BMW’s 2027 7-Series has made its debut, but what exactly is new about it? Is it one of those “facelifts” that see a manufacturer tweaking a couple of pieces of trim while expecting customers to pay full price for the latest model year? Or is BMW offering people a lot more than we usually get when vehicles get a mid-cycle update?
If you’re a BMW fan, you can relax. It was certainly more than a simple mid-cycle refresh. Instead, it’s seemingly a solid attempt to drag the flagship in line with the company’s emerging Neue Klasse vehicles. Yes, a major overhaul including a new powertrain is due in a few years. That’s when we’ll see a genuine “Neue Klasse” i7 amongst other things. But if you’re planning on sticking with an ICE vehicles, or just can’t wait until the end of the decade, then there’s certainly enough of a change to warrant looking at a 2027 7-Series.
I was lucky enough to get up close with the new BMW 7-Series during its April 22 launch in New York City. Here are the new features that stood out the most.
The 7-Series has a new face
While the idea of BMW’s Neue Klasse might be most closely associated with EVs like the upcoming i3 and iX3, it’s much more than that. Neue Klasse is a concept, a design language that’s set to spread across BMW’s entire lineup in the next few years. And we’re seeing that on both the gas and electric variants of the 7-Series.
The Neue Klasse visuals are easy to spot. The vehicle retains its distinctive “kidney grille,” a feature that Vice President of Product Management at BMW of North America Michael Keller says is likely to stay due to the connection between larger grilles and luxury vehicles, the headlights have all but disappeared. Instead of a large lens, lighting now comes from a set of narrow “crystal headlights.” Each light contains 12 crystals, and the line-like design carries over to the rear of the vehicle. The lights at the back are equally narrow.
On the hood, there’s also a redesigned badge, sitting in the “valley” which has become a hallmark of the Neue Klasse. In short, it’s a far sharper look. This, on its own, would pass as a mid-cycle refresh at many brands. But to BMW, this is far more than a standard facelift.
The i7’s battery has received a boost
BMW’s Neue Klasse isn’t all about looks. There’s actually some pretty advanced tech going into the vehicles, and the new battery architecture available on the i7 is a major part of that. The vehicle is now using cylindrical battery cells, which ups energy density by an impressive 20%.
This does a few things. Firstly, the range has increased significantly. You can now go up to 447 miles on a single charge. Charging speeds are also boosted, with the i7 capable of 250 kW rates the vehicle can go from 20 to 80 percent in well under 30 minutes. Those of you who prefer using Tesla’s charging network will be pleased to know the electric variants of new 7-Series come with a NACS port as standard.
If you’re looking for something to do while the i7 is charging, you should take a look inside the vehicle. There are plenty of new infotainment options there.
Panoramic iDrive comes to the 7-Series
One of the standout features on BMW’s upcoming iX3 and other Neue Klasse vehicles is the “Panoramic iDrive” infotainment system. And the refreshed 7-series is getting the cutting-edge display, along with a brand new passenger screen, as standard.
The highly customizable dash-length screen puts BMW on par with other luxury brands like Cadillac and Lincoln. Many manufacturers seem to be moving beyond the whole “iPad glued to the dash” style of infotainment systems in favor of larger, more aesthetically pleasing, options.
While some elements are fixed, you can’t go and put your speedometer on the passenger side, Panoramic iDrive is highly customizable. It also comes with BMW’s new, Alexa-integrated, AI assistant. So you may not even have to prod the touchscreens to get to where you want.
You can make a Zoom call from the TV now
Yes it’s an optional extra, but the almost 32-inch 8k widescreen in the back of the BMW 7-Series is arguably the vehicle’s unique selling point. You could already catch up on shows via your favorite streaming service, or plug in your favorite console if the native games weren’t enough for you. Now the display has gone beyond entertainment and added to the already heavy business aspects of the 7-Series.
Now I’m unsure if appearing on a Zoom call in the back seat of a six-figure luxury sedan is an absolute power move or may be considered a bit much (especially if you’re announcing a round of layoffs). But at least it’s an option. The vehicle has had WiFi for years too, which makes it a perfect all-round workspace for those who have to be somewhere but are unable to leave it all at the office.
The AI features go right down to the road
Tire pressure monitors are pretty fantastic. Running flat can cause damage to the rubber, rim, and even the vehicle itself, and there are vehicles where you’ll only find out you’ve lost tire pressure when its all a bit too late.
BMW is taking things a little further on the new 7-Series, and using AI to make it happen. “digital tyre [sic] conditioning monitoring” is included in the list of cutting edge features BMW is packaging with the 7-series. It sits alongside AI braking assist and ensures you have plenty of help when it comes to keeping your vehicle safe and in top condition.
BMW hasn’t revealed too much info on this feature yet, but it’s obviously there to flag indicators of tire wear and degradation long before they become an issue. There’s a chance it might come in handy on a track too, if you want to slap on an M package and give your 7-Series a run out in a performance setting.
The 2027 BMW 7-Series starts at of $106,200, with production set to begin in July and deliveries expected shortly afterwards.
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