BMW i7: New luxury car offers cinema feeling in the back seat

With its i7, BMW is clearly demonstrating that electromobility and luxury are by no means mutually exclusive. At least at first glance, the luxury car hardly seems to leave anything to be desired. This applies not only to the driver and front passenger, but also to the rear-seat passengers in particular.

Introduction planned for April 2022

So far, we can only rely on initial speculations and a few images of the BMW i7. After all, BMW has not even officially unveiled the upcoming luxury electric car. This is to follow in April of this year. However, to whet the appetite for more, the tradition-steeped carmaker has named a few exciting key figures that should interest the competition in particular. For example, the BMW i7 is expected to set a new record among BMW’s electric cars with a range of more than 600 km. Furthermore, the Bavarian company states that the power consumption of the e-limousine should be between 19.7 and 18.9 kWh per 100 km. However, the manufacturer obviously does not want to be pinned down and emphasizes that the values are currently still forecasts. Compared to the meanwhile old forecasts from the end of last year, the values have already improved. After all, at that time they were still at 22.5 to 19.5 kWh per 100 km.

Mercedes is ahead

In the automotive industry, there is one rivalry or another. A classic rivalry has always been between Mercedes and BMW. After all, these two companies are the epitome of the German upper class when it comes to automakers. This naturally lends itself to a direct comparison between the companies’ two flagships. A counterpart to the i7 is quickly found in the ranks of the Stuttgart-based company with the Mercedes EQS. Surprisingly, it quickly becomes clear here that the two cars have a very different basic concept despite belonging to the luxury sedan category.

The i7’s ample space makes it the perfect choice for those who like to be chauffeured in a classy ambience. In contrast, the EQS is more inviting for self-driving. In another respect, however, Mercedes’ locking top has its nose clearly in front. And that is the range. Those who opt for the model with the highest range can cover significantly longer distances, at least on paper, until the visit to the charging station is due. For example, with its range of up to 782 km, the EQS 450+ can manage almost 200 km more than the BMW i7.

Luxury for the back seat, too

When looking at current electric cars, you sometimes have to pinch yourself. Some of the designs seem too outlandish. This applies less to the general body design than to the interior. The cockpits in particular allow the driver and passenger to enter a vehicle that ten years ago would have been considered a fantasy from a science fiction movie. With the i7, we can once again expect a fancy control unit for the driver. The brand-new infotainment system with BMW OS 8 is to be used. With 5G, the most modern cellular standard is supposed to be on board right away. However, the view of the back seat is almost more exciting. This reveals that the i7 can be used as a company car for high earners, including a chauffeur.

Directly behind the front row of seats, in fact, is a gigantic display. The so-called Theatre Screen should live up to its name thanks to its 31-inch screen diagonal and pin-sharp 8K resolution. Passengers in the back row don’t have to worry about losing contact with the driver and front passenger. After all, it should be easy to fold and unfold the large screen. When folded in, it should be located directly under the headliner. If you really feel like watching a movie, the bright rays of sunlight from outside should not be a problem. BMW wants to make its “My Theatre Mode” available for this case. Here, the rear row of seats and the rear window are darkened with matching blinds.

Cooperation with Amazon planned

To ensure that the i7 also comes with the right selection of movies and series, BMW has been on the lookout for a suitable partner and has immediately found one. Fire TV from Amazon is on board the Theatre Screen. Of course, no conventional remote control is used here. Instead, BMW relies on control units in the doors. These are supposed to be controlled via touch. Alternatively, the 31-inch screen can also be operated via touch control. Those who are less into movies and more into real life can also simply take a look through the so-called Sky Lounge and gaze at the sky. That’s what BMW calls the glass roof that can be optionally given to its i7.

All-new control panel

On the whole, the i7 seems to be a kind of test run for all sorts of new technology BMW has come up with in recent months and years. In addition to the new features mentioned above, the car’s controls are also set to get a makeover. Among other things, this is made possible by the so-called interaction bar. This is intended to give the chic ambient lighting a practical purpose and turn it into a control unit. It would be conceivable, for example, to regulate the volume by moving along the LED strip.

Visually, BMW is also setting new accents in the interior, which should not only come in the form of high-quality materials. The curved display is also supposed to provide a great feeling in the interior. The iconic BMW kidney, which adorns the front of the vehicle, is definitely a real eye-catcher. Thanks to the matching LED lighting, it should now be perfectly visible even in the dark. As with the newer BMW models, however, it is likely to be a popular topic of debate among car enthusiasts once again due to its sheer size.