Updated BMW 7 Series is more than just a facelift

BMW has taken the wraps off its mid-life update (LCI, or Life Cycle Impulse in BMW language) for the 7 Series, and it’s certainly not shy on changes. In fact, BMW calls it the most extensive model update in its history.

The front end looks largely the same, but there are a few nice little tweaks. The light-up ‘Iconic Glow’ grille is now separated into two faux kidney grilles, and the slim LED eyes have been given diamonds to make them sparkle more. There are now six diamonds per cluster, twelve each side for 24 in total, and they look rather spectacular, especially in the dark. 

Overall the design is largely the same, but with the new face and BMW’s ‘monolithic’ design ethos, the new 7 maintains quite the commanding presence. To be honest, it doesn’t look all that far removed from the Rolls-Royce Spectre.

Around the back are new, wider taillights, while the side has fewer creases than before. There are new variable welcome and goodbye sequences, including a very cool breathing effect on the puddle lights, while more than 500 colour combinations for the exterior and a “curated” selection of light-alloy wheels in sizes from 20 inches to 22 inches means buyers can truly customise to their hearts’ content.

Inside is the new Neue Klasse interior, complete with four-spoke steering wheel and the Panoramic iDrive system with the Panoramic Vision windscreen projection in place of a traditional dashboard. There’s the same 17.9-inch central display as other Neue Klasse models, but for the first time BMW is offering a passenger screen as standard.

The 21:9 high-definition display is easy and intuitive to operate, giving the front passenger full access to the wide range of BMW entertainment options. This includes video streaming and TV programmes, gaming, music, video calls and more. For safety, drivers can’t look at the screen for more than about a second. If the cameras detect the driver looking at the screen, it will automatically darken. 

Another highlight that is unfortunately not on the cards for New Zealand is the updated BMW Theatre Screen for rear passengers. It’s a massive 31.3-inch 8K display working with the standard-fit Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system (which now has Dolby Atmos capability) to turn the rear seats into a full-blown private cinema.

While the 7 Series will be offered with a range of powertrains, New Zealand will likely only take the electric i7, like it did previously. That means we’re in line for the the i7 50 xDrive, deploying two motors to produce a combined 335kW/660Nm, fed by a 112.5kWh battery.

It uses Neue Klasse-spec cylindrical cells, but doesn’t get the full 800 volt subsystem. Apparently that would have required a full platform change, so BMW opted to essentially half-and-half the battery. It charges at up to 250kW, able to go from 10-80% in just under half an hour. Full range is between 590km and 708km, says BMW.

The middle i7 is the 60 xDrive, which ups the combined outputs to 400kW/745Nm and uses the same battery pack. Interestingly, the extra power doesn’t seem to have affected the range much, with BMW claiming between 590km and 707km per full charge.

Finally, the i7 M70 xDrive tops out the electric models, pushing power to 500kW and torque to 1015Nm. This time range does take a knock, down to 560km to 650km, owing to more power being called from the same 112.5kWh battery.

Adaptive air suspension means handling should still be sharp, as per BMW standards, while adaptive chassis controlm active steering and active roll stabilisation all come default. M Performance models can also be had with “specially adapted chassis technology” to further improve handling.

Price, final spec and the local debut are all still yet to be confirmed.