BMW has announced the launch of its most powerful electric offering into the Australian market to date – the i7 M70 xDrive variant from its flagship 7 series. But it won’t come cheap, with the on-road price of the premium model more than $350,000.
The i7 M70 has a dual-motor powertrain, and will produce 485 kW of power and 1,100 Nm of peak torque, helping it sprint to 100 km/h from zero in 3.7 seconds. It is powered by a 106kWh battery pack and will deliver 560kms of range (WTLP).
The top speed of the new most-powerful variant is capped electronically at 250 km/h.
According to BMW, the motors on the i7 M70 are the most powerful units they have equipped for any BMW thus far and have a power density of 2.41 kW/kg.
This is an increase of 25% over the xDrive60 model currently available in Australia. For comparison, the xDrive60 variant’s motors produce combined power of 400 kW.
Charging the 106 kWh battery can be done with AC charging speeds of up to 22 kW. On the road, it can also be DC fast-charged at speeds of up to 195 kW.
The new top-of-the-range variant comes standard with 21-inch M light-alloy wheels which have had aero treatment.
Underneath the wheels sit blue M Sport brakes with the M logo on them representing the BMW M performance division’s tick of approval.
To get into the car, the BMW i7 M70 will include an option of what BMW calls the “BMW Digital Key Plus” smartphone digital key. The doors will unlock as the driver approaches the car along with automatic locking when walking away from the vehicle.
On the inside, the i7 is one of the first models to feature the BMW iDrive infotainment software operating system 8.5 with the Connoisseur Lounge Package included as standard.
For on-the-road charging, the BMW i7 will come with a five-year Chargefox five-year subscription plan ensuring fast charging availability at sites across Australia. Meanwhile at home, a BMW Wallbox unit is offered to customers as standard.
For the Australian market, the i7 M70 will be manufactured at BMW Group’s Dingolfing plant in Germany.
The flagship electric sedan from BMW is expected to land in the last quarter of 2023 with an asking price of $344,900 before on-roads.
Local specification and pricing
The BMW i7 M70 xDrive will bring an extensive standard set of specification elements. Its place in the new BMW 7 Series line-up and equipment offering is detailed below:
| Model | 740i | i7 xDrive60 | i7 M70 xDrive |
| MRLP | $272,900* | $306,900* | $344,900* |
| Standard Equipment | Standard spec highlights:
|
Additional standard spec over 740i:
|
Additional standard spec over i7 xDrive60:
|
Paint, upholstery and alloy wheel program
The following section showcases the paint finishes, upholsteries and alloy wheels that are available on the all-new BMW i7 M70 xDrive.
Paintwork (all no cost options)
Non metallic
– Alpine White
Metallic
– M Carbon Black
– Black Sapphire
– Mineral White
– Oxide Grey
– M Brooklyn Grey
– Aventurine Red
BMW Individual Metallic
– Dravit Grey
– Tanzanite Blue
– Frozen Pure Grey
– Frozen Deep Grey
– Frozen Tanzanite Blue
BMW Individual Two-Tone Metallic including Coachline
The BMW i7 M70 xDrive is available in BMW Individual Two-Tone paintwork including Coachline in two styles as per the 740i and i7 xDrive60 introduced earlier this year. However, new for the model is the ability to specify BMW Individual Special Request Paintwork colours for the lower section.
Upholstery
All no cost options
BMW Individual Leather ‘Merino’
– Smoke White
– Amarone
– Mocha
– Black
– Tartufo
BMW Individual Leather ‘Merino’/Wool-Cashmere Combination
– Smoke White/Light Grey
– Black/Grey
Interior trims
All no cost options
– Carbon Fibre M interior trim with Silver Stitching/Piano Finish, Black
– Fine-Wood trim Oak Mirror Finish Grey-Metallic High-Gloss
– BMW Individual Fine-Wood trim Ash Flowing Grey, Open-Pored
Alloy wheels
All no cost options
– 21-inch M aerodynamic wheels 909 M Multicolour 3D polished buff (fitted as standard)
– 21-inch M Light alloy wheels Star-spoke 908 M Bicolour
– 21-inch M Aerodynamic wheels 909 M Multicolour Jet Black 3D polished buff
– 21-inch BMW Individual Aerodynamic wheels 910 Multicolour Dark Grey 3D polished buff
M Performance Package
No cost option
– M Sport Brakes in Black High-Gloss, alternatively in Dark Blue metallic
– M Rear Spoiler in Black High-Gloss
BMW Individual High-Gloss Shadow Line with extended Contents, in Black High-Gloss:
– Radiator grille frame
– Radiator grille struts
– Rear apron trim strip
– Rear lights
BMW i7 M70 at a glance
| Power unit | Twin motor electric |
| Drive | All wheel (xDrive) |
| Max power (kW) | 485 |
| Max torque (Nm) | 1100 |
| HV battery (kWh) | 106 (101.7 usable) |
| 0-100km/h (sec) | 3.7 |
| Consumption (kWh/100km) | TBC |
| EV range (WLTP) | Up to 560km |
| Price (xLine and M Sport) | $344,900* |
*Recommended Retail Pricing is shown and includes GST and LCT but excludes on-road costs. Customers are advised to contact their nearest BMW dealer for all pricing enquiries.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.