BMW has given its flagship a serious refresh, and the new 7 Series now comes with everything from 400 bhp of petrol power to a monstrous 680 bhp electric M70.
BMW has launched the new 7 Series range in India, bringing together petrol and all-electric powertrains under its flagship luxury sedan. The new range also introduces the BMW i7 M70 xDrive, which, with 680 bhp and up to 1,100 Nm, becomes the most powerful 7 Series ever made.
The new 7 Series was unveiled in India by actor Ranveer Singh, who has also been introduced as BMW India’s new Brand Voice. More importantly for buyers, the new range continues BMW’s ‘Power of Choice’ approach, giving customers the option of sticking with a petrol engine or making the switch to electric.
Prices for the new range start at ₹1.95 crore, ex-showroom, for both the BMW 740 M Sport and BMW i7 eDrive50 xDrive M Sport. The range-topping i7 M70 xDrive is priced at ₹2.65 crore, ex-showroom. Deliveries are scheduled to begin from October 2026. There is another significant development for the i7. BMW India will now locally produce the new BMW i7 at its Chennai plant, making India only the second country after Germany to manufacture the electric flagship. The i7 M70 xDrive, however, will continue to arrive as a completely built-up unit.
Visually, the new 7 Series gets BMW’s latest luxury design language, combining a more monolithic appearance with elements from the Neue Klasse family. The front end is dominated by the illuminated BMW Iconic Glow Kidney Grille, while the optional BMW Individual crystal headlights use diamond-cut glass elements produced by Swarovski. The headlights also feature Adaptive LED technology, matrix high beam and a range of up to 600 metres. The side profile remains imposing but cleaner, with flush-fitting door handles and a new character line that runs from the front apron through the doors and towards the rear. The M Sport package adds more aggression to the flagship, bringing an M aerodynamics package, sportier bumpers, larger air intakes, black exterior detailing, M Sport brakes and 20-inch alloy wheels. The i7 M70 takes things further with its own M-specific styling, including darker Iconic Glow elements, smoked crystal headlights, black exterior accents, a wider rear diffuser and 21-inch M aerodynamic wheels. It is, in other words, the 7 Series equivalent of someone turning up to a board meeting wearing a very expensive pair of trainers.
Inside, the new 7 Series gets BMW’s latest Panoramic iDrive interface running on BMW Operating System X. The system combines BMW Panoramic Vision, a new 17.9-inch central display and a 14.6-inch passenger screen. The latter is a first for the 7 Series and allows the front passenger to access their own entertainment and functions without needing a separate BMW ID.
For passengers in the back, the 7 Series continues to pull out the big guns. The 31.3-inch 8K BMW Theatre Screen drops down from the roof, while the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with Dolby Atmos turns the rear cabin into something resembling a private cinema. Executive Lounge seating, automatic Soft Close doors, a Sky Lounge panoramic glass roof and extensive ambient lighting further reinforce the idea that this is a car designed to make being driven around feel like a perfectly acceptable use of one’s afternoon.
Under the bonnet, the BMW 740 gets a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine producing 400 bhp and 540 Nm. It can accelerate from 0-100 kph in 5.4 seconds and has a top speed of 250 kph. The electric i7 eDrive50 xDrive produces 455 bhp and 660 Nm, reaching 100kph in 5.5 seconds and offering a claimed 728km WLTP range from its 112.5 kWh battery. That represents an improvement of 125 km over the outgoing model. Then there is the i7 M70. Its dual-motor setup produces 680 bhp, with 1,015 Nm in Sport mode and up to 1,100 Nm with Launch Control or Sport Boost. The result is a 0-100 kph time of just 3.8 seconds, a 250 kph top speed and a 686k m WLTP range.
Charging the i7 from 10-80 percent on a 250 kW DC charger takes 28 minutes, while a 22 kW AC charger can take the battery from empty to full in around six hours. BMW India will also provide a complimentary Wallbox charger with installation for the i7 and i7 M70. With petrol power, long-range electric versions and an M Performance flagship that can embarrass plenty of sports cars in a straight line, the new 7 Series is clearly trying to cover every possible interpretation of modern luxury. And judging by those numbers, BMW still thinks the best way to arrive is with a little bit of drama.
