Seventh-gen BMW 7 Series unveiled; Debuts all-electric i7

The new BMW 7 Series will continue to rival the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Audi A8.

BMW has finally taken the wraps off its all-new 7 Series range. The brand's flagship range is now in its 7th-generation and features a drastic change in terms of design, features and tech. The new 7 Series will be offered in a range of petrol and diesel engine options, with BMW also debuting an all-electric version, called the i7.

In terms of exterior design, the 2022 BMW 7 Series now comes with a radically new front fascia featuring split headlights, with the LED daytime running lights on top and the main headlamp cluster below. The car also features a massive front grille along with a new front bumper and fog lamps at either end. The side and rear profiles have also been changed and now feature freshly-designed alloy wheels (standard 20-inch & 21-inch optional) and new horizontal LED taillights at the rear, along with a refreshed bumper.

Inside, the new 7 Series comes packed with all the latest tech, including the brand's latest curved digital display running the iDrive 8 OS. The flagship sedan features a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Other features include a new flat-bottom steering wheel, touch-sensitive controls on the centre console, gear selector and the traditional iDrive controller. The new 7 Series comes with a massive 31-inch 8K roof-mounted theatre screen at the back, capable of video streaming via Amazon Fire TV. The massive screen is controlled by 5.5-inch screens positioned on the rear door handles.

The new BMW 7 Series will be offered with a set of petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains. Currently, the 7 Series comes with either a 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder petrol in two state-of tunes, either 282 BHP / 425 Nm or 375 BHP / 540 Nm, depending on the variant. There is also a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 536 BHP and 760 Nm, sending power to all four wheels via the brand's xDrive system. Both engines come paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The all-electric BMW i7 comes in a single xDrive60 trim. The i7 packs a 101.7 kWh battery pack that powers dual electric motors (one on each axle). The electric powertrain produces 536 BHP and 745 Nm. The all-electric BMW i7 is said to have a maximum range of 625 km on a single charge, with fast and standard charging options.

BMW has also stated that diesel and other plug-in hybrid powertrains will be introduced on the 7 Series sometime in early-2023.

The new BMW 7 Series will go on sale internationally in the coming months. Prices for the flagship sedan will be announced closer to the date of launch.