Price (as tested) đź’˛: $156,595
Powertrain ⚙️: 2 Electric Motors + 101.7 kWh battery
Output đź’Ş: 536 hp/549 lb-ft of torque
Transmission đź•ą: 536 hp/549 lb-ft of torque
0-60 MPH 🚦: 4.1 seconds
Top Speed đź’Ą: 149 mph
MPG (as tested) ⛽️: 87 combined MPGe + 308 mile range
Curb weight ⚖️: 5,917 lbs
BEVs have some sizable hurdles to overcome on their way to market saturation. Charging speed, fast charger availability and reliability, grid integrity, and starting price are just some of biggies.
Then there are the vehicles themselves. Tesla, GM, and other early mass market EV players aimed for the most common consumer desires: ease of use, practicality, and availability. Putting the usability bottlenecks aside, a Model 3 or Bolt makes perfect sense for the mainstream.
But mass adoption doesn’t just follow logic. Look at the iPhone. Sure, it’s easier to use than an Android device, but it’s also more expensive and, in some cases, not as feature-rich. The iPhone earned its crown by cultivating desirability. Wealthy individuals wear an iPhone as much as use it, and the socioeconomic tiers below always aim to emulate.
Automakers are only starting to unlock the desirability of an EV and, in turn, lure affluent trendsetters. Tesla has been smart to balance the practical and apple-esque appeal of its lineup. Lucid highlights chic materials and innovative engineering. Mercedes jumped in eagerly, but bobbled the landing. BMW watched for a little while longer and is now making its move.
Like the iX before it, the BMW i7 is styling overload. Some love the daring exterior, and others – like myself – only find it tolerable in some dark colors. Whichever camp feels right, don’t pitch your tent until you’ve explored the i7’s interior and ride.
With float and quiet nearly as pleasant as the Rolls-Royce Ghost, and a cabin vastly more innovative, the i7 leaps to the forefront of electric luxury.
At roughly 300 miles, range is solid, and with over 500hp, power is as well. The curated sound effects are fun for a day, but can be left alone for the rest of your ownership tenure. Rear passenger room and amenities are better than all the ways you’ve envisioned transforming that den in your home.
It’s an incredible luxury sedan that runs on electrons // It’s a pocket-sized computer that makes phone calls.
Now if only you could charge the BMW i7 as simply as an iPhone…