BMW isn’t a stranger to electric vehicles as the i3 paved the way and the company has since introduced the i4 and iX.
They’ll soon be followed by the i7, which is an electric version of the next-generation 7-Series. The company has a lot riding on the sedan, so it comes as little surprise the model was recently seen being tested alongside a number of competitors.
Unsurprisingly, the Mercedes EQS was among them as it’s the i7’s direct competitor. However, that wasn’t the only model spotted outside BMW’s tech center in Munich as the car was also being compared to the Tesla Model Y and XPeng P7.
Also Read: 2023 BMW 7-Series And i7 Spied Testing Alongside Each Other
The Model Y seems like a strange choice as the Tesla Model S is the i7’s natural competitor, but it’s still reflective of the company’s products. It’s also interesting to see the XPeng P7 and it’s presence shows how important the Chinese market is to BMW’s electric ambitions.
Putting the other vehicles aside, this particular i7 isn’t very interesting as its heavily camouflaged and actually shows a little less skin than previous prototypes. That being said, we already know a bit about the model as previous reports have suggested the car will have a massive 120 kWh battery pack that may allow for a range of up to 435 miles (700 km).
Rumors have also hinted at a high-performance variant, which could have around 641 hp (478 kW / 650 PS). However, more recent reports have suggested that output might be conservative as a tri-motor setup might deliver up to 740 hp (552 kW / 750 PS). Of course, we can also expect more mainstream variants that presumably emphasize range and comfort over performance.
A lot of questions remain, but officials recently confirmed the 7-Series will be introduced next year and be offered with a Level 3 semi-autonomous driving system in certain markets.
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