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Imagine gliding into a polished showroom and finding the 7 Series looking sharper, smarter, and subtly more purposeful than before. That’s the mood BMW is aiming for with its mid-cycle update, which drops two distinct flavors: a six-cylinder mild-hybrid 740 and the long-range i7 60 xDrive electric limousine.
New angles, familiar ambition
Both models arrive in Australia in the fourth quarter, but the implications stretch beyond one market. This facelift is not about reinventing the wheel. It is about tightening the details—sharper grille elements, refined tech, and a stronger digital personality that nudges the flagship into the present day without losing its executive calm.
Price matters. BMW sets the starting points at about €169,519 for the 740 and roughly €187,209 for the i7 60 xDrive. A First Edition upgrade packs bespoke Merino leather, 21-inch BMW Individual wheels and two-tone paints, costing around €7,869 on the 740 while being offered at no charge on the EV in the first 12 months of production.
So what do you get for those sums?
The 740 keeps a more conventional heart. Under the bonnet sits an inline six boosted by 48V mild-hybrid tech. Peak output reads 294 kW, the engine pulls 580 Nm of torque, and the eight-speed Steptronic transmission sends power to the road. The mild-hybrid system contributes a short-burst boost of roughly 13 kW and the equivalent of about 200 Nm, enough to nudge the sprint to 100 kph into the mid five-second range.
The i7 60 xDrive takes the opposite approach: no engine, lots of battery. BMW pairs its Gen6 cell chemistry with the upgraded Gen5 eDrive, packing an electric motor on each axle for all-wheel drive. System output is a vigorous 400 kW with 745 Nm of torque. The high-voltage battery offers a net capacity of 112.5 kWh and supports DC charging at up to 250 kW. WLTP numbers point to as much as 727 km of range. Fast charging from 10 to 80 percent can be done in about 28 minutes when conditions are ideal.
Acceleration figures underline the different personalities. The 740 sprints to 100 kph in roughly 5.4 seconds and tops out at 250 kph. The i7 shaves that time to about 4.8 seconds and has a slightly lower maximum speed of 240 kph. One is composed and torquey; the other is swift and silently insistent.
Options and cabin tech lean heavily into luxury and customization. Both cars can be specified with M Sport packaging, with 20-inch wheels standard on the 740 and a new 21-inch design available for the i7. Inside, BMW introduces the Panoramic iDrive display with a Passenger Screen and an upgraded Theatre Screen for rear occupants. Executive Lounge seating is offered for those who want a near-limousine rear experience.
There is also a stronger push on smart features. BMW talks about an increased role for artificial intelligence to tune comfort and to assist with partially automated driving and parking. Think of it as a set of quiet aides: less show, more sense.
Will this facelift change anyone’s mind about the seventh generation? Not overnight. But it tightens the argument: a more modern visual stance, fresh in-car tech, and a clear EV alternative that points to where BMW sees the luxury sedan heading next. For buyers who want a classic high-end drive with a mild electric nudge, the 740 is the compromise. For those ready to step fully into battery-power and long-range electric comfort, the i7 makes a persuasive case.
Source: autoevolution
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