What is it?
Arguably the most advanced, most luxurious BMW ever built – the i7 M70. This is the car BMW makes to show off its latest ideas and technology, set to trickle down to cheaper models. Not just the electric version of BMW’s 7 Series limousine, this one is the range-topping electric version with every bell and whistle you could ever want or need.
Does it have any racing pedigree?
The i7 itself doesn’t – although a one-make series could be interesting – but of course, BMW has plenty. And by dint of having the tricolour M badge in its name, the i7 M70 contains a bit of BMW Motorsport DNA that goes back to 1972. As well as plenty of Formula One history, BMW has won a few things in touring car racing…
What’s under the bonnet?
Dual electric motors supply a stunning 485kW and 1100Nm and all-wheel-drive, while a large 101.7kWh (useable) battery pack supplies up to 560km of claimed range using the WLTP standard. Our own testing revealed around 450km is more realistic.
The i7 M70 can be recharged from flat-to-full in just 5.5 hours using a 22kW at-home charger; or can go from 10 to 80 percent in 34 minutes using a DC fast-charger, where it can accept a maximum charge rate of 195kW.
How does it handle?
The power of the i7 M70 is something that will stick in your mind for a long time, like a bored engineer at BMW gave it the acceleration of a 997 Porsche 911 Turbo as a prank. Engage “Boost Mode” and a 10-second timer starts counting down on the digital instrument cluster – oddly ominous given you’re sitting in a totally silent car with no engine running. Floor it, and you’re thrusted near-silently and explosively in a manner that makes you wonder if Einstein got some of his equations wrong. BMW claims the i7 M70 can sprint from zero to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds.
The i7 M70 can tackle corners impressively well for its size and 2695kg weight, thanks to active anti-roll bars and 255mm-wide tyres at each corner. Aggressive rear-wheel-steering makes it feel like a smaller car, the i7 M70 carving through tight roundabouts with ease.
As you’d hope, it’s a beautiful car to drive every day with a lovely, air-suspended ride quality, buttery smooth electric motors and refinement to make a brand new Toyota RAV4 feel like an old Jeep.
Where would you most like to drive it?
Despite sometimes feeling like a petrol-powered car with a small fuel tank – requiring more regular stopping on a road trip – the i7 M70 performs best on the motorway. Ultra smooth and very quiet, its advanced driver assist systems are also the best we’ve experienced in a car, making a long trip effortless.
What’s the interior like?
Spectacular. All four doors open and close electrically. Once you’re inside the large, light-filled interior – and have made yourself comfortable on the plush cashmere seats – you merely step firmly on the brake pedal and the driver’s door closes itself.
A giant curved display dominates the dash – comprising a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen – but while the i7 M70 is great to drive, the back seat is just as tempting a place.
With leg-room like a first class berth on a leading airline, you can recline your seat and enjoy a massage as you watch a movie on the ceiling-mounted 31.3-inch “Theatre Screen”. It really doesn’t get much better than this.
How much does the BMW i7 M70 cost?
Our Tanzanite Blue Metallic test car cost $344,900 before on-road costs.
Would I buy one?
The head says get the cheaper i7 xDrive60, which not only has effectively all the same standard equipment, but also greater range of 625km – and its 4.7sec 0-100km/h acceleration would be brisk enough for most people who buy a car like this.
But the heart says spend the extra $38,000 and get the big daddy model, as you’ll never tire of knowing you can pull up at a red light and be quicker than 99 percent of other cars on the road. And if you thought you found the acceleration surprising, wait until you see the look on the face of someone driving even the fastest HSV.
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