BMW i7 M70: flagship EV limo revealed as brand’s torquiest-ever sedan

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BMW has turned things up a notch with its electric 7-Series – the i7 – revealing that it will produce a high performance variant called the M70 xDrive. 

Powered by dual electric motors that produce 550kW working together – and a brand-record 1100Nm of torque – the i7 M70 xDrive can sprint to 100km/h in a claimed 3.7 seconds – an impressive feat for a 2770kg luxury limousine. 

The system uses a large rear electric motor that produces 360kW, plus a smaller 190kW front motor to create a dual-motor AWD system.

The i7 M70 represents a significant 37 percent power boost over the already-available 400kW/745Nm i7 xDrive60 model ($306,900 before on-road costs). 

Expected battery range for the M70 xDrive is said to be between 488-560km (WLTP) thanks to a large 101.7kWh usable battery pack. That compares to 590km (WLTP) for the xDrive60 variant.

The worldwide launch of the i7 M70 xDrive is scheduled for the second half of 2023, with Australia likely to receive the variant. 

What’s significant about the i7 M70 xDrive?

In effect, the i7 M70 takes over the role of the previous-generation BMW M760Li as the flagship of the BMW lineup.

But where the M760Li was powered by a turbocharged petrol V12 engine, the i7 M70 sees BMW shift flagship propulsion to the all-electric arena.

The new M70 xDrive variant of the BMW i7 range currently holds its position as the equal-most powerful electric vehicle built by BMW, sharing its 550kW peak output with the recently-confirmed BMW XM Label Red plug-in hybrid SUV. 

The electric BMW iX M60 SUV comes close with outputs of 455kW/1100Nm.

The M70 xDrive features an M Sport boost function that can deliver up to 1100Nm of torque when selected. 

Even though it’s electric, drivers will have the full sound experience, too, thanks to a soundtrack orchestrated by Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer. 

A new ‘max range’ mode has been added which BMW claims can increase range by as much as 25 percent. 

The M70 variant gains M-specific adaptive air suspension, automatic self-levelling, active steering and active roll stabilisation to aid ride comfort and handling. 

On the styling front, the i7 M70 gains an optional illuminated kidney grille, M design side skirts, M logos and side panels, as well as a unique two-tone paint finish. 

A BMW curved display is standard which runs BMW’s operating system eight and is topped off with M sport graphics and screens, just in case you forget what you have purchased. 

Although unconfirmed for now, the new i7 M70 xDrive could cost more than $350,000, considering that the xDrive60 variant in Australia currently costs $306,900 before on-road costs.