[Jason]

Steep mountain roads, high temperatures: Testing the BMW i7 drive under extreme conditions.

December 15, 2021

Munich. The series development process of the BMW i7 (power consumption combined: 22.5 – 19.5 kWh/100 km according to WLTP; CO2 emissions: 0 g/km; forecast based on the vehicle's development status to date) in entering its final phase with the car undergoing a demanding test programme in extreme road and weather conditions. During so-called hot-region testing on tracks and public roads all over the world, the development engineers primarily verify the performance and reliability of the electric motors, the all-wheel drive and the high-voltage battery when being exposed to maximum stress from high temperatures, unpaved roads, dust and large differences in altitude. The road to series production takes the prototypes of the BMW i7 over gravel tracks into deserts, into the mountains and on a whole series of highly dynamic routes. The BMW i7, the world's only purely electrically powered luxury sedan, will be presented in the course of 2022 together with other model variants of the new BMW 7 Series.

The endurance test in the hot regions of various countries and continents serves in particular to test and safeguard all components of the electric drive system. The components of the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology developed for the BMW i7 demonstrate their unrestricted functionality even under the most adverse conditions when being used continuously in extremely high outside temperatures, permanent sunlight and dry conditions.

Within a firmly defined test programme for the prototypes, loads are simulated that correspond to the challenges faced by a series-production vehicle during a complete product life cycle. Supported by sensitive on-board measurement technology, experienced test engineers register every reaction of the electric motors, the high-voltage battery, drive control and the integrated cooling system as well as the charging technology and energy management to weather and road-related influences.

The testing programme, which covers tens of thousands of kilometres, includes long-distance and high-speed driving as well as stop-and-go traffic in scorching heat. In addition, test sections with particularly large differences in altitude were selected at the hot-region test sites. In this way the temperature behaviour of the electric motors and the torque control of the all-electric BMW xDrive can be analysed during a particularly dynamic and long-lasting uphill drive. To further increase the load on the drive system, the test programme also includes mountain driving in trailer mode. At the same time, the high-voltage battery shows how it able to continuously deliver peak power to supply the e-motors. As an extreme scenario and a particular challenge for energy management and power electronics, the test also involves driving downhill with a high-voltage storage system that is already fully charged at the start and can therefore no longer absorb any recuperation energy.

The gruelling hot-region test procedure is also used to put the performance of the air-conditioning and other on-board electronics, as well as the temperature resistance of the materials used in the interior, to a particularly tough test. This is all to ensure that the world's only purely electrically powered luxury sedan delivers a perfectly harmonised and exclusive driving experience in any situation.

[Game]

Really think this headlight design is going to bury the 7 series.

[audioMeth]

Originally Posted by Game

Really think this headlight design is going to bury the 7 series.

judging on their recent design choices across all models i am sure it will be the ugliest 7 ever made.

[TXSchnee]

"The BMW i7, the world's only purely electrically powered luxury sedan, will be presented in the course of 2022 together with other model variants of the new BMW 7 Series."


I get they need to hype this, but did they forget about the Mercedes EQS? It is beating the i7 to the market by a year.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by audioMeth

judging on their recent design choices across all models i am sure it will be the ugliest 7 ever made.

Yet somehow it will still manage to be more attractive than the ugly ass joke that is the EQS.

[cfm56d7b]

BMW i7 has a very promising future as a luxury sedan in commercial fleets: picking up passengers from airports, trips around the town. Plenty of time to recharge the vehicle between trips.

[GOLFFRR]

this is awesome. ITs going to be a good move for BMW

[am3r1ka]

Are my eyes deceiving me or is that M-Wing mirrors I see?

[ferasjamshed@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Yet somehow it will still manage to be more attractive than the ugly ass joke that is the EQS.

The EQS is truly ugly, people say that BMW have gotten ugly but they forget what merc has been doing, the EQS is the worst offender IMO, it looks like melted cheese, and the EQE isn't much better. Not to mention the weird new E class with its awkward face. Even the S class is uglier then before. BMW is doing worst but i doubt the new I7 will be worst then the EQS

[ferasjamshed@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by am3r1ka

Are my eyes deceiving me or is that M-Wing mirrors I see?

Maybe its the I7 M60 version or something

[n55f15]

Not bad if it ends up looking like this

[Masander]

Originally Posted by n55f15

Not bad if it ends up looking like this

Bring back Bangle please..

[darksilkx1]

Originally Posted by TXSchnee

"The BMW i7, the world's only purely electrically powered luxury sedan, will be presented in the course of 2022 together with other model variants of the new BMW 7 Series."


I get they need to hype this, but did they forget about the Mercedes EQS? It is beating the i7 to the market by a year.

Yep and the Lucid Air too.

[TXSchnee]

Originally Posted by darksilkx1

Yep and the Lucid Air too.

True, I doubt BMW is considering them a competitor though. The Air looks fantastic.

[ihbase]

Too little. Too late.

Congratulations BMW Leadership and Governance, way to blow your early technological lead in the BEV market.

-Michael

[stein_325i]

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by TXSchnee

True, I doubt BMW is considering them a competitor though. The Air looks fantastic.

It does. There is a Lucid design studio in Scottsdale and it looks good in real life also. I have a deposit down on a Lucid Air but it is refundable and I could be brought back to the BMW world if it ever gets its act together again. No more Edsel grilles please and a better range.

While some reviewers have put the Lucid in with the EQS for reviews, the Lucid is really a midsized car (essentially the same size as my 5 series) and thereby smaller than the EQS and the I7 EV. To me, that is a positive as I don't want a full sized car.

[Germanauto]

Extreme testing as well as extreme beatings with the ugly stick.

[Cortexiphan]

Originally Posted by audioMeth

judging on their recent design choices across all models i am sure it will be the ugliest 7 ever made.

Well, subjectively, I disagree.
Objectively, BMW has been selling more cars than ever, partly thanks to the design language you and some find ugly. Also, BMW is more definitively ahead of competition than they've ever been both in terms of sales and critical acclaim... So i7 could end up being the best selling 7 ever.