LCI Facelift 7-Series (G70) / i7 -- First Official Revealed Look!

[Wolfman64]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

Yes, I also assume they will not, but even if they don’t, I still question if it matters much in 2026. Lucid is the only company now with perfect numbers across the full package (efficiency, range, and charging time). The rest of the industry is getting better, but overall it still has not fully caught up with Lucid in that combined sense. Neue Klasse is almost there anyway as u stated, and ix3 numbers are frankly impressive but i don’t care much about that model.

No doubt that 800V is clearly the right long-term direction, but I do not think it will dramatically affect customer perception in 2026, it didn’t in 2025 and it will not in 2026.

Actually the majority of buyers do not shop by voltage architecture or even know the difference. They ask about the practical numbers: range, charging time... That is exactly why I keep saying the real question is not the achitecture, but rather how the final product performs in the real world.

For marketing and reputation it would be terrible, in the real world less as many charge at home anyways.

In Germany, driving on the Autobahn will deplete the EV much quicker and charging speed is more relevant, especially as there are many HPC chargers conveniently right by the highway and EV sales are increasing at a pretty good clip.

Home charging is also quicker with AC charging at 22KW

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by Wolfman64

For marketing and reputation it would be terrible, in the real world less as many charge at home anyways.

In Germany, driving on the Autobahn will deplete the EV much quicker and charging speed is more relevant, especially as there are many HPC chargers conveniently right by the highway and EV sales are increasing at a pretty good clip.

Home charging is also quicker with AC charging at 22KW

Fully agree… Luckily marketing labels aren’t a factor to me and am smart enough to focus on “real world” use.
I would not daily drive an EV on the autobahn anyway; been there with a Lucid and it’s terrible. In the US, I’ll continue to consider ICE/PHEV/REEV SUVs for 1000+ miles trips, personally, at least until SUV EVs can do 5-min + >300 miles juice, which neither 400 or 800V will solve anytime soon. Am completely satisified with 600 miles trips in all the EVs I had regardless of charging speed.

[Wolfman64]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

Fully agree… Luckily marketing labels aren’t a factor to me and am smart enough to focus on “real world” use.
I would not daily drive an EV on the autobahn anyway; been there with a Lucid and it’s terrible. In the US, I’ll continue to consider ICE/PHEV/REEV SUVs for 1000+ miles trips, personally, at least until SUV EVs can do 5-min + >300 miles juice, which neither 400 or 800V will solve anytime soon. Am completely satisified with 600 miles trips in all the EVs I had regardless of charging speed.

Really?
I have driven the Lucid thousands of miles on the Autobahn often at speeds between 130mph-170mph and the car is fine. The wind noise at high speeds was higher than I liked but the driving dynamics were fine.
The car is relatively unknown so we would have a good amount of speed runs; interestingly got a lot of thumbs up from Porsche drivers

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by Wolfman64

Really?
I have driven the Lucid thousands of miles on the Autobahn often at speeds between 130mph-170mph and the car is fine. The wind noise at high speeds was higher than I liked but the driving dynamics were fine.
The car is relatively unknown so we would have a good amount of speed runs; interestingly got a lot of thumbs up from Porsche drivers

You misunderstood me. Car itself is PHENOMENAL like I said earlier, but generally the idea of cruising an EV on the Autobahn and seeing the range drop “at those speeds” was what I meant by “terrible”. Otherwise I love the car. Might actually get a Gravity soon.

[Wolfman64]

I will be curious about the AMG GT EV that will be intro'd in a month.
They focus on weight, speed (battery cooling) and charging speed rather than range with a 90kw/630km battery.
If the numbers hold true (which is unknown) it held megawatt charging for 2 1/2 minutes before dropping, adding 80miles per minute. Good enough fr me

[Wolfman64]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

You misunderstood me. Car itself is PHENOMENAL like I said earlier, but generally the idea of cruising an EV on the Autobahn and seeing the range drop “at those speeds” was what I meant by “terrible”. Otherwise I love the car. Might actually get a Gravity soon.

No doubt but the Lucid GT has a longer range at full speed than a BMW G90 M5 on the Autobahn.

