The improvements in the full 7 Series were achieved through measures including the use of secondary aluminum in cast components and recycled plastics, and by increasing the proportion of power from renewable sources used in vehicle production.

Like the BMW eDrive technology on the plug-in hybrid of the new BMW 7 Series, the intelligent lightweight design featuring carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) is also based on expertise forged in the development of BMW i cars.

The body structure with Carbon Core, first presented in the new BMW 7 Series, is the result of the BMW Group’s know-how in the industrial use of CFRP in the automotive industry. Experience gathered at BMW i has also been used in the model-specific configuration of the electrical machine, power electronics and lithium-ion high-voltage battery. Customers can rely on innovative products and mobility services originally developed for BMW i cars, such as the BMW i Charging Station and the ChargeNow service, for charging the high-voltage battery at home and during a journey.

The BMW eDrive technology has been tailored specifically for the plug-in hybrid member of the new BMW 7 Series family. The electric boost function provides a noticeable increase in dynamic performance and combines with enhanced efficiency.

Engine. The combustion engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology belongs to the BMW Group’s new EfficientDynamics engine family. The 255 hp unit delivers peak torque of 295 lb-ft (400 N·m) on tap between 1,550 rpm and 4,400 rpm.

The new engine makes use of a TwinScroll turbocharger integrated into the cast-steel exhaust manifold, High Precision Injection with a maximum pressure of 200 bar, the latest version of VALVETRONIC variable valve lift and variable camshaft control on both the intake and exhaust sides (Double-VANOS). Balancer shafts with rolling bearing supports in the aluminum crankcase enhance the engine’s refinement, while the electrically controlled wastegate for the turbocharger optimizes power delivery.

Electronically switchable engine mounts provide the connection with the body. These mounts smooth out the vibrations caused by the engine as required, ensuring that all occupants experience exceptionally low vibration levels and the engine delivers outstanding refinement.

Since the iPerformance variant of the luxury sedan come with a specific, extremely powerful starter motor for the combustion engine and a compressor for the climate control system that operates using energy from the high-voltage battery, the gasoline engine is equipped with a special belt drive. This removes the need to integrate the generator and refrigerant compressor as required in conventionally powered vehicles. A large proportion of the engine’s output and torque available to be converted into dynamic performance.

Electric machine. Based on the principle of a permanently excited synchronous motor, the electric drive system stands out with its linear power delivery up into the higher reaches of the rev range and its exceptionally high level of efficiency. Its maximum output is 111 hp with peak torque of 184 lb-ft (249 N·m). The electrical machine also takes on the role of a generator – powered, depending on the hybrid function selected, either by recuperating energy on the overrun and under braking or by efficiently raising the engine’s load points. It then feeds the energy it generates into the high-voltage battery.

The electrical machine is fully integrated into the car’s 8-speed Steptronic transmission. This integration also means the transmission does not require a torque converter (enabling a reduction in weight), while the electrical machine takes over the function of the starter element.

The transmission’s broad spread of ratios helps the car quick acceleration figures but also promotes low energy consumption when driving at higher speeds. Gearshift paddles on the steering wheel are standard, enabling the driver to make manual gear selections with exceptional swiftness and the greatest of ease.

The combustion engine and electric drive system bring a combined system output of 322 hp and combined peak torque of 369 lb-ft (500 N·m). The BMW 740e xDrive iPerformance dashes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (249.5 km/h).

High-voltage lithium-ion battery. The compact high-voltage lithium-ion battery in the BMW 740e xDrive iPerformance has a gross capacity of 9.2 kWh (net capacity: 6.5 kWh). It consists of 96 cells arranged in six modules and has its own cooling system integrated into the climate control system for the interior.

The high-voltage battery was developed specifically for this model and is accommodated underneath the rear seat bench in a space-saving position that also ensures optimum crash safety. As in its BMW 7 Series siblings, the trunk area of the new BMW iPerformance variant also benefits from a level surface and high-convenience practicality.

It provides 14.8 ft³ of space—exceeding that of comparable plug-in hybrid models in the luxury sedan segment—while extra capacity can be gained by using the storage compartment underneath the load compartment floor, lowering the cover in the rear section of the trunk or opening the side storage compartments.

The energy flow between the high-voltage battery, electrical machine and charger is controlled by power electronics also developed specifically for this iPerformance model. The power electronics also regulate the supply of energy from the high-voltage battery to the 12V onboard electrical system via a voltage transformer.

BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system. BMW eDrive can be combined with a large number of combustion engines and model-specific drive configurations. The BMW 740e xDrive iPerformance follows the same concept as the BMW X5 xDrive40e iPerformance Sports Activity Vehicle as the brand’s second model to distribute its power permanently to all four wheels in all drive combinations.

An electronically controlled multi-plate clutch enables the fully variable distribution of the engine’s power between the front and rear wheels. By linking up with DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), the xDrive system can act in advance to counter understeer or oversteer and direct the power from the engine and electrical machine to optimize handling dynamics at all times.

Individualized powertrain configurations. The eDrive button on the center console allows the driver to select from the AUTO eDRIVE, MAX eDRIVE and Battery Control settings, to determine the operating approach of the plug-in hybrid drive system.

