Coming to SA: Updated BMW 7 Series revealed and confirmed
A German marque has whipped the wraps off its thoroughly updated 7 Series, while the local arm announced when it is expected to arrive in SA.
Taking a leaf out of BMW’s modern Neue Klasse book, the revised 7 Series represents the most extensive model update the firm has ever carried out, the German marque says. The thoroughly updated current-generation 7 Series was unveiled with a selection of powertrains. The latter includes diesel (740d xDrive) and petrol (740 xDrive), plug-in hybrid (PHEV; 750e, M760e xDrive), and all-electric (i7 50 xDrive, i7 60 xDrive, i7 M70 xDrive).
The sole diesel variant in the lineup, the 740d xDrive’s 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbocharged oil-burner, replete with 48V mild-hybrid tech, churns out 210kW and 650Nm of torque – the latter available from a low 1 500r/min. Power is delivered to the road via BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 740d xDrive completes the 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 5.7 seconds. The top speed is electronically governed to 250km/h. BMW claims an average fuel consumption of 6.5L/100km.
The 740 xDrive employs a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-pot producing 294kW and 540Nm — the latter available in a broad 1 980-5 000r/min swathe of the rev band. An eight-speed automatic delivers drive to all four wheels. According to BMW, the 740 xDrive dispatches the 0-100km/h dash in 5.1 seconds, before reaching an electronically limited 250km/h. The petrol-only unit, which incorporates 48V mild-hybrid tech, has a claimed average fuel consumption of 8.3L/100km.
SA launch date
BMW has announced the updated 7 Series is expected to launch in SA in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Image: BMW
The PHEV powertrain lineup kicks off with the 750e, which pairs a 230kW/450Nm 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbopetrol internal combustion engine (ICE) with a single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor — the latter producing 145kW and 280Nm. The 750e produces combined system outputs of 360kW and 700Nm, delivered to the rear axle via an eight-speed auto ’box. The 750e’s 18.7kWh (net) lithium-ion battery pack offers a claimed electric-only operating range of up to 82km. BMW claims an average combined fuel consumption of 5.0L/100km. The 0-100km/h sprint is completed in a claimed 4.8 seconds.
The M760e xDrive’s PHEV setup comprises the same ICE, here tuned to produce 313kW and 540Nm, and electric motor as its 750e sibling. Thanks to its uprated six-pot, the M760e xDrive produces combined power and torque outputs of 450kW and 800Nm – good for a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.2 seconds. BMW claims an electric-only operating range of up to 80km and combined fuel consumption of 5.6L/100km.
- Also read: BMW i3 SA launch date confirmed
Image: BMW
The i7 lineup kicks off with the 50 xDrive, which features a duo of electric motors producing 190kW/365Nm and 230kW/400Nm, front and rear, respectively. The 50 xDrive is endowed with combined system outputs of 335kW and 660Nm. According to BMW, these figures allow for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.5 seconds. The 50 xDrive’s 112.5 kWh (net) lithium-ion battery offers a claimed range of 728km on a full charge.
The i7 60 xDrive produces combined system outputs of 400kW and 745Nm — good for a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds. BMW claims an operating range of up to 727km.
Spearheading the i7 lineup, the M70 xDrive’s dual electric-motor arrangement produces a combined system output of 500kW and 1 015Nm. BMW says these figures allow the most powerful i7 to complete the 0-100km/h dash in 3.8 seconds. The M70 xDrive has a claimed operating range of up to 686km.
Measuring 5 395mm in length, the updated 7 Series’ monolithic bodywork is 4mm longer than the outgoing model. It stands slightly taller, too — 1 550 vs 1 544mm. The width and wheelbase remain unchanged, at 1 950 and 3 215mm, respectively.
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