2023 BMW i7: Electric flagship rendered

An independent rendering has provided our best look yet at the 2023 BMW i7 electric sedan.

The illustration, courtesy of TheSketchMonkey, takes inspiration from the forthcoming XM performance SUV, which is expected to share its design elements with the i7.

This includes the controversial split headlight design and a large ‘kidney’ grille – albeit with a more subtle frame over what is expected on the XM, previewed by last year's Concept XM.

While the i7 will be a direct competitor to the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQS, it has a boxy and traditional sedan body reminiscent of current internal-combustion limos – rather than the swoopy design of the Mercedes.

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This is due to the relation between the next-generation 7 Series and the i7, as both will ride on the same CLAR platform with an identical body – much like the difference between the smaller 4 Series Gran Coupe and i4 – whereas the S-Class and EQS are separate vehicles.

It will also rival the Audi E-Tron GT, Mercedes-Benz EQE, Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S electric sedans.

In the lead-up to the i7’s unveiling, BMW has published a series of teasers as it undergoes testing in Europe.

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Finer details are yet to be confirmed, although the powertrains offered on the i7 are unlikely to stray far from the iX crossover.

BMW says the i7 will utilise the fifth-generation version of the brand’s eDrive technology as seen in the iX, which is offered in xDrive40, xDrive50 and flagship M60 guise.

In mid-range xDrive50 configuration, the iX produces 385kW of power and 765Nm of torque, allowing for a 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds and a claimed driving range of around 630 kilometres.

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Stepping up to the flagship performance-orientated iX M60 boosts outputs to 455kW/1100Nm in a 10-second burst, with a lower claimed driving range of approximately 566 kilometres.

Inside, the i7 is expected to pick up a curved dash featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment system running BMW’s latest iDrive 8 user interface.

The 2023 BMW i7 will be unveiled in the coming months, with the flagship electric sedan likely to enter production before the end of the year, alongside its internal-combustion 7 Series twin.

Below: The current internal-combustion 2022 BMW 7 Series

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