The BMW i7 gets tuned in the snow

Electric mobility continues to advance at BMW Group, and soon they will present the brand’s first fully electric saloon, the BMW i7. And since this model must be perfect in any situation, it has to go through several extreme weather tests. One of them has a lot to do with extreme cold, and at the winter test centre of BMW Group in Arjeplog, Sweden, functional tests are being carried out on an icy surface.

This circuit is located near the Arctic Circle, where engineers can find icy roads and snow-covered tracks that are used to test the suspension and the traction system. These systems are based on the design developed for the next generation of the BMW 7 Series saloon.

Icy tracks and extreme conditions

During runs on the icy tracks of Arjeplog, engineers can test and optimise all the vehicle’s functions to ensure everything works correctly, as expected from cars made by the Bavarian brand. The frozen lakes of this test centre allow, thanks to their low coefficient of friction, a very precise adjustment of the suspension system.

The steering and the many functions of the dynamic stability control system (DSC) are among the areas being worked on to ensure maximum precision. Another part that is watched very closely is the carefully regulated interaction between the hydraulic friction brake and the deceleration achieved through regenerative braking.

The technology used in the BMW i7 belongs to the fifth generation of the BMW eDrive system. This consists of the electric motor, the high-voltage battery, the power electronics and the charging technology, which have undergone significant evolution over recent years.

Under the extreme conditions found in Lapland, it is possible to check how the engine, the battery and the heating system of the model are affected. With the results obtained, the necessary adjustments can be made so that, wherever the BMW i7 goes, it will not present any problems due to weather conditions, whatever they may be.

Technical specifications of this car

SedanBMW i73 versions · from 116,000 €