In the realm of luxury sedans, the new 2024 BMW i7 M70 offers a whopping 650 horsepower. However, in almost all practical situations, it is no better than the more affordable i7 xDrive60.
The i7 M70 comes with more power, additional equipment, and a slightly more aggressive suspension. Nevertheless, the essence of the 7 Series remains intact – a car designed to prioritize comfort and luxury rather than high-performance driving experiences.
Both the i7 M70 and xDrive60 are equipped with a 105.7-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, of which 101.7 kWh is usable. They both have a dual-motor, all wheel drive powertrain layout and share the same front e-motor that generates 255 bhp and 269 pound-feet of torque.
As for the differences:
The M70 receives its extra power from a more potent rear drive unit, producing 483 bhp and 479 pound feet of torque. Interestingly, this increase in power does not significantly affect the sedan’s driving range.
The M70 at 465 kms and the xDrive60 at 505 kms (although opting for bigger wheels will decrease the range for both models).
In total, the i7 M70 delivers an impressive 650 horsepower and 749 pound feet of torque (or 811 pound-feet for brief periods when using launch control or the steering wheel’s boost paddle). This represents an increase of 114 horsepower and 200 pound feet (or 262 pound-feet) over the i7 xDrive60.
It shaves off a second from the sedan’s 0-to-60 mph time, achieving 3.5 seconds compared to 4.5 seconds, and increases the top speed from 149 mph to 155 mph. However, considering the instant torque that all electric cars offer, is a 1 second improvement truly worth the additional price? Especially in the context of a 7 Series?
What else is on offer for the M70 Buyer:
Of course, the additional cost of the M70 provides more than just power. It comes standard with 21-inch wheels fitted with 255/40 front and 285/35 rear Pirelli P Zero tires. Additionally, 20-inch wheels with high performance summer tires will be available, unlike in the xDrive60. The M70 also features BMW’s 48-volt active anti roll technology and 2.5-degree rear axle steering (in comparison, the EQS offers a 10 degree rotation). The exterior of the M70 includes blacked out elements, which improve the somewhat polarizing appearance of the i7.
Furthermore, the M70 boasts a more pronounced rear diffuser, drawing attention to the spot where traditional tailpipes would be located. (This has become a design trend in the industry.)
Regarding the interior, the M70 mirrors the i7 in terms of its exquisite craftsmanship. The two tone upholstery designs, glass controls, and backlit panels that can be customized to various colors create a stunning cabin environment. Notably, there is not a single ill-fitting piece of plastic in sight. Despite the controversial exterior design of the 7 Series, the interior captivates with its remarkable beauty, comfort, and serenity – unless you decide to amplify the experience by cranking up the exceptional Bowers & Wilkins stereo system.
New features, New benefits:
The 2024 BMW i7 M70 arrives with a new cabin tech feature, iDrive 8.5, which will be introduced to other BMW models via an update. iDrive 8.5 shares the basic software of iDrive 8.0 but includes a few user experience (UX) tweaks that enhance its intuitiveness, particularly for first time users. On the home screen, frequently used widgets overlap a large map, and a row of controls at the bottom of the display provides easy access to major pages such as navigation, media, and climate controls. Although the main iDrive menu remains cluttered with small icons, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now wireless, allowing users to bypass any iDrive related difficulties. This is undoubtedly a relief.
A single large, curved display integrates a 12.3 inch gauge cluster and a 14.9 inch multimedia touchscreen, both of which offer an array of impressive features. These include augmented reality navigation overlays and reconfigurable themes based on different “moods” (as BMW refers to them). Additionally, BMW’s AI assistant is always available to assist with voice-activated commands. By simply saying “Hey, BMW,” the AI wakes up and attends to your requests, even the most trivial ones. For instance, instead of merely pressing the one touch, auto down window button, you can say, “Hey, BMW, roll down the driver’s window.” Of course, assuming the AI understands your request correctly from the first attempt.
Overall, both cars represent the future of BMW and showcase some very interesting features, but is the additional cost for the 2024 BMW i7 M70 worth it? We will leave you to decide as both models offer tremendous levels of comfort and performance.
At the time of writing, only the BMW I7 is available from the official BMW dealer in Cambodia.