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by Wolfman64

I will be curious about the AMG GT EV that will be intro'd in a month.
They focus on weight, speed (battery cooling) and charging speed rather than range with a 90kw/630km battery.
If the numbers hold true (which is unknown) it held megawatt charging for 2 1/2 minutes before dropping, adding 80miles per minute. Good enough fr me

I’d be a buyer if it’s not priced as a limited run “conceptual” territory.

Originally Posted by Wolfman64

No doubt but the Lucid GT has a longer range at full speed than a BMW G90 M5 on the Autobahn.

Great point 🤣

[hufington]

The more I look at the facelift front, the weaker it looks in comparison to the original G70 front.

[SW17LS]

I would wait to draw any conclusions until we see better pictures of the actual LCI.

[Jthompson]

Originally Posted by SW17LS

Every time I see a pre LCI X7 I'm amazed by how much better it looks, and every time I see an LCI G12 7 Series its the same way.

400 miles of range or even over 350 would be a huge plus for the i7

I agree. I have a 2019 X7 that I bought new. Still love it and I think it still looks fresh. Mine is Carbon Black M-Sport on Congnac.

[rot]

I'm not speculating on 400/800 V for dhe LCI. I know it's staying with 400V from a friend who is engineer at BMW. This is the whole reason for this strange Rimarc press release about the range and battery cells.

Actually, I learned that I don't care about range. I DO care about charging speeds, though.
I hate charging the i7 above 50% as it really gets slow and therefore I also hate starting above 10% because then the time I get fast charge is so short. Always trying to drain it below 5% before starting to charge.

Obviously, a larger battery makes for a higher average charging speed. I hope that's not the only reason they tout for it.
Hopefully they integrate some more A to get to some more kW.

And btw. I understand the insider timeline this way: only the ICE versions of the nextgen 7 series have been postponed. The Neue Klasse E versions have not been postponed. And from that standpoint it makes some sense to keep the current i7 with a Gen5 architecture and not fully renovated it for only 3 years of time. It then leapfrogs directly to Gen7 edrive as probably the first car in 2029. Would make some sense to me, doesn't it?

[SW17LS]

Originally Posted by Jthompson

I agree. I have a 2019 X7 that I bought new. Still love it and I think it still looks fresh. Mine is Carbon Black M-Sport on Congnac.

And when it came out remember so many people thought it was ugly, now they look great. Same with the LCI G12.

[A_]

Originally Posted by rot

I'm not speculating on 400/800 V for dhe LCI. I know it's staying with 400V from a friend who is engineer at BMW. This is the whole reason for this strange Rimarc press release about the range and battery cells.

Actually, I learned that I don't care about range. I DO care about charging speeds, though.
I hate charging the i7 above 50% as it really gets slow and therefore I also hate starting above 10% because then the time I get fast charge is so short. Always trying to drain it below 5% before starting to charge.

Obviously, a larger battery makes for a higher average charging speed. I hope that's not the only reason they tout for it.
Hopefully they integrate some more A to get to some more kW.

And btw. I understand the insider timeline this way: only the ICE versions of the nextgen 7 series have been postponed. The Neue Klasse E versions have not been postponed. And from that standpoint it makes some sense to keep the current i7 with a Gen5 architecture and not fully renovated it for only 3 years of time. It then leapfrogs directly to Gen7 edrive as probably the first car in 2029. Would make some sense to me, doesn't it?

The new generation of the 7 Series, which was scheduled to be released in 2029, was supposed to be available only as an all-electric model, with no internal combustion engine versions. The European Union has changed the rules, and now manufacturers are beginning to shift toward continuing the use of internal combustion engines. In my opinion, the project for the new generation of the all-electric 7 Series has been postponed until 2032/2033, or perhaps they will change their plans, and the next generation of the 7 Series will be available in both internal combustion and electric versions.

[Wolfman64]

Originally Posted by rot

I'm not speculating on 400/800 V for dhe LCI. I know it's staying with 400V from a friend who is engineer at BMW. This is the whole reason for this strange Rimarc press release about the range and battery cells.

Actually, I learned that I don't care about range. I DO care about charging speeds, though.
I hate charging the i7 above 50% as it really gets slow and therefore I also hate starting above 10% because then the time I get fast charge is so short. Always trying to drain it below 5% before starting to charge.

