2023 BMW 7 Series Adds Electric Model, Movie Theater Backseat

Competes with: Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, Lexus LS

Looks like: Current 7 Series with updated front and rear

Powertrains: 375-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder, rear-wheel drive (740i); 536-hp, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8, all-wheel drive (760i xDrive); 101.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack, 536-hp dual-motor AWD (i7 xDrive60); eight-speed automatic transmission (740i, 760i xDrive)

Hits dealerships: Late 2022

Closely following a refresh for its largest SUV, the X7, BMW has revealed a redesigned version of its lower-riding stablemate — the 2023 7 Series sedan. The full-size sedan gets exterior tweaks to its front and rear, a minimalistic interior with new materials and tech options, and its first-ever all-electric model.

Related: 2023 BMW X7 Gains Mild-Hybrid Power, New Look and Higher Price

The battery-powered i7 xDrive60 will join the smaller i4 sedan and iX SUV as the brand’s third fully electric model. Meanwhile, the gas-powered 740i and performance-leaning 760i xDrive models return with power and efficiency improvements along with significant price bumps over the outgoing 2022 variants.

Exterior: Crystal-Clear Lighting

The most notable changes to the seventh-generation 7 Series are a new front and rear end, which feature updated head- and taillights. In front, BMW splits the current sedan’s lighting into two units: the upper section includes slim daytime running lamps and turn indicators, and LED headlights are tucked below. Optional crystal headlights and daytime running lights are newly available. To highlight the vehicle’s supersized signature kidney grille, an illuminated version is added as an option for 2023. The redesigned rear end features a lowered license plate mount and wears new L-shaped taillights.

The 7 Series keeps the outgoing model’s recognizable profile but grows larger. The new model is approximately 5 inches longer, 2 inches wider and 2 inches taller. The wheelbase is also slightly longer.

There are three new metallic paint colors to choose from: Dark Graphite, Sparkling Copper and Space Silver. For the first time, a two-tone paint finish is available with two color choices for the top section above the vehicle’s shoulder line and five options for the lower section.

An M Sport Package with M-specific front and side design cues and 20- or 21-inch M wheels is now standard on the 740i and 760i xDrive; it can be added to the i7 xDrive60 at no cost. An M Sport Professional Package adds M Sport brakes and a specific trim for the grille.

New Interior Unclutters the Cockpit

The 7 Series sees many changes inside, too, including new materials for the seating and trim; the addition of new standard comfort seats and optional Executive Lounge seats; and a more minimalistic cockpit that removes many of the physical controls found in the outgoing model. BMW’s curved display, which has appeared in new models like the refreshed X7, houses a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch center touchscreen as part of a single unit.

A new interaction bar serves as both a design and operational control function. Stretching across the instrument panel and continuing into the door panel, the bar encompasses touch controls for climate and hazard lights. It also features ambient lighting and BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant to signal events, like incoming phone calls. Other notable changes for the driver include a new flat-bottom steering wheel and a newly designed push-button gear selector.

The 7 Series features multi-contour heated front seats with standard ventilation for the 760i xDrive and i7 xDrive60; ventilation is optional for the 740i. A massage function with nine settings can be added as an option across all trims. The ventilation and massage functions can also be added to the rear seats as an option. Touch control panels built into the door trims allow passengers to adjust the seat settings. The Executive Lounge option essentially turns the back seats into lounge chairs with a reclining function and leg rest for the seat behind the front passenger.

A Second-Row Movie Theater

The Executive Lounge seats combined with BMW’s 31.3-inch theater screen, Amazon Fire TV and a surround sound system mimic the movie theater experience. The large horizontal screen allows backseat occupants to stream videos, play games or listen to music. A larger panoramic roof is standard across all models and features new LED light threads that mirror the pattern of the seating surfaces.

Available materials for the seats range from a sustainable leatherette in the 740i to standard Merino leather in the 760i xDrive and i7 xDrive60. Also available is a new trim option that blends Merino leather and cashmere wool in contrasting shades.

Powertrains and Performance

According to the automaker, the 740i and 760i xDrive powertrains benefit from a new mild-hybrid system for increased efficiency, torque and horsepower output. RWD is standard for the 740i, and the 760i xDrive comes standard with AWD. Both vehicles use an eight-speed automatic transmission. The all-electric i7 xDrive60, which replaces the 745e xDrive plug-in hybrid, comes standard with AWD. BMW says additional performance and ride comfort improvements come from chassis updates, front and rear suspension upgrades and a new electric power-steering system.

740i

The base 740i model is powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, which now makes 375 hp — a 40-hp increase from the outgoing model’s inline-six. The 383 pounds-feet of torque can briefly climb to a maximum of 398 pounds-feet with help from the new 48-volt mild-hybrid system. BMW estimates the 740i’s 0-60 mph time at 5 seconds.

760i xDrive

BMW says the higher-performance 760i xDrive model’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 gets increased responsiveness and greater efficiency for 2023. The V-8 makes 536 hp — up from 523 in the outgoing model — and 553 pounds-feet of torque. The 760i xDrive does 0-60 in 4.2 seconds, according to BMW.

i7 xDrive60: The First All-Electric 7 Series

The biggest news for the 7 Series is the introduction of the i7 xDrive60. The electric vehicle is powered by dual electric motors and a 101.7-kWh battery pack for 536 hp and 549 pounds-feet of torque. The electrified 7 Series is slightly slower from a stop than its V-8 counterpart, with a 0-60 time of a BMW-estimated 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph.

The i7 is expected to get approximately 300 miles of range, according to the automaker’s preliminary tests, though it has yet to get an official EPA rating. The automaker says it has improved the charging software used in the all-electric iX SUV and the i4 sedan, which should lead to reduced charging time for the larger sedan. The i7 allows AC charging up to 11 kilowatts, while DC fast charging can charge at a rate of up to 195 kW. According to BMW, a 10-minute charge will add up to 80 miles at a fast-charging station.

Stepping Up the Safety

The 7 Series comes with the BMW driver-assist suite, which comes with several upgrades for 2023. Features include blind spot warning, enhanced forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, and more. A new exit warning system prevents occupants from opening the vehicle doors and causing a collision with pedestrians or cyclists.

BMW’s semi-autonomous Highway Assistant system, which is part of the Driving Assistance Professional Package, now offers hands-free lane centering on designated highways at speeds of up to 80 mph. That’s up from 40 mph in the outgoing model. Drivers must still maintain focus on the road and be ready to take control at all times while the system is engaged.

In addition to driver-assist enhancements on the highway, the new 7 Series improves parking technology with the introduction of a new Maneuver Assistant system. The feature uses GPS data to memorize difficult parking maneuvers to automatically control steering, acceleration and braking when the same parking job must be repeated in the future.

Pricing and Release Date

The 2023 BMW 740i will start at $94,295 (all prices include destination fees); that’s up $6,500 over the outgoing 2022 740i. The performance-oriented 760i xDrive starts at $114,595, which is up $10,600 over its 2022 counterpart, the 750i xDrive. The new all-electric i7 xDrive60 wears the highest starting price tag of the group at $120,295. EV shoppers will find that BMW’s vehicles are still eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit , and the all-electric variant includes three years of unlimited free charging in 30-minute sessions at Electrify America stations.

The 2023 7 Series is expected to arrive in late 2022, and shoppers can preorder the all-electric i7 sedan now on BMW’s website.

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