2026 BMW 7 Series and i7 Facelifts Launched in India at ₹1.95 Crore

BMW India has launched the updated 7 Series and its all-electric counterpart, the i7, with prices starting at ₹1.95 crore. The refreshed flagship sedans receive exterior revisions, an extensively redesigned digital cockpit and upgraded powertrains.

The most significant development is the commencement of local assembly of the BMW i7 50 xDrive at the BMW Group Plant in Chennai. India is now the only country outside Germany where BMW’s flagship electric sedan is produced.

2026 BMW 7 Series and i7 Prices

The BMW 740 xDrive and i7 50 xDrive are assembled in India from completely knocked-down kits. The range-topping i7 M70 xDrive continues to be imported as a completely built unit.

An interesting aspect of the pricing is that BMW has positioned the locally assembled 740 xDrive and i7 50 xDrive at an identical ₹1.95 crore. This gives flagship-luxury buyers a direct choice between petrol and electric propulsion without an additional upfront premium for the EV.

Updated Exterior Design

The facelifted 7 Series retains the imposing proportions of the outgoing model but introduces several detail changes.

The front receives slimmer LED daytime-running lights, vertically positioned main headlamps, an illuminated kidney grille and a more sculpted bumper. BMW has also introduced new 20-inch alloy wheels, while the performance-oriented i7 M70 can be specified with wheels measuring up to 21 inches.

At the rear, the slimmer LED tail lamps extend further towards the BMW roundel. A cleaner bumper design and concealed exhaust outlets give the sedan a more streamlined appearance.

Despite the styling changes, the overall dimensions remain substantial:

New Panoramic Digital Cockpit

The biggest transformation is visible inside the cabin. BMW has replaced the conventional driver display with its new Panoramic Vision system, which projects driving information across the lower section of the windscreen.

A new 17.9-inch central infotainment screen dominates the dashboard, while the front passenger receives a separate 14.6-inch display. The system runs BMW Operating System X and supports connected services, voice commands and over-the-air software updates.

A newly designed four-spoke steering wheel and revised ambient-lighting elements further distinguish the facelifted model.

Rear-seat passengers continue to receive one of the most elaborate entertainment arrangements available in a production car. A roof-mounted 31.3-inch 8K Theatre Screen converts the rear cabin into a private cinema. Adjustable rear seats with calf support, powered doors and touch-sensitive door displays strengthen the chauffeur-driven positioning of the car.

Other major equipment includes:

• Four-zone automatic climate control

• Panoramic glass roof

• 3D head-up display

• Digital inside rear-view mirror

• Electrically adjustable seats

• Powered doors

• Multiple cabin-lighting themes

• 1,965-watt, 36-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system

• Level 2 advanced driver-assistance systems

• 360-degree camera

• Front and rear parking sensors

• Electronic stability control

• Tyre-pressure monitoring system

BMW 740 xDrive: Petrol Powertrain

The India-specification BMW 740 xDrive uses a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive.

The updated engine produces more power and torque than the previous version while retaining the smooth six-cylinder configuration traditionally associated with BMW’s flagship sedan.

BMW i7 50 xDrive: 728km Claimed Range

The locally assembled i7 50 xDrive receives a larger 112.5kWh battery and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system.

BMW claims that the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in approximately 28 minutes using a compatible 250kW DC fast charger.

The 728km WLTP figure represents a substantial improvement in long-distance capability and places the i7 among the longest-range luxury electric cars offered in India.

BMW i7 M70 xDrive: Flagship EV Performance

The i7 M70 xDrive sits at the top of the range and combines the larger battery with a considerably more powerful dual-motor setup.

Despite its size and luxury-focused character, the i7 M70 can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds.

Rivals in India

The petrol-powered BMW 7 Series primarily competes with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The electric i7 is positioned against models such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS, while the performance-oriented M70 also overlaps with high-end electric performance cars including the Porsche Taycan.

Auto Punditz Take

Local assembly is the most important part of this launch. BMW has priced the i7 50 xDrive at exactly the same ₹1.95 crore as the petrol-powered 740 xDrive, removing the conventional acquisition-price disadvantage associated with an electric flagship.

The choice now depends less on purchase price and more on the buyer’s intended usage. The 740 xDrive retains the convenience and familiarity of a petrol powertrain, while the i7 50 xDrive offers stronger performance, lower local emissions and a claimed 728km range.

For BMW, local production could also improve the i7’s availability and strengthen its position in India’s small but expanding flagship-electric-sedan market. The ₹2.65 crore i7 M70 remains a specialised performance offering, while the locally assembled i7 50 xDrive is likely to account for the majority of electric 7 Series demand.