BMW has officially introduced the i7 M70 xDrive, the brand’s fastest electric vehicle.
Earlier this year, the automaker released the BMW i7, their first flagship electric sedan, but no one expected there’s going to be a version of that car that will carry the title of their fastest vehicle. The new i7 is a 5.39-meter sedan that weighs well over 3 tonnes but still manages to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, making it faster than even its smaller M performance division siblings.
BMW’s used its most powerful electric motor in the new i7 M70 xDrive. The power density of the rear-axle motor has been raised by 25.5 percent over the unit found in the predecessor, i7 xDrive60. The rear engine produces 483 horsepower, which when paired with the 255-hp front-axle motor gives the EV a total output of 650 horsepower in all-wheel drive.
In Sport mode, the powertrain generates 748 pound-feet of torque. When the driver selects the M Sport Boost or M Launch Control modes, this jumps to 811 lb-ft. All these systems come together to make the incredible acceleration possible, however, BMW has electronically limited the top speed to 155 mph.
The battery pack on the i7 M70 xDrive provides 101.7 kilowatt hours of usable energy from its 105.7 kilowatt-hour capacity. Based on the US EPA’s test process, this provides the EV an estimated range of up to 295 miles. It has 11-kW AC charging and up to 195 kW of DC power, allowing it to full up the battery from 10% to 80% in a mere 34 minutes.
The i7 M70 also comes with BMW’s new Max Range mode, which limits the car’s top speed to 56 mph and inhibits comfort features like climate control and heated seats to optimize range in an emergency. BMW created the option for emergency situations, such as rerouting to a different charging station.
The i7 will come standard with a two-axle air suspension with auto self-leveling and electronically adjustable dampers for added comfort.
For the first time, BMW will offer optional high-performance tires wrapped around 20-inch rims on the i7.
The i7 will be offered in eight two-tone variations and over 100 BMW Individual paint colors, with M-specific design elements such as side skirts, emblems, and more.
