The facelifted BMW i7 features Gen6 cells sourced from Rimac, offers a range exceeding 350 miles, and replaces Level 3 with a more affordable Symbiotic Drive.

      Summary: BMW launched the refreshed 2027 i7 simultaneously at Grand Central Terminal and Auto China, featuring Gen6 cylindrical cells from Rimac, rare-earth-free motors with SiC inverters, and 250 kW charging capabilities. The i7 60 xDrive aims for over 350 miles EPA and 728 km WLTP; the i7 50 achieves 611 km, while the M70 targets 686 km. BMW has abandoned Level 3 autonomous driving in favor of the more affordable Level 2 Symbiotic Drive system, and revamped the interior with a Panoramic Vision display, an 8K Theatre Screen, and Operating System X.

      On Tuesday, BMW unveiled the revamped 2027 i7 at both Grand Central Terminal in New York and Auto China in Beijing, labeling it “one of the brand’s most significant unveilings in a generation.” The core innovation is a battery developed in collaboration with Rimac Technology, which utilizes BMW’s sixth-generation cylindrical cells for the first time outside the dedicated Neue Klasse platform, along with a charging system that now delivers 250 kilowatts, an increase from 195. The i7 60 xDrive boasts a usable capacity of 112.5 kilowatt-hours, up from 101.7, with a projected EPA range exceeding 350 miles and up to 728 kilometers on the WLTP cycle. The entry-level i7 50 xDrive achieves 611 kilometers WLTP, while the performance-focused i7 M70 xDrive aims for 686 kilometers. A ten-minute charge at a compatible DC fast charger provides up to 146 miles of WLTP range, while charging from 10% to 80% takes 28 minutes.

      These figures are essential as the i7 has previously represented the weakest element in BMW’s electric strategy. Starting at over $120,000, it struggled to match the range of a Tesla Model S, which costs significantly less. The introduction of the Gen6 battery and collaboration with Rimac serves as BMW's response, coinciding with the growing traction of European EV brands against Tesla, which saw a nearly 60% decline in registrations in Germany in early 2025.

      The Rimac battery is the centerpiece of the technical enhancements. BMW's Gen6 cells feature the 4695 cylindrical design, measuring 46 millimeters in diameter and 95 millimeters tall, replacing the older Gen5 prismatic cells in the previous i7 model. This new cylindrical format provides approximately 20% greater volumetric energy density, enabling BMW to enhance usable capacity by over 10% without altering the battery pack's external size. There was no need to modify the existing floor structure of the G70 7 Series, an expensive endeavor for a mid-cycle update.

      Rimac Technology, known for the Nevera hypercar, established two full production lines and a comprehensive supply chain at its facility near Zagreb, noted by BMW as one of the largest industrial construction projects of its kind in Europe, to manufacture these battery packs, which are subsequently sent to BMW’s plant in Dingolfing for final assembly. This partnership establishes Rimac in a new role as a battery systems supplier for a major OEM, differing from its hypercar and autonomous taxi ventures. BMW claims that the Gen6 cells reduce the carbon footprint of the battery supply chain by 33% compared to Gen5, utilizing fully renewable energy in production and incorporating recycled lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Wheels on specific i7 variants comprise 70% recycled aluminum.

      The electric motors have also undergone significant changes. The i7 is now equipped with excited synchronous motors that do not require rare earth magnets, producing the magnetic field through windings supplied with direct current. Integrated silicon carbide inverters within the motor housing result in a claimed 20% efficiency improvement across the entire powertrain, complemented by optimized wheel bearings that boost overall vehicle efficiency by up to 7%. The i7 achieves a drag coefficient of 0.24, competitive among its segment. Though these improvements may not be headline-grabbing, they significantly impact real-world range.

      This marks the first use of Gen6 cylindrical cells beyond the Neue Klasse architecture, indicating that BMW is linking its current and next-generation platforms through consistent cell chemistry. The Neue Klasse iX3, launching this summer, promises up to 400 miles of range and 400-kW ultra-fast charging on an 800-volt architecture, employing the same Gen6 cells in a specialized pack. The facelift of the i7 demonstrates that these cells can be retrofitted into an existing platform, suggesting that other current-generation BMW EVs might receive similar enhancements.

      In terms of pricing, the new i7 50 xDrive entry-level electric variant features 449 horsepower, 487 pound-feet of torque, a 0-60 time of approximately 5.3 seconds, and starts at $107,550. The i7 60 xDrive delivers 536 horsepower, 549 pound-feet of