What Car Shoppers Need to Know
- The updated BMW 7 Series has a dramatic new interior with a bizarre new steering wheel.
- The all-electric BMW i7 receives the most significant powertrain changes, with more range from additional battery capacity and faster charging.
- Production of the 2027 7 Series is expected to start in July.
The BMW 7 Series has been the flagship of the luxury automaker for nearly half a century. It’s often been used as a rolling test bed to showcase the latest in design and technology from BMW. That continues with the 2027 7 Series. As BMW enters its next phase with its Neue Klasse design, the 7 Series becomes the next model — following the recently introduced i3 and iX3 electric vehicles — to show the next generation of design and technology from the luxury brand.
Related: Meet the New BMW i3, an Electric 3 Series Sedan With 440 Miles of Estimated Range
Interior Design and Technology
The biggest changes for the 2027 7 Series can be found in its interior, which has been completely redesigned and mirrors what we’ve seen in the i3 and iX3. The steering wheel is the most obvious change, with a unique two-spoke setup at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions. The wheel also features controls that BMW says only illuminate as needed.
The dash has been redesigned with three different displays. Called Panoramic iDrive, the system runs BMW’s latest operating system and consists of a pillar-to-pillar display set at the base of the windshield, another 17.9-inch center infotainment display and a smaller front passenger display. All can be used to access and display various widgets and controls for the interior. The system’s intelligent digital assistant, Intelligent Personal Assistant, is now enhanced by Amazon Alexa+ artificial intelligence technology.
Rear passengers have it best, though. Aside from the optional Executive Lounge treatment that basically turns the rear seat into a luxury lounge or mobile office, the massive optional 31.3-inch rear theater screen has been updated. It can now be used to access streaming and entertainment apps, as well as Zoom video calls.
Pricing and Release Date
The 2027 BMW 7 Series is expected to go on sale in July. Note that given the fact that the 750e plug-in hybrid may not come to the U.S., its pricing wasn’t made available and isn’t listed here. All pricing includes $1,550 for destination.
- 740: $101,350
- 740 xDrive: $104,350
- i7 50 xDrive: $107,750
- i7 60 xDrive: $126,250
Neue Klasse Exterior Design
The current generation of the 7 Series was introduced for the 2023 model year wearing a design that BMW described as “sovereign,” though many found it to be controversial. That styling is updated for 2027. BMW now describes the design of the 7 Series as “monolithic,” though it doesn’t appear to be any less controversial, as the exterior changes are far more subtle than the interior.
The iconic twin kidney grille has been updated and still includes illumination, not just on the grille surround, but also on the slats themselves. The grille itself is also pretty complicated, with BMW saying tech and features such as the radar, camera, sensors and headlight-washer nozzles are integrated into the grille to keep the front design uncluttered. The headlight designs are also new and can be optioned with crystal inserts.
Around the side, a new character line leads you to the redesigned rear where new, slimmer taillights are covered in smoked glass for a darkening effect.
We cannot generate a video preview.
Power and Performance
BMW is offering the 7 Series with three different powertrains. All are carryovers but have been updated.
The electric i7 gets the most extensive powertrain updates out of the lineup. Previously, the i7 was available in either the rear-wheel-drive i7 eDrive50 trim or the i7 xDrive60 trim. Along with a name change for the trims, BMW has now made a new entry point into the i7 lineup with the new all-wheel-drive i7 50 xDrive, while the i7 60 xDrive trim has a new name but is carried over.
The i7 receives a new, larger 112.5-kilowatt-hour battery, giving it more range, which BMW says is in excess of 350 miles on the 60 xDrive trim. Charging power has also increased, going from a peak of 195 kilowatts to 250 kW. With a native North American Charging Standard charging port, BMW says the i7 can charge from 10% to 80% percent in just 28 minutes under ideal conditions at compatible DC fast-charging stations.
The lineup starts with the six-cylinder-powered 740 and its 394-horsepower six-cylinder engine, up 19 hp over the previous engine. This engine can also be paired with xDrive AWD. When equipped with xDrive, BMW says the 740 can hit 60 mph in less than five seconds.
The 750e xDrive plug-in hybrid pairs a 308-hp version of the six-cylinder engine with a 194-hp electric motor that’s integrated into the transmission for a total of 483-hp. Range estimates for this variant have not yet been released.
For those wanting a performance cruise missile, BMW says a V-8-powered M performance model will come sometime later.
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