BMW 7 Series (G70)
G70 is the internal designation for the seventh generation of the BMW 7 Series, a range of Full-size luxury cars produced by the German luxury vehicle manufacturer BMW since July 2022.
Introduced in April 2022, "7 Series" and "i7" serve as the respective designations to the automaker's full-size luxury flagship models in internal combustion and battery electric configurations. BMW had unveiled the model on 20 April 2022 during the nameplate's 45th anniversary. Sold onwards as a 2023 model, it is longer than its predecessor model. This model offers petrol and diesel models, come standard with a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain; a plug-in hybrid system is available. The seventh-generation BMW 7 Series is often collectively referred to as the G70.
The G70 commenced production on 1 July 2022, exactly seven years after the previous model. The i7 is the first 7 Series to offer a fully electric powertrain, which shares powertrains with the smaller G60 i5. Both 7 Series and i7 offer optional rear- or all-wheel drive drivetrains. The V12 model is no longer offered, instead getting replaced by the M760e plug-in hybrid.
Development
Development of the G70 commenced in 2017 when BMW began conceiving ideas on how they would replace the G11 / G12. Design concepts had been received from design centres in the United States, Europe and Asia. In 2020, the automaker had announced that diesel models would be carried over, as well as an announcing an electric variant, called the "i7", would be available. The model was spied testing in October 2021, which was the same month that BMW CEO of development Frank Weber had announced the G70 and the G60 would both optionally offer Level 3 autonomous driving. Weber had also made plans for the iX to also offer self-driving. On 4 February 2022, the 7 Series was seen testing again, while on the 22nd, the 7 Series had undergone acoustic testing as a pre-production model.The 7 Series was unveiled on 20 April 2022, with a headlight design reminiscent to those of the X7 facelift.
The G70 7 Series is offered with petrol, plug-in hybrid, diesel, and battery electric powertrains, with the latter being marketed as the i7. A V12 petrol engine option is no longer offered. The vehicle is longer, wider and taller compared to the previous generation long-wheelbase model. China is expected to account for 45 per cent of 7 Series sales. Unlike previous generations, BMW will offer only one length of the G70.
The G70 is built upon the rear-wheel drive based Cluster Architecture platform shared with the smaller G60 5 Series. This platform was used on the previous model and underpins vehicle that feature a longitudinally mounted combustion engine or a fully-electric drivetrain.
Markets
Europe
In Europe, the initial range only consisted of the i7. Internal combustion versions were available at a later date: the 740d xDrive with a B57 3.0-litre turbo six-cylinder outputting, along with the 750e xDrive and M760e xDrive plug-in hybrid models. The M760e xDrive is the successor to the V12-powered M760Li.North America
In North America, three trims are available for its late 2022 introduction, including the electric i7 xDrive60, and the internal combustion 740i and 760i xDrive, both equipped with 48 V mild hybrid systems. In 2023, BMW had announced that the 750e xDrive, eDrive50, and M70 had joined the lineup for the 2024 model year.Asia
Thailand
In Thailand, three trims are available for its November 2022 introduction, including the i7 xDrive60 in 3 models: M Sport, M Sport First Edition, and the range-topping M Sport Gran Lusso. The internal combustion variant with plug-in hybrid model is the 750e xDrive M Sport CKD, introduced in 2023.Malaysia
In Malaysia, three variants are available which are the fully electric i7 xDrive60 M Sport, the 750e xDrive Pure Excellence and the 750e xDrive M Sport. The two 750e variants are locally assembled.Indonesia
In Indonesia, two variants are available which are the 735i M Sport and i7 xDrive60 Gran Lusso. The 735i M Sport is locally assembled, while the i7 xDrive60 Gran Lusso comes from Germany.Presentation
Design and suspension
On the front, the G70 incorporates what the brand calls "Iconic Glow", which is BMW's iconic kidney grille that will optionally light up at night to create a kidney effect. The unit features Swarovski crystals as headlamps, which are backlit by fourteen individual LEDs on each side of the vehicle. Unlike the previous model, the G70 aligns the daytime running lamps towards the top of the grille, while a separate panel unit contains the low and high beams positioned towards the middle of the grille, but not connected to it. M Sport models feature a lower front bumper in a contrast colour to the rest of its body, which allowed BMW to add distinct front wheels which creates a more aggressive design compared to its standard specification. Its side profile continues in a familiar way of the front, by keeping its characteristic lines to a minimum. A shoulder line below the glass connects from the daytime running lamps to the edge of the taillights. The Hofmeister kink, an element characteristic of BMW vehicles since the 1950s is placed on the window of the G70. Monotone paint is standard, however two-tone paint is available.The i7's drag coefficient is rated at 0.24 Cd, while on ICE models it increases to 0.26 due to engine cooling. As standard, the G70 features double wishbone aluminium suspension at the front, while it features Integral-V multi-link aluminium rear suspension. The G70 additionally features adaptive air suspension, active anti-roll bars, and adaptive dampers. The G70 also features all-wheel steering with up to 3.5 degrees of turning angle and a smaller turning circle of at low speeds. The "Executive Drive Pro" package is available and adds Active Roll Stabilisation and Active Roll Comfort. Unlike its predecessor, the G70 fails to maintain a perfect 50:50 weight distribution, instead has a 49:51 distribution for the base model, and 45:55 for the 760i variant.
