BMW India has decided to surprise us all with two new additions to the 7 Series lineup. Up first is the i7 M70, which is not only the first M-spec electric BMW, but also the most powerful EV from the Bavarian carmaker yet. Priced at Rs 2.50 crore (ex-showroom), the BMW i7 M70 costs a whopping Rs 55 lakh more than the standard i7. Meanwhile the 740d M Sport variant can be had from Rs 1.81 crore onwards, competing against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the Audi A8 L.
BMW i7 M70
The most powerful EV from BMW yet, the i7 M70 is powered by two electric motors, generating 650 bhp and 103.5 kgm of torque. The i7 M70 gets special treatment to differentiate itself from the regular i7. The signature kidney grille is finished in black and receives an M logo. It also receives M-spec side skirts, bumpers, black ORVMs, and M logos on the front flanks. At the rear, it gets an M-spec black spoiler, along with black treatment on the tail-lamps and on the bumper. The overall body receives dual-tone paint treatment and it rides on 21-inch M Light alloy wheels.
The interiors of the BMW i7 M70 are upholstered in full Merino leather, retaining the overall layout from the standard i7 such as the presence of the 31.3-inch theatre screen, the smartphone-like touch screen panels in the rear doors, the BMW Curved Display screen housing the instrument cluster and infotainment system. However, M-specific bits such as the M leather steering wheel, optional M Merino leather trim in the shades of either black or grey, M door sills, and an M driver footrest help it in differentiating the i7 M70 from the regular i7. The BMW Curved Display further gets M specific content to add to the differentiation. Other features on the i7 M70 include M launch control, sport boost function, automatic soft open/closing function for the doors, a 36-speaker Bowers and Wilkins diamond surround sound system, lounge seating with massage and ventilation function, the iconic sounds package by Hans Zimmer, adaptive two-axle air suspension, four-zone climate control, and an ADAS suite among others. The BMW i7 M70 has the Mercedes-AMG EQS in its sights, and we believe this might make for a really interesting contest.
BMW 740d M Sport
The second offering is the BMW 740d M Sport, which is powered by a 3-litre twin-turbo diesel engine, with 281 bhp and 66.2 kgm of torque. The diesel 7 Series receives a 48v mild-hybrid system, and it will be locally assembled in Chennai, unlike the M70 that is being brought in as a CBU. The 7 Series diesel receives the same kidney grille with illuminated borders, along with the crystal headlight setup.
The rest of the design and the interiors are identical to that of the standard 7 Series petrol that is already on offer here, with features such as the theatre screen, the smartphone-like panels in the doors, soft-closing doors, the Bowers and Wilkins sound system, and ADAS features such as driver attention alert, remote parking assistant, roll stabilization, cruise control, and cornering brake control among others. Prices for the BMW 740d M Sport begin from Rs 1.81 crore (ex-showroom), competing primarily against the Audi A8 L and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
