BMW "entry-level" i7 EV makes 455 PS

After making its global debut last year, the all-new BMW 7 Series officially landed in the Philippines two months ago. Now on its 7^th generation, the full-size luxury sedan is now available as an electric vehicle (EV) dubbed the i7.

In the local market, the i7 is available (for now) in the xDrive60 variant. It has a pair of electric motors that deliver a total system output of 544 PS and 745 Nm of torque. It also has a 101.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that gives the luxury sedan a maximum range of around 590 to 625 km on a full charge. From a standstill, the i7 xDrive60 can go from 0 – 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds.

Impressive, but with a price tag of PHP 10.39 million, this fully decked-out electric luxury sedan is not for the faint-hearted. But what if you prefer your electric 7 Series with just one electric motor driving the wheels?

This is the 2023 BMW i7 eDrive50, and it will be available in Europe starting in July 2023. While the exterior and interior design remains the same, it only has a single electric motor powering the rear wheels. Despite its single-motor setup, BMW says the eDrive50 generates an impressive 455 PS and 650 Nm of torque. It can go from 0 – 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 205 km/h.

BMW has yet to reveal the battery capacity of the i7 eDrive50. However, they did say that it has an estimated cruising range of around 575 to 611 km on a full charge.

With Europe set to get it first, it might be a while before it becomes available to other markets like the Philippines. Should it actually be offered here, would you get it over the more powerful i7 xDrive60?