Order taking for the BMW i7 is on the way.
BMW Malaysia had their all electric powered i7 (a left hand drive unit) flown into Malaysia to be shown to its select super rich customers last week. It was in Malaysia just a few days before Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched their EQS luxury electric sedan.
Priced at RM698,888, the Mercedes EQS450 AMG Line has a 333PS power delivery and a possible 782km electric driving range from a 107.8kWh battery system. It will accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds.
Meanwhile, this BMW i7 electric sedan delivers 544PS but with only a 510km electric driving range from a 105.0kWh battery system. This electric BMW weighs in at 2715kg whilst the Mercedes weighs in at a lighter 2480kg.
The i7 can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and will probably be priced very close (but definitely lower) to the Mercedes EQS450 AMG Line. About RM658k to RM668k as its North America selling price starts from USD119k.
The vehicle architecture of the new 7 Series range was devised from the outset for both internal combustion engines and electrified drive systems. The production development process for the luxury sedan already made allowance for the next-generation high-security vehicle’s new and innovative protection concept.
This integrated security concept, together with the “craft manufacturing” process at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, ensures that the electric variant of the new high-security vehicle also boasts an unrivalled combination of protection, poise & assurance, spaciousness and sustainability.
One of the main highlights of the equipment options available for the new BMW 7 Series is the BMW Theatre Screen with Amazon Fire TV built-in.
Interestingly, this is a 31.311 BK touchscreen display with Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system with (optional which might need to be paid for like the heated seats) in-seat exciters, built-in touch screen remotes in the door panels (BMW Touch Command), and an automated rear shade system that closes when the BMW Theatre Screen is turned on.
Meanwhile Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has already taken a number of bookings for this all electric luxury sedan and BMW dealers in Malaysia are taking turns to bring their customers for a personal preview of this all new electric 7 Series and they are also taking bookings without a firm price confirmed.
It seems that BMW Malaysia wanted to have the i7 in Malaysia to make sure the current 7 Series customers get a look at this electric version before they get ‘pulled’ into a Mercedes-Benz showroom to buy the all electric EQS450.
It will be interesting to see which brand takes the ‘lions share’ of bookings before the year comes to a close.
