Passing through Palm Springs in California, the journalist from Car Guide Gabriel Gélinas made a first contact with the BMW i7 2023, the new 100% electric luxury sedan from the Bavarian manufacturer.
On the mountainous roads of the region, Gabriel was able to test the handling as well as the technologies found on board. “What is remarkable: even if the car is very heavy, you don’t feel the weight behind the wheel. It is very well balanced thanks to the almost ideal weight distribution,” emphasizes Gabriel.
According to him, the sedan behaves adequately on winding roads. “On the chassis side, this BMW runs on adaptive air suspensions and our test vehicle is fitted with 21-inch rims,” he adds. In addition, maneuverability is increased thanks to the directional wheels at the rear.
Photo: Uwe Fischer
A huge battery
“The battery size is 107 kWh, so it’s a pretty big battery. Autonomy is calculated, according to the EPA, at 318 miles – which is equivalent to 511 kilometers”, mentions the journalist.
Regenerative braking has several levels of intensity, but what caught our expert’s eye was the Adaptive mode. When the latter is engaged, the car chooses the power of regeneration by itself.
Photo: Uwe Fischer
Cutting-edge technologies
Equipped with semi-autonomous driving, the system monitors the driver’s gaze, in order to analyze the latter’s attention. But, funny fact, the technology does not make it possible to follow the eyes if the pilot wears smoked glasses.
Photo: Uwe Fischer
Moreover, since it is an electric, the bearing is silent. In this sense, BMW has worked together with music composer Hans Zimmer to produce unique sound effects, especially during acceleration maneuvers.
By checking for the Theater Screen option – a 31.1-inch screen with 8K resolution – passengers will be treated to a real home theater. Gabriel mentions, however, that rear visibility, once the monitor is deployed, is significantly reduced.
For more details, watch the video capsule at the top of this article.