Obviously, a larger battery makes for a higher average charging speed. I hope that's not the only reason they tout for it.
Hopefully they integrate some more A to get to some more kW.

And btw. I understand the insider timeline this way: only the ICE versions of the nextgen 7 series have been postponed. The Neue Klasse E versions have not been postponed. And from that standpoint it makes some sense to keep the current i7 with a Gen5 architecture and not fully renovated it for only 3 years of time. It then leapfrogs directly to Gen7 edrive as probably the first car in 2029. Would make some sense to me, doesn't it?

As stated before, staying at 400V would be very disappointing.

Mercedes was planning to kill off the EQS but decided to keep it for a few more years before the electric S-Class comes due to strategy alignment but also legislative changes in the EU.
They just introduced the EQS facelift today. But even though the model is EOL in short order it got the full MB.EA treatment with the EV tech used in the GLC EV, etc.

Still not a good looking car but technically properly updated with a 575 mile (926km WLTP) range. That’s likely 450 miles EPA. 800V with peak charging at 350KW to add 200 miles in 10 minutes, more power too. They also added steer by wire as an option and dropped the price by 14%. You get the full Nvidia processor/AI, Level 2++ point to point MB Drive Assist Pro, V2H, V2G and virtual battery split for 400V charging stations that charges each half at 175KW.

And it also has electric front doors like the 7 series The EQS already had that at the original launch but they were killed off due to COVID.

So I feel like Mercedes made a full-hearted effort to bring this car technically uptodate and frankly hope the same for BMW. EV's evolve so fast that tech updates should be continuous anyways...

[SW17LS]

Yep EQS facelift blows the i7 away when it comes to tech, 425 miles of range and 800v architecture, the i7 feels ancient by comparison.

Now...they made an ugly car even uglier somehow with the refresh, so I still wouldn't buy it but BMW needs to step up the tech.

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by Wolfman64

As stated before, staying at 400V would be very disappointing.

Mercedes was planning to kill off the EQS but decided to keep it for a few more years before the electric S-Class comes due to strategy alignment but also legislative changes in the EU.
They just introduced the EQS facelift today. But even though the model is EOL in short order it got the full MB.EA treatment with the EV tech used in the GLC EV, etc.

Still not a good looking car but technically properly updated with a 575 mile (926km WLTP) range. That’s likely 450 miles EPA. 800V with peak charging at 350KW to add 200 miles in 10 minutes, more power too. They also added steer by wire as an option and dropped the price by 14%. You get the full Nvidia processor/AI, Level 2++ point to point MB Drive Assist Pro, V2H, V2G and virtual battery split for 400V charging stations that charges each half at 175KW.

And it also has electric front doors like the 7 series The EQS already had that at the original launch but they were killed off due to COVID.

So I feel like Mercedes made a full-hearted effort to bring this car technically uptodate and frankly hope the same for BMW. EV's evolve so fast that tech updates should be continuous anyways...

Wait.. what am I missing here about the charing speeds….

Let’s just forget about the great 800V speeds for a moment (at least for those of us in the US since the majority of sites aren’t rated for it) and focus on the performance with 400V chargers….. Compared with the previous EQS, this is a bit ironic…. the previous EQS was a 400V car with up to 200 kW DC fast charging. So on an old 400 V fast charger, the new EQS’ stated 175 kW ceiling is actually lower than the prior EQS’ headline peak, and slower than ever other luxury EV. Am I reading this correctly? that can’t be true… The big gain is on true 800V hardware (again doesn’t matter that much for me as a buyer in the US; unless I want to be a clown here like some others jumping to wrong conclusions)…you’d need the 800V charger to get the 350 kW on a given trip, I get that, but what about the 175KW with the existing 400V superchargers? Again I feel that am missing something here? If this is true, it will make the EQS slower the previous EQS at 400V, and slower than almost evey other luxury EV, slower than current i7, and surely much slower than the LCI i7, but only better at 800V (matching Lucid and close to the Cybertruck). I hope they didn’t design it soley around 800V for those in europe and China. Majority of US superchargers are 400V. (update: I was even too optimistic; as only 0.1% of Tesla chargers are 800V), and interestingly, many of there updated/faster charger stations are locked to Tesla-cars-only as I learned recently.

