’60’ tends to mean something pretty powerful in BMW-speak, and the company is getting ready to reveal an xDrive60 variant of its new electric flagship sedan.
The 2023 BMW i7, the electric variant of the redesigned 7 Series range, will be revealed at the 2022 Auto China Beijing motor show in April.
Thanks to BMW USA’s website, we now know that one of the i7’s variants will be called xDrive60.
It’s unclear whether this will be the top-spec i7. The electric iX SUV, for reference, tops out with an M60 variant, while the outgoing 7 Series flagship is the V12-powered M760Li.
Per the website, BMW indicates the i7 xDrive60 has an estimated maximum range of around 324 miles (521km) according to preliminary testing using US EPA standards.
The Bavarian automaker has previously said the i7 will have an official driving range of up to 610km (WLTP) or 490km (US EPA) in its most efficient guise.
All models of the i7 all-electric sedan will be available with a dual-motor all-wheel drive system.
BMW has yet to confirm powertrain outputs for the i7. The iX M60 has 455kW of power and 1100Nm of torque in its most powerful drive mode, while even the xDrive50 one rung down has 385kW and 765Nm.
For reference, the twin-turbo V12 in the outgoing M760Li flagship puts out 448kW and 850Nm.
Unfortunately there are no new images of the i7 at this stage but we have already seen some initial teaser images.
They showcased the all-electric sedan’s oversized double kidney grille with an illuminated frame and its split headlight setup with “upper light elements made of exclusive crystal glass”.
Inside the i7 are many high-tech items, including a curved display similar to the iX all-electric SUV that houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen.
In the rear there’s a 31.0-inch 8K resolution “theatre” screen that descends from the headliner, and has an ultra-wide aspect ratio of 32:9.
The i7 also has a panoramic glass roof, and light and function strips on the dashboard and door panels.
While the Mercedes-Benz EQS has a completely unique body and architecture from the similarly-sized S-Class, the all-electric i7 is much more closely related to the ICE 7 Series.
Like the i4 and the 4 Series Gran Coupe, the i7 and 7 Series will share the same body, but with unique design elements primarily at the front and back.
In late 2021 BMW released a suite of official “spy photos” of the i7, which show a sedan with a traditional three-box silhouette undergoing winter testing in Sweden.
BMW has also confirmed its next-generation 7 Series will have an available SAE Level 3 autonomous driving feature.
“Level 3 you will see from us in 7 Series next year,” said BMW director of development Frank Weber in an interview with Forbes Wheels in November 2021.
“It’s a function you can buy. It will be ready to go at the launch of the 7 Series.”
According to Weber, this SAE Level 3 autonomous driving system is being developed with Intel’s self-driving subsidiary, Mobileye.
It’s also set to eventually become available on future BMW 5 Series, X5 and X7 models, as well as the all-electric iX as an optional upgrade from its current SAE Level 2 system.
MORE: Everything BMW 7 Series