2024 BMW i7 M70 Packs 650 HP and Nearly 300-Mile Range
With a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, it’s also the quickest BMW EV yet.
BMW is continuing its electric offensive, as it launches yet another new high-power EV: The 2024 BMW i7 M70. But it isn't just another EV from BMW, though. Pumping out a hefty 650 horsepower, it's the most powerful EV the BMW has ever made.
The big news for the i7 M70 is its upgraded rear electric motor. Like the standard i7 xDrive60, the M70 uses two electric motors, one for each axle. However, BMW increased the rear motor's power density by 25.5% by doubling the excitation windings on the motor's stator (going from three to six). That bumped just the rear motor up to 483 horsepower, which combines with the 255 horsepower front motor for a total output of 650 horsepower.
In Sport mode, the i7 M70 makes 748 pound-feet of peak torque. When launch control or M Boost mode is engaged, though, it can briefly make a total of 811 pound-feet. According to BMW, the i7 M70 can hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and its top speed is limited to 155 mph. That also makes it the fastest electric Bimmer ever, besting the iX M60 by a tenth of a second.
As for what's feeding juice to those motors, the i7 M70's battery pack is unchanged from the standard i7. While there's no EPA range just yet, BMW claims it can get 295 miles from a single charge, based on its own tests using the EPA's test procedures. Peak charging speed for the battery is 195 kW, which is the same as the standard i7, as well as the iX.
There's also a new drive mode called Max Range that drastically reduces acceleration, top speed, and creature comforts, in an attempt to squeeze out every last mile. While in Max Range mode, the i7 M70's top speed drops to just 56 mph, all climate controls are disabled, and all of the gauges change accordingly. BMW says it's mostly for emergency situations, such as the charger you planned on using is out of order. However, full-throttle acceleration, engaging the M Sport Boost function, or turning the defrosters all the way up will deactivate Max Range mode.
Speaking of modes and technology, the i7 M70 is one of the first cars to use BMW's new iDrive 8.5 system. It's very similar to the current iDrive 8 system found in most new BMWs, like the X7, 3 Series, and X1. However, it features a new QuickSelect layout that's supposed to make iDrive more intuitive. Being an M Performance car, it also gets some M-styled graphics in the digital gauge cluster.
Other new tech features are its augmented reality navigation display in between the gauges, a cloud-based BMW Maps nav system, and an optimized route planner.
The BMW i7 M70 might not be a full-blown M car but it has enough M badges to look like one. In addition to festooning the i7 M70 with badges, BMW also gave it M-style aerodynamic mirrors, a darker grille, new side skirts, and a new rear apron with an integrated diffuser. Customers that spec the M Performance Professional package also get a small rear spoiler.
Many new paint colors are available, including some matte "Frozen" colors and eight two-tone options, such as its new Liquid Copper and Sapphire Black combination. If those aren't enough, there are more than 100 BMW Individual options to choose from.
To earn those M badges, BMW gave the i7 M70 some additional structural rigidity, by adding a sheer metal panel between the bulkhead and strut towers. BMW also retuned its steering, gave it model-specific air suspension tuning, and now offers a performance tire. However, the performance tire is only available on the optional 20-inch wheels. Standard wheels are 21-inch lightweight M wheels with an aerodynamic design.
The BMW i7 M70 will make its public debut at the 2023 Auto Shanghai show and will see a worldwide market launch in the second half of this year. BMW didn't release pricing just yet but it will be announced closer to production.
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