BMW 7 Series EV and ICE versions to have the same price in Canada

While the seventh generation of the new BMW 7 Series goes electric, the German automaker still plans on selling a gas-powered V8 version of its flagship luxury sedan in Canada.

And, there’s no price premium for the EV. Both models will start at the same price in Canada – $147,000, before shipping.

“No size fits all, not in this industry,” said Oliver Zipse, chairman of BMW AG during a round-table discussion after the 7 Series unveiling at a private event at the Chelsea Industrial in New York City.

“This is the decade of diversity, the decade of flexibility. Markets worldwide deal with a wide variety of different customer needs. That’s why we remain open to all technologies because it is the right concept for our customers. With our approach we are well prepared for a not-so-easy predictable future,” he said.

In Canada, two 7 Series sedans are available: the first pure electric i7 xDrive60 and the gas-powered 760i xDrive.

At the heart of the i7 xDrive60 are two electric motors, which deliver 536 horsepower and 549 lb-ft of torque and enable it to go 0-100 km/h in about 4.7 seconds. Range is estimated at up to 498 kilometres, according to preliminary BMW AG tests based on the EPA’s test procedure standards. On a Level 2 charger, it will take approximately 10.5 hours to charge. That’s cut down drastically on a DC fast charger - it’ll take only ten minutes to charge up to 128 kilometres. The high-voltage battery has 101.7 kWh of usable energy.

The 760i xDrive will be powered by a more fuel efficient 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8 engine, which now has a new 48V mild hybrid technology and an electric motor integrated into the new eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. Total output is 536 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, which enables this model to hit 0-100 km/h in approximately 4.2 seconds.

On the outside, the 7 Series retains its posh, elegant looks with new lighting details including optional stunning Swarovski crystal headlights. Inside, it’s luxurious and clean with few buttons, dials and switches. Rear-seat riders get the best seat in the house thanks to new multi-contour reclining rear seats with a gap-free leg rest for the seat behind the front passenger and access to a massive, 31-inch rear theater screen with built-in Amazon Fire TV and 8K resolution. The screen drops from the ceiling via a mini, 5.5-inch tablet-like, control unit in the rear doors.

Since production of the 7 Series sedan started in 1977, BMW has sold nearly two million units globally. Zipse is banking on having the biggest boost in sales in one lifecycle with the electric i7. By the end of 2025, BMW aims to deliver more than two million fully electric vehicles globally from its entire portfolio of vehicles, not just the electric i7. It also plans to reduce its products’ total carbon footprint by 40 per cent by 2030.

The 2023 BMW i7 xDrive60 and 760i xDrive launch in Canada in Q4 of 2022. Reservations for the i7 are available at www.bmw.ca with a deposit of $5,000.