BMW i7, BMW i4, BMW iX1, and BMW iX model update measures for summer 2023

New model variants and innovations in the areas of electrification and digitalization are set to further increase the appeal and diversity of the BMW product range from summer 2023. At the pinnacle of the model portfolio, the arrival of a third variant of the all-electric BMW i7 expands the brand’s offering in the luxury segment. At the same time, the Multi-Contract Plug & Charge and MAX RANGE functions will now be available for all BMW i7 and BMW iX model variants, making electric mobility even more convenient.

The highlight as far as digitalization is concerned is the introduction of the upgraded BMW iDrive featuring QuickSelect and BMW Operating System 8.5 for a large number of current models. The capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will also be enhanced once again for these models in the summer of 2023. The new exterior colors and upholstery variants for several of the current models will offer additional scope for customization. Meanwhile, the M Sport package Pro will be added to the choice of optional extras for the BMW iX1.

It has taken just a few months for the all-electric BMW i7 to establish itself as the epitome of progressive drive technology in the luxury segment worldwide. From July 2023, the new BMW i7 eDrive50 (electric power consumption combined: 20.3 – 19.1 kWh/100 km in the WLTP cycle) will offer customers another way to enjoy supreme long-distance comfort combined with trailblazing innovations and emission-free driving pleasure. The third model variant in the BMW i7 line-up comes with the latest BMW eDrive technology in the form of a highly integrated electric drive unit delivering maximum output of 335 kW/455 hp and peak torque of 650 Nm (479 lb-ft).

This enables the new BMW i7 eDrive50 to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 205 km/h (127 mph). Thanks to its highly efficient electric motor and the outstanding energy density of its high-voltage battery, the new BMW i7 eDrive50 achieves a WLTP-calculated range of 575 – 611 kilometres (357 – 380 miles).

To coincide with the ongoing expansion of the all-electric model line-up, new functions are being made available for all BMW i7 and BMW iX variants in summer 2023 that will make enjoying locally emission-free driving pleasure even easier and more convenient. The Multi-Contract Plug & Charge function will be added to the BMW Charging portfolio, enabling automatic vehicle authentication at public charging points. The exchange of data between vehicle and charging point does away with the need for a charging card or app. As the amount of electricity fed into the high-voltage battery is also billed automatically, Plug & Charge makes recharging even more straightforward than refuelling conventionally powered vehicles. The BMW Group is the first carmaker in the world to incorporate multi-contract functionality into this new feature. Customers are able to store their individual vehicle electricity contracts from multiple suppliers in digital form in their car, allowing them to use the charging points of these operators with the greatest of ease. The new Multi-Contract Plug & Charge function can be made available via Remote Software Upgrade for all BMW i7 models manufactured since July 2022 and all BMW iX models built since March 2023.

The MAX RANGE function for the electric drive system in the BMW i7 and BMW iX is also new and gives drivers greater flexibility when looking for a public charging station. It is operational in the My Mode Efficient and can be used to increase range by up to 25 per cent by both limiting drive power and top speed and scaling back comfort functions. The MAX RANGE function was mainly devised for situations where drivers are unable to recharge mid-journey as originally planned because, for example, the charging station they were heading for is out of service. Activating the MAX RANGE function extends the range by a comfortable margin for the journey to an alternative charging point for the high-voltage battery. This is achieved by, among other things, limiting the vehicle’s top speed to 90 km/h (56 mph) at the same time as disabling features such as the climate control, seat heating and steering wheel heating. The new MAX RANGE function can be made available via Remote Software Upgrade for all BMW i7 models manufactured since July 2022 and all BMW iX models built since March 2023.

The high-voltage battery in the BMW iX can now also be charged more efficiently thanks to the same upgraded charging software already used in the BMW i7. Here, careful control of the charging rate results in shorter charging times. The new charging software can also be imported into all BMW iX models manufactured since March 2023 via Remote Software Upgrade.

In addition to this, the various digital services offered for charging the high-voltage battery will be enhanced for all electrified BMW models in summer 2023. When searching for charging points in the navigation system, for instance, the entries for several stations within a single charging park will now be combined. In the future, the charging history will also show the total costs for a month and allow charging operations to be filtered by location.

The BMW Maps navigation system will also offer improved functions for calculating a charging-optimised route in the all-electric BMW i7, BMW iX, BMW i4 and BMW iX1 models. The driver’s preferred minimum charge level for when the vehicle reaches mid-journey stops and the final destination can now be adjusted in increments of five per cent and incorporated into the route planning. In the future, the system will also be able to give preference to charging stations operated by selected providers and exclude others from the route planning at the customer’s request. In addition, the user is given even more detailed information on their selected charging stations, including availability at that moment in time, the connector types supported and payment options, plus the presence of sanitary facilities, food outlets or playgrounds in their vicinity. The new charging-optimised route planning functions can also be retrofitted via Remote Software Upgrade.

The upgraded BMW iDrive with QuickSelect is being rolled out with BMW Operating System 8.5 across additional models. The latest generation of BMW iDrive brings a newly designed home screen and QuickSelect functionality to make selecting and operating numerous functions and digital services even more intuitive and comfortable. This also brings an improved menu structure that takes its cues from consumer electronics devices plus a range of new digital services and apps.

By showing the right information in the right place, the new BMW iDrive helps to deliver a focused, assured driving experience. BMW iDrive with QuickSelect also teams up with the BMW Curved Display and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, and so focuses squarely on operation using the touchscreen and natural language.

In all BMW models that are equipped with BMW Operating System 8.5 or can be upgraded with the system, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will gain additional skills from summer 2023. Depending on the vehicle specification and the driving situation, the digital companion will be able to suggest deactivating the speed limiting function, switching to Sport mode or activating the Assisted Driving Modes. Naturally formulated spoken instructions can also be used to adjust the seat position. In fully electric models with the relevant specification, the MAX RANGE function can be activated and the BMW IconicSounds Electric controlled with just a single spoken command.

Added to which, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will now be able to proactively explain previously unused functions to the driver, including storing favourite radio stations and using spoken commands to adjust the air conditioning or the brightness of the BMW Curved Display. The graphic depicting the digital companion during exchanges with the car’s occupants now gains ten additional transformation symbols.

From July 2023, the range of optional equipment available for the new BMW iX1 will now include a model-specific M Sport package Pro. This option will be offered as an extension of the M Sport package and helps to shine an even brighter spotlight on the dynamic character of the compact Sports Activity Vehicle. This new option includes extended M High-gloss Shadowline trim, the M rear spoiler, the M Sport braking system with red or – if desired – dark blue callipers, plus M seat belts. Specifying the optional Adaptive LED Headlights also brings M lights Shadowline.

New upholstery variants available from July 2023 will underscore the premium character inside the new BMW iX1. Seat surfaces in Veganza perforated trim can be ordered as an option for these models. This vegan surface material with leather-like properties can be specified in Black, Mocha or Oyster. The M Alcantara/Veganza combination in Black with blue contrast stitching is also available for cars with the M Sport package.