BMW i7 M70 xDrive, new version of the German electric car presented in Shanghai

The Shanghai Motor Show has opened its doors and many brands are presenting new products there, among them BMW, with very interesting announcements since China is precisely a very important market for what they have in mind for their stand. Among them is the new BMW i7 M70 xDrive, a model that arrives to inject the electric saloon with high doses of sportiness.

It was last summer when the German brand began selling the BMW i7 in Spain, which will now benefit from the new M70 xDrive version that arrives with the direct signature of BMW M. This seal from the sporting division of BMW will be noticeable in various details, both on the exterior and the interior, as it could not be otherwise, but also in the electric powertrain that drives this luxury saloon of high aspirations.

Despite being a luxury saloon with an elegant design, BMW M has managed to imprint its style without losing an ounce of elegance, something reflected, for example, in a front end where the contour lines of the grille can be combined for the first time with the high-gloss black frame of the M Performance package, to which we must add a new bumper incorporating large lateral air intakes.

In the side view of the BMW i7 M70 xDrive we can also see mirrors and side skirts signed by BMW M, not forgetting the specific M alloy wheels in 21-inch size. At the rear, the changes focus on a new lower part of the bumper which includes the diffuser, although it can be further enhanced if the M Performance package is fitted, as we will also add a discreet rear spoiler and black trim on the rear skirt. For the bodywork, there will be a wide variety of shades to choose from, including more than 100 special BMW Individual paints.

In the interior of the BMW i7 M70 xDrive, the level of luxury, comfort and technology of the rest of the range is in no way compromised, but to this we must add elements specific to the M package, such as the leather-upholstered steering wheel, footrest, illuminated door sills and specific indicators for the BMW Curved Display screen. If we want to further intensify the sporty atmosphere inside, we can opt for the BMW Individual Interior package with nine colour variants and, optionally, M inserts in carbon fibre finish with silver filaments in combination with Piano Finish Black surfaces.

On the technology front, the BMW i7 M70 xDrive uses the improved BMW iDrive system with “QuickSelect” quick selection as well as the BMW 8.5 operating system. The brand has also taken the opportunity to optimise the BMW Maps navigation system, now with improved calculation of routes optimised for charging.

Mechanically, the hearts of the BMW i7 M70 xDrive are a front motor generating 258 CV together with 365 Nm of torque, while the rear motor generates 489 CV and 650 Nm of torque, resulting in a combined output of no small measure of 660 CV and an enormous torque of 1,100 Nm sent to all four wheels thanks to the xDrive system. All this power allows it to accelerate to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 250 km/h.

It features a 101.70 kWh lithium-ion battery that allows a range of 560 kilometres under the WLTP test cycle, which can be recharged at electrical outlets of up to 22 kW in alternating current (AC) and up to 195 kW in direct current (DC), which would mean gaining 170 kilometres of range in just 10 minutes. It also has the “Max Range” function, which increases range by between 15% and 25%, although this is achieved by selectively limiting power and top speed while reducing comfort features.

For the time being, BMW has not revealed the price of the i7 M70 xDrive; we will have to wait a little longer, as the brand has confirmed that its launch will not take place until sometime in the second half of this year.

Technical specifications of this car

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