At a time when the luxury sedan segment slowly losing its charm in an SUV-dominated market like India, only a few models in the country are standing tall, keeping the segment alive and BMW’s i7 series is undoubtedly is one of them.
Ever since the 7 Series’ fully electrified version arrived in the country, it created a hullabaloo all over the internet in no time, all thanks to its bold style statement and dominating road presence. It somehow raised the bar for the manufacturers and forced them to think out of the box if they wanted to sustain themselves in the competitive vertical.
The fully electric chauffeur sedan was released in the country last year, flaunting a sticker price of Rs 1.95 crore (ex-showroom). It’s been almost a year now since it made its way to Indian shore, and why are we talking about this EV all of a sudden? Well, the answer is we have driven this car for quite a decent kilometres, understood the vehicle closely, and came up with an opinion.
In this detailed article, we tried to give an overview if this E-sedan is worth this price tag or not. Before we start, we would suggest you keep yourself away from all the distractions and take a nice spot somewhere as this is going to be a hell of a ride with all the ups and downs. Let’s Do This Now!
All About the Looks
The i7 might confuse some people on the road with its Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) counterpart as it shares the same vibe as the 7 series. However, the green number is there to help you out, along with some cosmetic enhancements from outside. The model comes with the signature-styled illuminated Kidney Grille beans grills at the front, complimented by the ‘Iconic Glow’ crystal headlight setup.
The company has used the actual Swarovski crystal inside the DRLs, which makes it stand out among the crowd. It comes with a very loud and bling road presence, enough to turn heads when rolling on the streets. The rectangular front facia offers a similar vibe to the all-new Rolls Royce Spectre. It seems like BMW has arranged a special meeting, asking the Rolls Royce team to come over to dinner and sprinkle some luxurious elements in the model.
What’s Inside
Jumping inside the cabin, it is the section where the real party begins. But, first, you need to open the doors right to enter. To do the task, the vehicle might not ask for your efforts as it opens itself with a press of a button. It only works if the surroundings are devoid of obstacles. However, it might sound like an interesting feature but its competitor Mercedes-Ben already gone the extra mile and offers gesture-controlled doors on its Maybach S-Class.
To compensate for this, the brand has included the segment’s first element inside the cabin. The list includes the Sky Lounge panoramic glass sunroof, inimitable seating comfort, almost invisible AC vents, and a massive curved display. The unit is divided into two parts – the 12.3-inch portion is used for the instrument cluster, while the 14.9-inch area has been taken by the touch screen information display, which supports all the wireless car connect technology including Android, Apple and Auto Carplay.
What’s for Rear Passengers?
Did we mention the back seat comfort and luxury? If not, then it surely deserves a special column as it has a lot that can’t be missed. For the starter, customers get a 5.5-inch touchscreen, located in the rear doors. This helps to control almost every feature inside the car, even drive mode can be selected from here.
To make every mile extra comfortable, the beamer also gets an actual television – 31 inches in size with an 8K resolution. It only comes out when in need, else remains intact on the roof. This screen offers multiple OTT platforms, allowing the passengers to watch their favourite shows or movies on the go. It only works best with a 5G dongle to let you enjoy those 8K content.
However, we would suggest you keep that screen folded while on the run. It might give you motion sickness while watching this high-quality content closely.
The other notable luxurious element is an Executive Lounge Seating, which offers a comfortable and restful position. The only problem here is the feature has been given to one seat only, while the other rear passenger can enjoy the massaging function with a ventilation feature.
Handling and Suspension
Despite having two-and-a-half-ton moving steel, the i7 offers a rooted driving experience on multiple terrains. Yes, we repeat, multiple terrains! It comes with an air suspension, which will save you from rough patches. potholes and pass the effortlessly. The suspension height can be adjusted from a dedicated button that has been placed on the centre console.
Battery, Power and Range
It is powered by a robust 101.7kw kWh battery setup, paired with motors that are capable of generating a maximum power of 650.39bhp and a peak torque of 1015Nm. The unit is capable of offering an impressive range of up to 400 km on a single charge. On the highways, the figures can reach up to 475kms.
The company claims that the vehicle can do 0-100kmph in just 4.7 seconds. If one still feels the lack of punch, there is a Boost paddle shifter, placed right behind the flat bottom steering wheel. It gives you an additional shove to make a rapid launch with just a press.
Since the car does not come with an engine, and produces no sound, it has been given thrilling soundtracks, making the drive more fun.
Here’s What We Feel
If you belong to the rare target audience, who have a budget of Rs 2 to 3 crores, and looking for an impressive performance-oriented chauffeur-driven EV, the BMW i7 surely deserves a shot. The model somehow does justice to its price as it keeps all the luxury, performance and tech under one roof.
The styling or brand presence could be a subjective topic altogether. But, if you are shopping in that vertical at the above-mentioned price range, this one should not be discounted until and unless you experience the vehicle closely. If We would be asked to choose an EV in 2024 under the same segment, the BMW i7 would surely shine on top of the list without a second thought.
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