AUTO eDRIVE, which is automatically activated when the vehicle starts up, uses intelligent energy management to ensure the combustion engine and electrical machine work together to the best possible effect in terms of both efficiency and dynamics. The operating strategy defaults to all-electric mode at low and moderate speeds to utilize the advantages of locally emission-free mobility as widely as possible. The combustion engine only joins in at a speed of 50 mph (80.5 km/h) or under heavy throttle applications. The electrical machine ensures the switch from pure-electric to hybrid mode takes place extremely smoothly.

The electric drive system also delivers additional torque through its boost function allowing instantaneous throttle responses and a noticeable increase in pulling power at all times. The electric assist function enables a targeted lowering of the engine’s load points when greater power is needed, and that enhances the system’s efficiency. Whenever the navigation system’s route guidance function is activated, proactive energy management adapts the drive system’s operating strategy to optimize efficiency. It also ensures the high-voltage battery has sufficient charge remaining to reach the selected destination in pure-electric driving mode.

In MAX eDRIVE, the car is powered exclusively by the electrical machine, although the combustion engine can be activated at any time by pushing the accelerator into kickdown.

The Battery Control setting allows the charge of the high-voltage battery to be set manually. The driver can input a target value between 30-100% of maximum charge, which is then available for pure-electric driving later in the journey. Depending on the driver’s requirements, the charge of the high-voltage battery is maintained at a constant level or—using the electrical machine’s generator function—increased to the target charge level selected. For example, electric power can be held back or even increased while on the highway so that it can be deployed subsequently for locally emission-free driving. This strategy allows the use of electric energy in a targeted manner and at the desired time.

Regardless of the setting selected via the eDrive button, when the gearshift lever is moved into the S position the engine turns on as required to ensure the maximum combined output of the two drive systems is permanently available.

Driving Dynamics Control switch with ADAPTIVE mode. The iPerformance model of the new BMW 7 Series is also fitted as standard with the newly designed Driving Dynamics Control switch on the center console. At the touch of a button, the driver can activate a vehicle setting that optimizes dynamics, comfort or efficiency. Their selection adjusts the characteristics of the accelerator and steering, the gearshift profile of the Steptronic transmission and the responses of the Dynamic Damper Control system. The range of characters encompassed by the ECO PRO, COMFORT and SPORT modes are even more clearly defined than with conventionally powered vehicles.

COMFORT mode provides the plug-in hybrid BMW 7 Series model with a smoothly balanced overall set-up. In this mode, the electrical machine delivers relaxed driving with the lowest possible energy consumption. In SPORT mode the power of both the combustion engine and the electrical machine team up to provide a firmer damper setting, increased accelerator response, sharper gear shift dynamics and direct steering characteristics to maximize dynamic performance. The electric boost function is also increased, as is recuperation under braking and on the overrun.

The hybrid-specific version of the ECO PRO mode supports an operating strategy which aims to maximize the car’s electric range. As a result, the electric boost function supplementing the power of the combustion engine is only activated if the accelerator is pushed into kickdown. Energy recuperation on overrun also takes a limited strategy. Instead, a hybrid-specific coasting function is triggered at speeds between 25-100 mph. As soon as the driver releases the accelerator, the combustion engine is switched off. In addition, recuperation of braking energy is reduced to the level required by the onboard power supply. The car therefore runs on the minimum possible energy consumption and with the lowest possible mechanical resistance. As with the other models in the new BMW 7 Series, ECO PRO mode features precisely measured power control for electrically operated convenience functions, such as the climate control system, seat heating and exterior mirror heating.

The Driving Dynamics Control switch also offers drivers of plug-in hybrid variants of the new BMW 7 Series the option of selecting ADAPTIVE mode. In this setting, the car adapts to the driver’s style and route profile, taking their cues from movements in the steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedal, as well as from the position of the gearshift lever (D or S position). The navigation system’s map data is used to ensure the right set-up option is made available when the driver switches from city driving to highway, for example, as well as on twisty sections of road or when approaching an intersection.

BMW 360° Electric Lifestyle. The high-voltage battery on the 7 Series iPerformance can be charged from most dedicated standard household outlets (120V), or for more convenience, a BMW Charging Station designed for quicker charge time at home. On the go, drivers can easily access participating public charging stations using the ChargeNow access card included in every BMW 740e xDrive (in the glovebox). The BMW 740e xDrive iPerformance comes standard with a Level 1 charging cable (“Occasional Use Cable” “OUC”), which is stored in a bag and can be held in place using a tension belt on the left-hand side of the trunk.

The battery can be charged to full capacity in under 7 hours from a residential 120V outlet using the OUC, while tailor-made solutions enabling safe, straightforward charging are available through BMW 360° Electric Lifestyle, such as the BMW Installation Services and BMW Solar Energy programs. The BMW Charging Station uses its output of 3.6kW - 7.2 kW (16/32 A, 240 V) to reduce charging time to just under three hours, to wake up to a fully charged vehicle each day. The progress of the charging process can be tracked via a graphic in the car’s instrument cluster or the BMW Connected app on a smartphone.

ChargeNow, the public charging program for BMW drivers, grants single-card access to partner public charging stations, while the BMW Solar Energy Program allows the driver to fuel the vehicle and the home with clean, renewable solar energy.