Eye-catching 2023 BMW 7-Series G70 unleashed
The seventh generation of BMW’s 7 Series has been revealed to the world, and it’s larger, bolder and more luxurious than ever before.
It will also be available with diesel engines, plug-in hybrid and all-electric powertrains. A striking nose design comprises oversized kidney grilles, which are illuminated and sit next to split lighting, as first seen on the BMW X7, also unveiled this month. LED daytime running lights now sit above a second cluster of adaptive headlights on either side, which is a treatment reserved for BMW’s large, flagship models. Its flanks are simpler, with clean lines and flush door handles, while the rear gets wide taillights and quad exhausts for range-topping combustion-engined versions.
The availability of two-tone paint for the first time gives a distinctive appearance. The interior gets a minimalist dashboard, dominated by BMW’s latest curved display infotainment setup, using a 14.9-inch instrument cluster and 12.3- inch infotainment screen running iDrive 8 software. The rotary iDrive controller on the centre console has been updated, and a new ‘Interaction Bar’ spans the fascia and door panels, providing ambient lighting that can also provide visual prompts.
One of the biggest talking points is in the rear, where an optional 31.3-inch 8K screen can pivot from the ceiling, powered by Amazon Fire TV software for watching media and movies, there’s also an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, with a 36-speaker upgrade also available. Specifications include Excellence – with 19-inch alloy wheels – and M Sport models with 20-inch rims, while wheels measuring up to 22-inches in diameter will be available. The wheelbase of all 7 Series models has been increased to 3,215mm, up 5mm on the previous long-wheelbase edition. Boot space varies between 500 litres for the pure-electric i7, to 525 litres for plug-in models and 540 litres for the mild hybrid diesel version. A folding towbar will also be offered, with a maximum trailer capacity of 2,100kg. Available to order now, the all-electric i7 xDrive60 arrives with customers in December 2022, with 536bhp, a driving range of up to 387 miles and a list price from £107,400. It features a 101.7kWh high voltage battery, twin electric motors and can change at up to 195kW. Later a more powerful i7 M70 xDrive flagship with a provisional 651bhp will arrive. From early 2023, the 7 Series will be available with 750e xDrive and M760e xDrive plug-in hybrid powertrains, both using a straight-six turbocharged petrol engine and electric motor, producing up to 483bhp and 563bhp respectively. The 197bhp electric motor is integrated within the new eight-speed automatic gearbox, and an 18.7kWh battery is said to provide up to 50 miles of electric driving range. The sole diesel engine will be the 740d xDrive, using a straightsix mild hybrid powerplant to produce 295bhp and return up to 47.9mpg.
This model arrives in the spring next year. Based on a development of BMW’s CLAR underpinnings, the new model will use air suspension capable of raising the car by 20mm to help traverse steep ramps or rough roads. Rear wheel steering will also come as standard, with an angle of up to 3.5 degrees to help improve its turning circle.