Next BMW 7-Series Will Be Available With Electric Or ICE Powertrains (Probably No V12)
For the next 7-series, choice will be king. During BMW’s annual accounts press conference on Wednesday, it was confirmed that the flagship saloon - expected to arrive in 2022 - will be available with petrol, diesel, hybrid and all-electric powertrain options.
It’s part of a wider strategy that’ll see BEVs and more conventionally-powered products sitting on the same platforms. The EV version of the 7-series won’t be unique in the market, though - it’ll have to compete with both the incoming Mercedes EQS and Jaguar’s electric XJ.
It was also noted that the most powerful version of the next 7 will be one of the electric derivatives, which as good as confirms that the current V12-powered M760Li won’t be replaced. Not that we’re surprised - BMW called the future of the 6.6-litre engine into question not so long ago. But a V8? That could still happen, although BMW may decide that a similarly powerful hybridised inline-six is a better bet amid tightening emissions regulations.
Inevitably, the Coronavirus was a prominent theme of the conference. BMW, like all car companies, is weathering the economic storm caused by the pandemic and efforts to contain it. Munich has announced the closure of factories across Europe and in South Africa.
Chairman of the board Oliver Zipse said that BMW Group “fully supports the measures aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus”. On a more positive note, Zipse said that “we have to think about the time after Corona - BMW Group is a company that thinks in the long-term”.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Makes sense. Tesla, Porsche and Jaguar showed that luxury EVs make a lot of sense
The Tesla model S isn’t really a competitor to the XJ or the 7 series though. The Tesla, although nice, is not really a luxury vehicle
So… i7 or 7-series i?
i7 is already trademarked by Intel. Then again, so is i3 and BMW didn’t care about that either.
Dindn’t BMW say that they would keep the V12 until 2023? If so then there’s still hope that the early next gen model might have one. If it is the last V12 BMW then it REALLY needs to look good to give it a proper send off.
It wouldn’t make sense to build the v12 only for a short amount of time in a new model
The v12 is pretty much dead, I would guess
They will probaly keep manufacturing the V13, but that doesn’t mean it has to be in any model vehicle they sell.
Don’t act surprised, it’s not the first time BMW has said something and then did the exact opposite.
Ok.