A Pure Excellence design package is available and adds chrome exterior elements and grey brake calipers. The M Sport package offers M Sport Pro package adds M Sport brakes with black gloss calipers, black gloss rear spoiler, an individual high-gloss shadow line on the grille frame and struts, and rear apron trim. The M Performance package adds high-gloss grille surrounds and grille struts, M Sport brakes and a high-gloss black rear spoiler.
Interior and equipment
The G70 receives the "BMW Live Cockpit" setup, which combines a digital instrument cluster with a BMW's Curved Display for the infotainment touchscreen, which both run BMW iDrive 8, the newest iteration of BMW's infotainment system. The G70 also features navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ radio, over-the-air updating, and a range of third-party apps as well as in-car gaming. Additionally, a head-up display with different views is standard. Optional on the 7 Series is a large, 8,000-pixel "Theatre Screen". When being used, this display can stream movies and shows from Amazon Fire TV via the eSIM connection, or a device can be hooked up via an HDMI cable to stream any show. A camera is standard on the screen, which can stream meetings or video calls while in the vehicle. Buyers may subscribe to other streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu and Max. Additional luxuries include heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, heated surface, front centre console armrest, front seat ventilation, front seat massage function, quad-zone climate control, and BMW's Panoramic Glass Roof Sky Lounge.The BMW ConnectedDrive system features Intelligent Emergency Call, BMW TeleServices, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, Remote Software Update, and Remote Services. The G70 features multi-functional seats, with front electric adjustment with lumbar, electric adjustment of headrests, and a memory function. Six USB-C sockets are featured, as well as four 12-volt power sockets.
The 7 Series models feature a 655-watt, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system as standard, with a 1965-watt, 35-speaker "Diamond" Surround system with 4D technology optional. Multiple BMW models from 2022 feature the "Rear Lounge" package, which allows the rear-left passenger to recline their chair. Heating, ventilation, as well as massaging functions come with this package. These are all controlled by touchscreens integrated into the doors.
For the first time on a 7 Series, select models are available in a leather-free configuration. This 7 Series generation features perforated Veganza leather trim covering the seats, dashboard, and steering wheel. The synthetic material offers improved haptics and optimises climate assets. The Veganza leather is available in colours consisting Black, Black with Burgundy, Cognac, and Mocha.
The 7 Series features airbags for the driver, front passenger, two on the curtain, drivers side, front passenger side, and front center. The 7 Series and i7 feature the Driving Assistant as standard, which adds adaptive cruise control with the Stop & Go system, lane change warning, lane departure warning, both front and rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision prevention, road exit warning, Steering and Lane Control Assistant, automatic Speed limit assist, invasion assistant, Front Brake Intervention, and forward collision warning.
This model also features a boot/trunk of, while plug-in hybrid models have a space of due to electrical components such as the battery and motor. Wheel sizes range from 19- to 21-inches.
BMW Personal Pilot L3 is available for the 7 Series in Germany starting March 2024.