First Look: BMW i7 xDrive 60 M Sport in Malaysia – From RM729K

The all-new BMW i7 EV saloon made its first public appearance in Malaysia today!

The BMW Group Malaysia’s ‘Forwardism, by BMW’ showcase today saw the all-new BMW i7 make its maiden public appearance in Malaysia. As the new all-electric flagship saloon from the marque, the i7 is said to represent the true testament to ‘Forwardism’, blending “innovation, visionary design, and sustainability seamlessly into the fabric of luxury and performance”.

Arriving in a sole xDrive 60 M Sport variant fully-imported (CBU) from BMW Group’s Dingolfing Plant in Germany, the new i7 features bold and striking design, with its front fascia dominated by the new large kidney grille design with signature illumination. Said grille is flanked by the Split BMW Iconic Glow LED headlights with Swarovski crystals.

In spite of its luxurious facade, the i7 gets a slew of sporty bits too, courtesy of the M Sport package

From the side, the i7 sports a conventional three-box sedan body style featuring an elongated front hood, while the rear comes with sleek LED taillights and pretty rugged rear bumper accents – the latter courtesy of the M Sport package. Speaking of M Sport, the i7 gets a slew of M Sports badges and parts, including on the front fenders, as well as the 19-inch M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels it rides on.

Things are more interesting as we get inside the i7’s cabin, featuring a perfect blend of luxury and hi-tech. For starters, all four doors of the i7 can be automatically opened via a button, while all four seats are wrapped in super-plush BMW Individual Merino leather. 

Complementing this plush material is Fineline black fine-wood veneers that are laced with M Signature high-gloss metal trims, while some parts are made from crafted Clarity crystal glass, including the power seat adjuster levers and gear shifter.

As for the tech bits, the front dash of the i7 features the latest BMW Live Cockpit Plus system with the BMW Curved Display that consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a larger 14.9-inch central infotainment screen. Both screens are powered by the latest BMW OS8 software, which includes wireless support for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – part of the Connected Package Professional.

As for the rear passengers, they will get a massive 31.3-inch BMW Theatre Screen courtesy of the Entertainment Professional package that folds down from the headliner, granting them access to several streaming contents like YouTube. Controlling the climates and massage functions for both rear seats are made easy thanks to the individual control panel placed on each of the rear doors’ armrests.

Topping-off the i7’s cabin tech list are the panoramic glass roof, multi-colour ambient lighting system, 21-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, wireless charging pad, automatic sun blinds for the rear windows, and many more.

As its name suggests, the i7 xDrive 60 M Sport is powered by a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup that delivers a total system output of 544 PS (400 kW) and 745 NM, allowing this full-size saloon to waft from nought to 100 KM/H in just 4.7 seconds. Juiced by a sizable 105.7-kWh battery pack, the i7 is good for up to 625 KM of maximum EV range, according to the WLTP cycle.

Underpinning the same CLAR platform as its ICE-powered twin, the i7 is equipped with a two-axle adaptive air suspension system that is mated to the Integral Active Steering rear-wheel steering system, ensuring better riding comfort without compromising on BMW’s signature driving dynamics.

BMW i7 xDrive 60 M Sport charged up using Gentari's mobile EV charger

Charging up the i7 should be a rather easy business, as the car supports DC fast charging at up to 195 kW – allowing it to be charged from 10% to 80% in 34 minutes. Meanwhile, the slower AC charging rate is capped to 11 kW, which can take about 9.5 hours to fully-charge this EV saloon.

Orders for the BMW i7 have been opened since June this year, with pricing starts from RM729,800 OTR

With order books opened for several months already, the all-new BMW i7 xDrive 60 M Sport starts at RM729,800 on-the-road sans insurance. Said price is inclusive of the BMW Group Malaysia’s Premium Ownership Experience perks, which includes a 5-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty with free scheduled services, along with the BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, BMW Group Loyalty+ App and Privileges Card, as well as access to BMW Service Online.

Those who are keen to check out the new i7 firsthand can visit the ‘Forwardism, by BMW’ showcase, happening beside the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur hotel from Sept 23 to 24.