2023 BMW i7: All the facts

BMW has crowned its range with a new, all-electric flagship: the 2023 BMW i7 takes the technology and opulence of the regular 7 Series, and gives it a swift and silent electric twist.

From launch BMW offers the i7 in a single variant, the i7 xDrive 60, which sits above the regular petrol-powered 740i in the 7 Series range. From late in 2023, the i7 xDrive 60 will be joined by a second electric model dubbed the i7 M70 xDrive, slotting in as a new halo model in the range.

While the i7 models share their underpinnings with the regular 7 Series, BMW has spun the i7 models off as their own distinct models within the range.

Befitting their flagship status, both the xDrive 60 and M70 xDrive feature dual-motor drivetrains with front and rear electric motors and all-wheel drive.

In the case of the i7 xDrive 60, a front 190kW/365Nm motor and rear 230kW/380Nm motor combine for claimed maximum outputs of 400kW and 745Nm. The i7 M70 ups the ante with the same front motor working in tandem with a more powerful 360kW/650Nm rear motor. In this case, peak outputs rise to 550kW and 1015Nm, but by using Launch Control or M Boost Mode a temporary 1100Nm peak is available.

While luxury is the prime directive of both models, the xDrive 60 is capable of a 0–100km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds, while the M70 slashes that time to a far swifter 3.7 seconds.

Driving range using WLTP maximum range forecasts gives the i7 xDrive 60 a potential 625km from a single charge, while the more powerful M70 xDrive carries a 560km maximum range claim. Both use the same 106kWh lithium ion battery, resulting in a full charge from an 11kW wallbox in 10 hours 42 minutes, a 50kW fast charge time of 2h 21min, or at the i7's maximum 195kW charge rate, a 34-minute 10–80 per cent charge.

Want to find out more? Click here to discover more about the BMW i7 range, including comprehensive price and specifications, and in-depth reviews and road tests from the Drive team.