2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 Pure Excellence Review: An Eye For An i
Ben Chia
16/12/2022
Driving Experience
You can spend an eternity getting lost exploring all the wonders of the i7’s interior, but eventually you’ll have to get behind the wheel. And while you’ll expect an electric car to be silent, the i7 seems to take it up to another level. There are various noises you can activate based on the different selectable driving modes available, but for regular driving the sheer absolute silence is hugely impressive, and perhaps even slightly disconcerting, as it makes you feel a tad isolated from the world outside.
On the go the i7 does what a good limo does, which is to trundle along in comfort. The air suspension soaks up the bumps incredibly well, and despite its size, the car actually feels relatively easy to drive, perhaps aided by the four wheel steering system that gives the car a semblance of litheness and agility when going round corners.
Powering the i7 are a pair of electric motors, one at each axle, that combine to produce a total of 544hp and 745Nm of torque, and they give the car plenty of oomph to get you shuttling along effortlessly. Its behaves as you’d expect a large limo to behave, which is with restraint and decorum, and while you can pick up a fair rate of speed in this car, you’ll never feel like you’re being a hooligan when you’re behind the wheel.
The 101.7kWh battery gives the car a claimed 625km of range, at an efficiency rate of 19.7kWh/100km. Based on our previous experiences with BMW’s electric offerings, the figures are eminently achievable, and could even be a tad conservative. But even if you decide to drive it like a madman and drain out all the energy most inefficiently, you’ll still probably get at least 400km out of it easy.
Which is no mean feat given the car’s size and weight, and it goes to show how much engineering effort BMW have poured into this car. It doesn’t come cheap of course, with the i7 costing a whopping S$612,888 with COE, but for the money you get a tech-laden ultra luxury limo that offers a truly unique motoring experience. It looks like nothing else on the road too, but that only serves to underline the i7’s position as a car that truly takes luxury to an all-new level.
BMW i7 xDrive60 Pure Excellence
| Drivetrain | Full electric |
| Electric Motor / Layout | Dual / Front-Rear |
| Motor Power / Torque | 544hp / 745Nm |
| Battery Type / Capacity | Lithium-ion, 101.7kWh |
| Standard Charge Time / Type | 5.5 hours / 22kW AC |
| Fast Charge Time / Type | 34 minutes 10 to 80 percent / 195kW DC |
| Electric Range | Up to 625km (WLTP) |
| 0-100km/h | 4.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 240km/h (limited) |
| Efficiency | 19.7kWh/100km |
| VES Band | A2 / -S$15,000 |
| Agent | Performance Motors Limited or BMW Eurokars Auto |
| Price | S$612,888 including COE |
| Availability | Now |
| Verdict: | The i7 takes luxury to new heights with its fancy tech and all-round opulence, but styling needs some getting used to |
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About the Author
Ben Chia
CarBuyer's print editor went out to explore the Great Big World, including a stint working in China (despite his limited Mandarin). Now he's back, ready to foist upon you his takes on everything good and wonderful about the automotive world. Follow Ben on Instagram @carbuyer.ben
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