BMW i7 M70 Unveiled With A 650 HP Motor And Up To 295 Miles Of Range

BMW’s electric lineup has a new top dog. The 2024 i7 M70 xDrive, debuting at the Shanghai auto show, will become BMW’s most powerful EV when it launches in the second half of this year.

The luxury sedan’s two electric motors combine for 650 horsepower, superseding the 536-hp i40 M50—which BMW says is the M division’s global best-seller—and 610-hp iX M60. The M-specific 483-hp rear unit will also become BMW’s most powerful electric motor. The battery has a capacity of 101.7 kwh and BMW estimates it will deliver an EPA-rated range of 295 miles. Charging capacity of up to 194 kw means charging from 10-80% using a DC fast charger can be done in a little over 30 minutes, the automaker claims.

Despite weighing 5,929 lbs (2,689 kg), the i7 M70 xDrive is BMW’s quickest and most powerful model in its all-electric range. In fact, it’s not only the quickest 7-Series on offer, bettering the M760e xDrive’s 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) sprint by 0.8 seconds, but its also more rapid than the newly-launched BMW XM Label Red too, BMW’s first standalone M model in 40 years.

Every model comes standard with an illuminated kidney grille, 21-inch Jet Black light alloy wheels with high-gloss inserts, and blue M Sport brake calipers. Buyers get the option of high-performance tires for the first time on the i7, but these come on 20-inch wheels and it isn’t clear if the range changes substantially with the diameter reduction. The M Performance Professional Package dresses the brake calipers in black, appends a black high-gloss grille surround, sculpted M side skirts, M logos with embellished borders on the fenders, M High-gloss Shadowline trim, black M exterior mirrors, a black M rear spoiler, black accent strip between the taillights, and a unique diffuser insert for the rear apron.

A standard two-axle air suspension with auto self-leveling and electronically controlled dampers will be standard. The i7 M70 features Integral Active Steering and Active Roll Stabilization, while a shear panel between the bulkhead and spring strut towers increases the sedan’s front-end rigidity.

The interior is enhanced with M logos and M-specific graphics for the interface. The infotainment interface is controlled by the latest version of BMW’s iDrive system (version 8.5), which features a customizable home screen where popular functions are arranged on a single level for quick and easy access.

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