You’ve seen the spy shots, teasers and the leaks, well, the real thing is finally here. Here it is, the new flagship sedan from Munich, and this time, we’ve got an all-electric option as well. The all-new 2023 7 Series finally breaks cover with a host of powertrain options and a futuristic tech-laden interior, designed to be an entertainment powerhouse.

Overview

The new 7 Series is an extremely important model for BMW as it not only showcases the automaker's new-age cutting edge features but also shows off the significant strides that BMW has made in terms of all-electric powertrains and future technologies for next-generation EVs. The latest G70 generation 7 Series is built on the underpinnings of the outgoing cars' CLAR platform that can adapt to different powertrains. It combines the brand's latest luxury features with its most advanced electric motors and batteries.

Exterior

The new 7 Series borrows a lot from the 2023 BMW X7 that broke cover last week. This all-new-design direction as BMW likes to call it, monolithic design has been developed specifically for the luxury models. It sees a new split headlight setup with the Crystal running lights that sit up top, while the main units sit further down in the bumper and behind smoked lenses. As for that large grille which now has illuminated surrounds, it is a lot more upright when compared to the outgoing model.

Whether it looks good or not, I’ll leave that for you to decide. But, I suppose BMW has done this for a few reasons. The first of which is that the 7 has to appeal to customers in markets like China, where going bold is the name of the game. The other reason is that the new 7 now has level 3 autonomous driving, which means there are a host of sensors hiding behind that grille.

From the side, things look far more conventional. The hockey stick is now gone and you have flush door handles now. You’ve just got two creases that run the length of the vehicle. A pronounced Hofmeister kink, which is a BMW design trademark definitely makes its presence felt. Things at the tail end aren’t as dramatic as in the front. You’ve got a pair of slim L-shaped taillights. I’m glad, BMW didn’t follow suit with a light bar, which is now becoming more common across the industry.

On gas-powered models, you’ve got a set of proper pipes (no fake vents here), while the BMW i7 doesn’t have any and distinguishes itself with blue accents across the bodywork.

Interior

While that polarising front end might not be to everyone's taste, the same can’t be said about the interior of the new 7. It really is on another level. Ever since I laid eyes on the cabin of the BMW iX, I was totally smitten. While models like the S Class and Mercedes EQS are going with luxury as their mainstay, the new 7’s cabin is all about cutting-edge and high-tech. This cabin looks like it belongs on a concept car, and that is saying a lot.

You can access the cabin via optional automatically opening and closing doors. Once inside, you’re greeted with a futuristic-looking dash. It houses a pair of screens, similar to what we’ve already seen on the iX. The 12.3-inch digital display that serves as the driver's instrument panel along with a 14.9-inch infotainment screen is housed together within a single curved floating panel.

If you look closely, you’ll see that the air vents aren’t visible. That is because BMW has integrated them into a new thin strip, called an interaction panel that spans the width of the dash. that spans the width of the dash.}} It also houses ambient lights and other decorative elements. Depending on the trims you choose, you can select from a range of trims with everything from light open-pore wood on the dash to sporty carbon fiber.

Moving to the rear, a fixed transparent panoramic sunroof is standard across the range and floods the cabin with ample light. You can also optionof a Sky lounge panoramic sunroof that has LED light threads. Another optional extra that you should definitely add is the Executive lounge, which adds gapless leg rest to the rear seats.

But perhaps the standout feature in the rear has to be a new 31.3 inch 8K touchscreen (32:9) that extends down from the roof. It can be paired to a high-end Bowers and Wilkins Stereo, which also have speakers in the head restraints. You can stream Amazon Fire TV, thanks to the 5G compatibility, this is your own theatre on wheels.

Since this is the top-of-the-line BMW limousine, comfort is one of the priorities for the new i7 and it continues to deliver on that front. You should expect an exemplary ride from the setup two-axle adaptive air suspension system.

Powertrains

The updated CLAR platform has the ability to support a range of powertrains.

The base model 740i packs a 3.0-Liter turbocharged in-line 6 with a 48-volt mild-hybrid technology that produces 380 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system adds another 18 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque. The base model sends power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed auto.

Next in line is the 760i xDrive. As the name signifies, the model has an all-wheel-drive setup and an 8-speed transmission. Under the hood lies a 4.4-Liter twin-turbo V-8 that puts out 544 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. You’ve got the same 48-volt mild-hybrid that also does duty here.

The first-ever fully-electric i7 xDrive 60 meanwhile features a dual-motor setup that has a combined output of 536 horsepower and 549 pound-feet of torque. It has a 101.7 kWh battery, which has an estimated range of 310 miles on a charge. The battery supports 195kw, which means you’ll be able to add 80 miles of range in just 10 minutes.

BMW will soon also add two models worthy of the M Badge. They are the M760e xDrive plugin hybrid with 563 horsepower and 591 pound-feet of torque and the all-electric i7 M70 xDrive that packs 597 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque.

Now while the 7 has taken on flagships like the S Class, the Audi A8, and the Jaguar XJ, one area where it had an edge over its competitors was with its driving dynamics. This is after all the brand that produces the ultimate driving machine and the flat-bottom steering should give you a hint of its superior driving credentials.

Pricing & Availability

The new 7 will hit dealerships in November this year with prices for the 740i starting at $94,295 while the 760i xDrive will be priced at $114,595. Meanwhile, the i7 will go on sale in fall 2022, and with all the bells and whistles, will cost $120,295.

Conclusion

Now despite the onslaught of gas-fuelled cars like the BMW M3 CS, the facelift X5 and X6, and even the much-awaited M3 Touring, we all know that BMW’s future depends a lot on its electrification strategy. The new 7 proves that BMW is right up there with its rivals in terms of technology and innovation.

With cars like the i3 city car, which came out about a decade ago, the German marque was just testing the waters with EVs. Models like the iX and now the new flagship i7 however show the brand’s commitment to sustainable