BMW i7: range and autonomous driving

BMW has previously made a commitment concerning the i7's range and detailed the functionality for autonomous driving.

BMW i7 should be able to drive up to 610 kilometers

Many buyers admire the potential range of an electric vehicle. In the WLTP testing cycle, BMW specifies an electric range for the i7 of 580 to 610 kilometers, depending on the equipment.

The quantity of the built-in battery is unknown, although it appears likely that the Munich-based company is depending on the battery from the similarly long BMW iX electric SUV.

So far, the lithium-ion storage with roughly 116 kWh is only available in the BMW iX xDrive 50, which should have a range of around 630 kilometers, according to the manufacturer.

In the Auto Motor und Sport test, however, the range is roughly 440 kilometers, or 540 kilometers if you drive extremely efficiently.

The BMW Interaction Bar will make its debut on the next BMW 7 Series and i7 models of the G70 series. This is part of the interior's ambient lighting. The dashboard's built-in light strip is complemented by interactive touch components and so serves as a control for certain functions.

Shy Tech, or control features that are only visible when needed, was already developed by the company with the electric car iX. Furthermore, the climate control moves to the center touchscreen, allowing BMW to save money on knobs and other components while also making the design look cleaner.

Cooperation with Qualcomm and Stellantis

BMW, like many other automakers, is working hard to create self-driving technology. The forthcoming i7 will use a Level 3 system. BMW collaborated with the Israeli company Mobileye and the American corporation Intel on this project.

Finally, this system should be able to drive autonomously in traffic jams on certain highways at a maximum speed of 60 km/h. The anticipated set of functions corresponds closely to the Drive Pilot special equipment, which Mercedes-Benz will provide in the S-Class and the EQS electric car beginning in summer 2022.

The Drive Pilot can assume control of the vehicle in traffic jams on highways at speeds of up to 60 km/h and start independent braking maneuvers.

While the Drive Pilot is active, the driver can watch a movie or check e-mails on the central touchscreen, but must always pay attention to the steering wheel and be ready to take control if something in the vehicle, such as a color indication on the valance, prompts them to do so.

Mercedes was the first automobile manufacturer in the world to gain KBA approval for the system in December 2021.

BMW development chief Frank Weber told his Golem colleagues that the company will no longer just cooperate with Mobileye in the future. Rather, the Munich firm has engaged in a broad collaboration with Qualcomm.

With BMW OS 8.0, the Americans will not only offer chipsets for the iDrive infotainment system but will also establish an open platform for autonomous driving. BMW will push autonomous driving in the future in collaboration with Opel's parent company Stellantis.

Weber, interestingly, refers to level 3 of the five SEA levels. Autonomous driving on all routes and in all environmental situations is only achievable with Level 5, but no firm is currently talking about Level 5 because there will almost certainly always be some system constraints.

Even Level 4 is still a distant dream because the automobile can travel autonomously - without a driver - in a predefined region, such as a multi-story parking garage or a district.