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Australia’s CarExpert and Joe Achilles teamed up to compare BMW’s latest offerings, the i7 and 740i. This flagship face-off pits an electric 7 Series against a six-cylinder variant. Despite both models being at the forefront of BMW’s innovative range, they have notable differences. The comparison begins with a 540-mile journey from Melbourne to Sydney, Australia, featuring the BMW i7 M70 and the 740i. The goal is to determine which model makes the most sense for customers.
The BMW i7 M70 is the third electric M Performance model, following the i4 M50 and iX M60. It boasts 650 horsepower and 811 pound-feet (1,100 Newton meters) of torque, surpassing its predecessors. This peak torque is achievable only with M Launch Control or M Sport Boost functions activated. Even in Sport mode, it delivers an impressive 748 lb-ft (1,015 Nm) of torque.
The i7 M70 features a substantial underbody-installed battery pack with a usable capacity of 101.7 kWh. It can DC charge at speeds of up to 195 kW, allowing a 10% to 80% charge in just 34 minutes. Additionally, it can AC charge up to 22 kW in Europe. It charges up to 11 kW in the US, thanks to a standard 32 Amp onboard charger. When equipped with 21-inch wheels, the BMW i7 M70 achieves an EPA-rated range of 291 miles. It complies with more lenient WLTP standards in Europe, offering a range of 303 to 348 miles (488 to 560 kilometres).
The BMW i7 M70 had to take either one extended break or two shorter ones to replenish its high-voltage energy storage unit. In contrast, the BMW 740i completed the entire journey without requiring refuelling. The BMW 740i achieves an average consumption of 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres (34.5 mpg) over a distance of 610 kilometres (457 miles). At the same time, other vehicles exhibit an energy consumption figure of 22.4 kWh per 100 kilometres (equivalent to approximately 93.49 MPGe).
In summary, the 873 km (542 miles) trip added an extra two hours and ten minutes to the i7 M70’s journey, while the traditional ICE-powered vehicle needed only a brief five-minute stop at a petrol station. Both cars maintained an average speed of approximately 110 km/h. The total cost for the EV was $131.92 (Australian dollars), whereas the 740i cost $117.88. Given these statistics, which version would you prefer to buy?
