Article Abstract
- The 2027 BMW 7 Sequence facelift will debut on April 22 along with the i7.
- Some wheel choices for the BMW i7 will use 70% secondary aluminum.
- Switching to Gen6 spherical battery cells will slash the CO2e footprint throughout the provision chain by a 3rd in comparison with prismatic cells.
BMW’s Neue Klasse philosophy isn’t restricted to next-generation {hardware} and software program wrapped in a contemporary design. It additionally extends to constructing vehicles extra sustainably to cut back the impression on our already fragile planet. Take the iX3, for instance. The electrical crossover makes use of secondary uncooked supplies for 33% of its weight. Sure, a full third of the car.
The primary modern-era Neue Klasse mannequin options wheels made with 70% secondary aluminum. Equally, the upcoming i7 facelift will use the identical proportion of recycled aluminum for sure wheel designs. This can embody a brand new two-tone set with a 5 double-spoke “V” design and Particular person branding. The scale isn’t specified, nevertheless it’s clearly on the bigger facet; we reckon at the least 21 inches.
The wheel-related inexperienced credentials don’t cease there, as BMW intends to make use of renewable vitality for rim manufacturing, together with the remaining 30% share of major aluminum. As anticipated, there’s no compromise on high quality: the upper share of secondary uncooked supplies delivers the identical requirements as earlier than.
Switching the i7 to spherical battery cells with Gen6 expertise can even scale back the automotive’s carbon footprint. BMW estimates the CO2e footprint throughout the provision chain shall be lower by 33%. This is applicable to the i7 60 xDrive in comparison with the pre-facelift i7 xDrive60 and its Gen5 prismatic cells. The corporate will use renewable vitality to provide the battery cells and procure the mandatory energetic supplies for the anode and cathode.
As beforehand revealed, Rimac is lending BMW a serving to hand with the batteries. Though the i7 facelift will stay on the CLAR platform, Rimac will help with integrating the 4695 lithium-ion cylindrical cells into the Gen5 module-based structure. Rimac will assemble the battery pack at its facility close to Zagreb earlier than transport it to Dingolfing, the one plant the place BMW builds the 7 Sequence.
BMW guarantees the 2027 i7 will cost “a lot sooner,” so anticipate most charging energy to exceed at the moment’s 195 kW. Nevertheless, it doubtless gained’t match the iX3’s large 400 kW, given the absence of an 800-volt structure. Just like the upcoming i3 sedan, its crossover sibling was developed from the bottom up on a devoted EV platform. In distinction, the i7 will use an developed model of CLAR, shared with combustion-engine 7 Sequence fashions.
One lacking piece of the puzzle issues the 750e and M760e. BMW hasn’t stated whether or not the plug-in hybrid 7 Sequence variants can even transition to spherical battery cells. We’ll discover out subsequent week when the 7 Sequence facelift premieres on the 2026 Beijing Auto Present in China.
We’re prone to see solely the BMW-badged G70 fashions at first, however the extra luxurious ALPINA G72 derivatives shouldn’t be far behind. And sure, ALPINA is reportedly making ready an i7, presumably a range-topping i7 70 xDrive primarily based on the i7 M70. Purists will undoubtedly have lots to say about an ALPINA that does away with combustion engines. Nevertheless, they shouldn’t fear as inline-six and V8 variations are additionally within the pipeline.
