks to its 5th generation eDrive technology, which includes a 101.7 kWh battery and an all-wheel drive system delivering 660 PS of power and 1100 Nm of torque. Handling is agile for its size, aided by adaptive suspension and rear-wheel steering, and the braking system is robust to manage the vehicle’s high momentum.
Range anxiety is mitigated by BMW’s claim of a range between 488 and 560 kilometers, and a quick charge from 10% to 80% in just 34 minutes using a 195kW DC outlet. The i7 also offers advanced features like automatic doors, which open and close based on proximity, adding to its futuristic appeal. The exterior design, whether in single or dual-paint schemes, exudes a monolithic aesthetic, enhanced by details like shimmery headlamps and a backlit kidney grille, setting it apart from other vehicles.
The 2024 BMW i7, produced in Dingolfing, is a marvel of technology and luxury, serving as a limousine that offers the pinnacle of comfort and performance, while also providing a glimpse into the future of automotive design.
