BMW i7 M70 xDrive is the fastest electric BMW

A 5.39-meter sedan that weighs well over 3 metric tons and yet it manages to deal with the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 3.7 seconds - the experience must be mind-blowing. The BMW i7 M70 xDrive has officially become the fastest electric BMW and with this kind of performance, it starts seeping on the toes of its smaller siblings from the M division.

Electric cars still feel relatively new, electric BMWs appear to be rare but only until we realize that the electric powertrain on this i7 is already in its fifth generation. That’s right, BMW i7 M70 sports the fifth generation eDrive - new electric motors, improved battery, and power electronics. That means not only a faster car but faster charging, longer range, and better packaging which results in yet more room.

Since this eDrive comes from the M division it has been redesigned for more power. Both motors do not use any rare earth metals but instead are electrically excited. Add to it integrated dual inverters and integrated transmission and we end up with a motor that has 25% more power density than the same unit on the BMW i7 xDrive60. That new motor powers the rear axle on the i7 M70 while the front unit is the same as on the standard i7.

The figures are quite staggering - the peak power output of the rear motor is 489 hp (360 kW), and the front motor throws in an additional 258 hp (190 kW). The power-sharing results in 660 hp output (468 kW) and 1,015 Nm torque which goes up to 1,100 Nm when Launch Control is engaged. That explains the car’s gravity-defying 3.7 seconds sprint to 100 km/h.

All that power is nothing though without a good chassis. The M-tuned suspension delivers exceptionally sporty handling, according to BMW. The company apparently achieved a perfect balance between handling and comfort without the latter suffering at all. The adaptive two-axle air suspension is standard on the i7 M70 and comes with electronically controlled dampers.

On the luxury front, this still is the BMW i7. Automatically controlled doors come courtesy of the BMW Digital Key Plus and the My BMW app. The Theatre Screen together with Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system creates an unprecedented experience of true cinema on wheels.

For the first time, the illuminated grille becomes available for the i7 and there are new two-tone paint finishes as well. Eight two-tone variants are offered initially with over 100 BMW Individual colors with the Frozen finishes (matte) produced using biomass instead of crude oil for the first time.

BMW chose the Shanghai Auto Show for the global premiere of the i7 M70 xDrive and the vehicle will be officially unveiled on April 18. The official press release makes an interesting reading, especially the personalization section - the number of options is pretty much unlimited. As for the price, the company hasn’t released it yet but we can expect a hefty premium over the €138,000 that the standard i7 xDrive60 sells for.

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