20 January 2023
The BMW 7-Collection is the brand new flagship of the Munich automaker and the seventh era of a mannequin with greater than 40 years of custom. Alongside delicate hybrid diesel and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) engines, it’s also out there for the primary time as a purely electrical i7.
Since BMW has decreased the brief wheelbase choices, the size of the 7-Collection has elevated considerably (by 13 cm to five.39 m). The i7 is due to this fact extra spacious on the again than the Mercedes-Benz EQS, making it extra appropriate as a chauffeured automotive. It additionally has a a lot bigger capability (two tonnes) than the Mercedes (750kg) and the next prime velocity (240km/h versus 210km/h). Nonetheless, it has decrease boot capability and practicality than the EQS, and is barely slower to cost with a shorter electrical vary.
The design of the brand new BMW 7-Collection and i7 is clearly aimed on the tastes of its core markets, China and the Center East. However that may not attraction to potential European patrons. The sharp, angular entrance, with BMW’s double kidney grille and slender, horizontally cut up headlights, can polarize opinion.
The inside exudes a nice ambiance, the place yow will discover the curved display (with 12.3-inch instrument panel and 14.9-inch touchscreen) that introduces BMW OS 8. The curved display is out there on the three Collection and even the brand new X1, nevertheless, decreasing the 7-Collection’ worth differentiation. Luxurious devices embrace curtains in all three rear home windows and an elective 31-inch film display with sleeper seat. As well as, the automotive is already geared up with the mandatory cameras and sensors for SAE Stage 3 autonomous driving in international locations the place it’s permitted. Match, end and materials high quality are very excessive with nearly no plastic.
Altering habits
Consumers’ habits are altering within the luxurious section. On the one hand, the development is transferring away from basic saloons to SUVs such because the Audi Q8. BMW iX, and the Vary Rover. Record costs are excessive for luxurious sedans, so potential patrons are more and more contemplating different choices, particularly for SUVs. Competing manufacturers provide loads of high-quality automobiles within the luxurious section as nicely, however there are few options past the Audi A8, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
The eight- and 12-cylinder variations that add to the Mercedes-Benz model picture are lacking. Nonetheless, providing all three gas varieties, two of that are electrified, with an undifferentiated exterior design will decrease the obstacles for extra conservative patrons to modify to electromobility.
The most recent 7 Collection is not a automotive for everybody, because it’s particularly designed for chauffeured commuters. That is according to BMW’s plans to promote essentially the most models in China (45%), Asia-Pacific (26%) and the US (20%). This permits solely 9% to be bought within the European area, though the share of electrical i7s ought to exceed the anticipated 33% worldwide, particularly within the central European markets.
There are extra electrical rivals within the luxurious section, together with the Porsche Taycan, Audi e-Tron GT and Mercedes-Benz EQS from the German perspective, in addition to the Tesla Mannequin S, the primary BEV within the section.
Nonetheless, this new BMW high-tech luxurious sedan ought to be capable of construct on the success of earlier generations. With its monumentally daring design, the i7 is an effective different to its aerodynamically optimized rivals, the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Tesla Mannequin S.
View the Autovista Group dashboard, which specifies the BMW 7-Collection/i7 in Austria, France, Germany, Italy and the UK for extra particulars. The interactive launch report offers new costs, projected residual values, and a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Alternatives, and Threats) evaluation.