Other than the vague performance with 400V chargers, I fully agree about the EQS. I saw the other detail today and they really improved the design especially the front. Frankly I’d rather be in that S, the EQS over the ICE one, better in most, but not all, ways to me personally. For the look, it won’t matter cause both look a bit boring or not so attractive to me, but honestly the EQS new front is much better than the previous. Still as u hinted, the EQS could have benefited from a more traditional styling than the egg shape. With the current features and specs, it should sell just as good or better than the previous one. SUPER surprised about the return of the electric doors when the ICE S didn’t get them. I saw videos showing that the rear doors are also electric though u said above it’s just the front.

Also, the contrast between the EQS cabin and new S is becoming much closer and more interesting now. Materials wise, the cabin materials/surfaces were good (good to the touch at least) even before this facelift, and the rear seats were luxrious. Not many changes for the EQS interior, but to me it is a replica of the S class cabin in photos. I read some BS in the past about the materials in the EQS vs the S, but that’s just non-sense from owners of other models trying to trash talk the EQS folks, as I found the materials and fit to be the same. Good or bad, I didn’t find a difference. As long as it is creaks free, the surfaces had great touch in most areas. Most EQS owners actually never had an issue with the cabin so I assume most owners would be willing to upgrade again to the new one. Looking at the screen, the bezels look smaller than the ICE one and the driver infotainment screen is well integrated with the rest of the dash as one screen; I like this one more. I think it’s a great car, but to be a great EV: I hope my understanding of the 400V charging performance is wrong!

[Wolfman64]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

Wait.. what am I missing here about the charing speeds….

Let’s just forget about the great 800V speeds for a moment (at least for those of us in the US since the majority of sites aren’t rated for it) and focus on the performance with 400V chargers….. Compared with the previous EQS, this is a bit ironic…. the previous EQS was a 400V car with up to 200 kW DC fast charging. So on an old 400 V fast charger, the new EQS’ stated 175 kW ceiling is actually lower than the prior EQS’ headline peak, and slower than ever other luxury EV. Am I reading this correctly? that can’t be true… The big gain is on true 800V hardware (again doesn’t matter that much for me as a buyer in the US; unless I want to be a clown here like some others)…you’d need the 800V charger to get the 350 kW on a given trip, I get that, but what about the 175KW with the existing 400V superchargers? Again I feel that am missing something here? If this is true, it will make the EQS slower the previous EQS at 400V, and slower than almost evey other luxury EV, but only better at 800V (matching Lucid and close to the Cybertruck). I hope they didn’t design it soley around 800V for those in europe and China. About 75-85% of US superchargers are 400V. Tesla has the majority of the remaining 800V capable chargers, and interesntingly, many of these lower % sites are locked to Tesla-cars-only as I learned recently although only Cybertruck can benefit from that.

Other than the vague performance with 400V chargers, I fully agree about the EQS. I saw the other detail today and they really improved the design especially the front. Frankly I’d rather be in that S, the EQS over the ICE one, better in most, but not all, ways to me personally. For the look, it won’t matter cause both look a bit boring or not so attractive to me, but honestly the EQS new front is much better than the previous. Still as u hinted, the EQS could have benefited from a more traditional styling than the egg shape. With the current features and specs, it should sell just as good or better than the previous one. SUPER surprised about the return of the electric doors when the ICE S didn’t get them. I saw videos showing that the rear doors are also electric though u said above it’s just the front.

Also, the contrast between the EQS cabin and new S is becoming much closer and more interesting now. Materials wise, the cabin materials/surfaces were good (good to the touch at least) even before this facelift, and the rear seats were luxrious. Not many changes for the EQS interior, but to me it is a replica of the S class cabin in photos. I read some BS in the past about the materials in the EQS vs the S, but that’s just non-sense from owners of other models trying to trash talk the EQS folks, as I found the materials and fit to be the same. Good or bad, I didn’t find a difference. As long as it is creaks free, the surfaces had great touch in most areas. Most EQS owners actually never had an issue with the cabin so I assume most owners would be willing to upgrade again to the new one. Looking at the screen, the bezels look smaller than the ICE one and the driver infotainment screen is well integrated with the rest of the dash as one screen; I like this one more. I think it’s a great car, but to be a great EV: I hope my understanding of the 400V charging performance is wrong!

