Daring i7 M70 debuts as BMW’s most powerful non-M road car ever

Although it debuted the current i7 xDrive 60 as the direct replacement for the M760Li xDrive earlier this year, BMW sprung a surprise at the recent Shanghai Auto Show by taking the covers off of the most powerful 7 Series derived model it has ever produced, the i7 xDrive M70.

Due to go on-sale in the second half of this year, the M70 not only rates as most powerful 7 Series ever made, but also eclipses the recently revealed XM Red Label from a torque perspective.

Power of EV

Showcased in Shanghai in a new dual-tone colour option called Liquid Copper Metallic contrasted with the roof, bonnet, upper sections of the doors and bootlid in Saphire Black, the M70 retains the dual axle electric motor setup from the M60, albeit with a considerable uptake in grunt from the unit mounted on the rear.

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Compared to the front that delivers an unchanged 190 kW, the rear now produces 335 kW, a jump of 105 kW, for a combined output of 485kW/1 015Nm. It doesn’t stop there though as the latter increases to 1 100 Nm when in M Launch Control mode and with the so-called M Sport Boost function activated.

The end result is that the i7 xDrive M70 will get from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 250 km/h despite weighing 2 689 kg.

In spite of the power kick, and the 101.7-kWh battery being carried over from the M60, the M70 doesn’t travel further on a single charge than its sibling, with BMW claiming a range of 472 km versus 510 km.

Range maxed

Like the M60 though, the M70 can be charged from a rapid charging station outputting 195 kW, which, after 10 minutes, allows for a range of 170 km. The claimed waiting time from 10-80% is said to take 34 minutes.

New to the M70 is a so-called Max Range function that blocks out certain features as a means of battery and range conservation.

At the same time, top speed is limited to 90 km/h and the climate control inoperable, along with the heated seats, steering wheel and rear window.

Building on the polarising

With the exception of its mentioned dual colour scheme, the M70 receives a number of other visual enhancement to distinguish itself from the M60 equipped with the M Sport Pro package.

These include 21-inch high gloss M alloy wheels with Jet Black inserts, blue M Sport brake calipers, the mentioned M Sport Pro pack as standard, a black bootlid spoiler, the gloss Shadowline exterior pack, a black strip between the taillights, M badges, black mirror caps and a black finish on the rear apron.

Forgoing the two-tone option for a mono-tone reveals further differences from the M60, namely a gloss black kidney grille with the Iconic Glow illuminated surround as an option, wider air vents and the option of 20-inch alloys wrapped in what BMW calls high performance tyres.

Inside

While available in a series of colours and with materials ranging from carbon fibre to piano key black inserts and wood veneers inside, the M70’s interior differs slightly from the M60 by way of an M steering wheel, M readouts with the Curved Display, illuminated M door sills and M seats trimmed in black Merino leather as standard.

Besides this, items such the Interaction Bar, the Augmented Reality camera and 31.8-inch drop-down Theatre Screen are all carried over, along with the reclining Lounge rear seats, the 5.5-inch control displays integrated into the doors and the 36-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system developed in conjunction with legendary Hollywood sound composer, Hans Zimmer.

Underneath

Being an M Performance model though means that apart from power, the M70 has also received several changes underneath its polarising suit in the form of a M specific tune for the adaptive two-axle air suspension, revised steering, dampers and stability control, plus a reduction in volume for the air springs.

The final adaptions consist of improved rigidity between the front bulkhead and spring strut towers, as well as the mentioned brakes that have bigger discs, but are not from the carbon ceramic variety.

South Africa waiting

Like the standard 7 Series and i7 xDrive M60, production of the M70 will take place at BMW’s Dingolfing Plant in Germany with pricing to be announced later.

For now, it remains unconfirmed as to whether BMW South Africa will bring the M70 to market, but should it materialise, expect sales to commence before the end of 2023.

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