BMW Explains Why The New 7 Series And The ‘i7’ Electric Version Are Nearly Identical

BMW explains why the new 7 Series and the ‘i7’ Electric version are nearly identical in styling.

In addition to sharing the same platform, the BMW i7 looks almost exactly like the new 7 Series.

Unlike BMW, its arch rival Mercedes-Benz took a different approach as the S-Class is unrelated to the EQS.

The EQS, the electric Mercedes-Benz S-Class, spots a different design and used a different architecture.

Last month, German automaker BMW debuted the all-new seventh-generation 7-Series, including the i7 xDrive60 electric version, that are set to reach the dealership in the spring of 2022.

In addition to sharing the same platform, the BMW i7 looks almost exactly like the new 7 Series ICE models in appearance. Speaking with Autoblog, BMW design boss Adrian van Hooydonk explained why they took the approach.

• See Also : Photos : Which Is Your Favorite – The New BMW 7-Series Or The Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

“That was a deliberate choice. We feel that electric mobility is going to happen but nobody knows how quickly. So, we felt that if we were to combine luxury and electric in one vehicle, that would be beneficial because, otherwise, in the near future we might force our customers to make an uncomfortable choice.

“Am I modern, do I want to go electric, or do I want a certain comfort and space?’ So, that’s almost an unfair decision that we don’t want our customers to make,” he told Autoblog on the sidelines of the Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance.

Unlike BMW, its arch rival, the Mercedes-Benz took a different approach as the S-Class is unrelated to the EQS, the electric S-Class, in terms of design and in terms of architecture.

But the i7 and 7-Series aren’t the only BMW that looks alike. The iX3 SUV based on the X3 and the i4 fastback sedan based on the 4 Series Gran Coupe are other examples.

• See Also : Get Into The New Range-topping BMW M760e xDRIVE (Video)