You got it.
Just like all new BMW Neue Klasse models as well. All new EV's will charge slower on old charging stations. This is brand independent. I think Lucid Gravity (900V) has the best tech to deal with the ancient Tesla chargers and can squeeze a bit over 200KW out of that.

No manufacturer in their right mind will limit their innovation to the pace of the US charger rollout. There are companies like Ionna & Mercedes HPC that actually are building modern stations in the US but most benefits will be the longer range, faster AC home charging and V2H (Vehicle to Home) connections.

That said, my point wasn't necessarily the specs of the EQS rather the effort they took to bring their cars to the latest standard.
If the i7 will stay at 400V it will make BMW not only look bad and antique on paper but will deliver a high risk of extreme depreciation. Nobody in their right mind would buy a used i7 LCI in 2030 when cars offered at the time will be 800/900/1000+V cars and charging stations will catch up, even in the US.

Re. the doors you are right. I forgot that the original EQS in 2022 had all comfort doors already. My question is the same for the S-Class but I find this to be such a simple add-on that I expect Mercedes to offer that later. Maybe next MY. Interesting is also that some old EQS models actually have the comfort doors installed but not activated. In that case, the cars can be coded to get 4 electric doors

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by Wolfman64

You got it.
Just like all new BMW Neue Klasse models as well. All new EV's will charge slower on old charging stations. This is brand independent. I think Lucid Gravity (900V) has the best tech to deal with the ancient Tesla chargers and can squeeze a bit over 200KW out of that.

No manufacturer in their right mind will limit their innovation to the pace the US charger rollout.

That’s a BUMMER!!!!
Congrats to those in europe and other side of the world though!

[Wolfman64]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

That’s a BUMMER!!!!
Congrats to those in europe and other side of the world though!

It's a shame that politics impact the pace of innovation in the US. Never understood the rationale...
For luxury cars, electric motors are just superior drive trains.

Think of Tesla which was a true innovator years ago. Now, the only updated EV tech is in the Cybertruck which accounts for what, 1% of sales?
Same for the Supercharger network. Once a game changer, the network also feel like its not getting a lot of love. Only 0.1% of all Tesla chargers are 800V.

So in time that leverage will also wither away...

[SW17LS]

I don't at all like the connected headlights and ovular grille thing MB is doing with some of their EVs, including what they have done to this EQS, a'la CLA:



IMO the pre refresh EQS was much better looking in the front, and the W223 much better looking still

[Streamliner]

Originally Posted by Wolfman64

…………….
And it also has electric front doors like the 7 series The EQS already had that at the original launch but they were killed off due to COVID………...

Interesting. I wonder if this might allow the driver to completely avoid having to deal with the MB “pop-out” handles? Whenever I think of possibly going back to MB, I cringe at the thought of dealing with those unnecessary, overly complicated and—in my opinion—truly ridiculous exterior door handles.

As for 400 vs 800 volt, I have no concern about this, as I would never want to actually own an EV in these times when the technology is improving so rapidly. For an EV right now, leasing is the only way to go.

[Wolfman64]

Originally Posted by Streamliner

Interesting. I wonder if this might allow the driver to completely avoid having to deal with the MB “pop-out” handles? Whenever I think of possibly going back to MB, I cringe at the thought of dealing with those unnecessary, overly complicated and—in my opinion—truly ridiculous exterior door handles.

As for 400 vs 800 volt, I have no concern about this, as I would never want to actually own an EV in these times when the technology is improving so rapidly. For an EV right now, leasing is the only way to go.

The answer is yes for the doors. You can set them to open on approach.

I am not going to post any MB videos here but you can search for Mercedes EQS comfort doors (select SUV).

Agree that in the U.S. the 400v vs 800v isn’t a big deal but it will be in China.
But that doesn’t matter for the i7 as they sell less than a 1000 units a year.

As for door handles, consider yourself lucky as other BMW models get the same pull out handles, like the new X5 and likely X7.