Next-gen BMW 7 Series to be offered as EV

BMW has confirmed its next-generation 7 Series luxury upper-large sedan will come with its own zero-emissions EV powertrain, as the brand aims to offer customers as much powertrain choice as possible.

Speaking at BMW’s annual press conference, chairman of the board of management Oliver Zipse confirmed that the 7 Series would get its own EV powertrain alongside the already-existing internal combustion and hybrid options.

Mr Zipse even said the top-spec, most powerful 7 Series will be an EV variant, suggesting the zero-emission grade will pack a serious punch.

The announcement is likely to be a major nail in the coffin of BMW’s largest petrol engine, the 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 unit under the bonnet of M760Li, which currently punches out 448kW/850Nm.

Given that new-generation models tend to raise the bar for performance, an all-electric powertrain with in excess of 450kW/850Nm could be on the cards.

The new 7 Series could even mark the first all-electric BMW tuned by M Performance, given the current range-topper is a member of the M-fettled BMW family.

The only current BMW performance model with any form of electrification is the i8 coupe and convertible, which have just wrapped up production overseas after six years on sale locally.

Given the M760Li checks in with a tare mass of 2168kg, an all-electric 7 Series would add extra weight with a hefty lithium-ion battery pack underfloor, however its instant torque delivery would give it a real shot of shortening the M760Li’s 3.8-second zero-to-100km/h sprint time.

The move to an all-electric 7 Series seems increasingly sensible, with a number of other manufacturers set to release their own EV limousines.

Jaguar is already in the process of developing its new-generation, electric-only XJ sedan, while Mercedes will release its own EQS in coming years, which was previewed in concept form at last year’s Frankfurt motor show.

With a mid-life refresh last year, the current range is expected to be phased out and replaced in 2022, which is when the EV versions should appear.

The decision to offer a full range of powertrains is in line with BMW’s goal to electrify one quarter of its fleet by 2021, with 30 per cent of sales aimed to be electrified variants by 2025.

The 7 Series will likely be the second model in BMW’s arsenal to offer a full range of powertrain options after the X3 medium SUV, with the brand set to reveal the iX3 EV version later this year.

Another EV on the way for BMW is the i4 sedan, which is said to sport 390kW of power and 600km of range when it debuts in 2021.