BMW 7 Series: Do PH customers prefer 735i or i7 EV?

Three months ago, BMW distributor SMC Asia Cars Distributors Corp. officially revealed the all-new 7 Series. For the first time in the vehicle's history, the full-size luxury sedan is available with an internal combustion engine (ICE) or with a pair of electric motors which makes it an EV.

For those that still swear by ICE, there's the 735i Excellence which comes with a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo that makes 286 PS with 425 Nm of torque and is paired with an 8-speed automatic. For those that prefer the EV, the i7 xDrive60 has two electric motors that produce a combined system output of 544 PS and 745 Nm of torque. On a full charge, BMW claims the i7 can cover between 590 to 625 km.

With two types of powertrain to choose from, customers with deep pockets can essentially choose between ICE and electric power. But which of the two is more popular with customers? During the launch of the 2023 3 Series Touring, we were able to sit down with SMC Asia Cars Distributors Corp president Spencer Yu and ask which 7 Series is the best-seller.

According to the executive, both the 735i and i7 are doing well considering that it's one of the top models. Overall, however, Yu said that they were surprised that how quickly their customers are adapting to EVs. He added that they are excited at the prospect of the EV market growing even further.

“I think at the moment it's a combination of both. Both are actually doing very well considering that it's one of the top models. But overall, we are pleasantly surprised by how quickly Filipinos are adapting to EVs. It's much more than what we had anticipated so we're very excited about that and the prospects of growing the EV market further,” said Yu.

With BMW offering a wide range of EVs that include the i7, iX, and the iX3, the brand is set to expand its offering of electric vehicles in the future. Yu has yet to say which exact models are coming but he did say that they currently have no plans to bring the iX1 to the country.

If you're the type that can afford the all-new 7 Series, will you go for the 735i Excellence that's currently selling for PHP 8.99 million, or the i7 xDrive 60 that's retailing for PHP 10.390 million?