Published April 7, 2026 at 5:11 PM EST
Jon has been a journalist since 2000 and covered consumer technology in publications such as Engadget Android Authority BetaKit. He is an expert in making technology accessible, from PCs and mobiles to new platforms such as wearables. He loves to go on family adventures and he is a keen photographer.
While the 2027 BMW i7 may not represent a total Neue Klasse revamp like the iX3, it still could be a significant technological advancement. German carmaker BMW is working with Rimac Technology to integrate its Gen6 battery technology into the luxury sedan’s i7 format.
BMW will integrate its 4695 lithium-ion cylindrical cell design with existing Gen5 module technology. BMW claims that the move will result in a 20 percent increase in energy density and faster charging.
At this time, the company has not provided updated numbers. Rimac manufactures the batteries in its Croatian plant and delivers them to BMW Dingolfing’s 7 Series Factory. It has been focusing on supercars, such as its Nevera or Bugatti (acquired 2021) but the BMW partnership is a transition into “high-volume” projects. The company has long focused on boutique supercars like its own Nevera and the Bugatti badge (acquired in 2021), but sees the BMW partnership as a way to transition to”high-volume”car projects.
The 2027 BMW i7: What do we know?
BMW will unveil its 2027 i7, and the conventional 7 Series version on the 22nd of April at the Auto China 2026 Show in Beijing. It released a teaser in March that featured the car’s Neue-Klasse style light-up headlights and grille.
Most details are still under wraps.
The 7 Series will get a cockpit similar to the iX3 with a parallellogram infotainment screen and a panorama projection covering the entire dashboard. Interiors in vehicles like the iX3 may not be as dramatic.
We are quickly rolling out the technologies of the Neue Klasse across our entire model portfolio–including, of course, in our all-electric luxury sedan.
Both companies’ teams have created a solution that is tailored to the BMW i7. This excellent collaboration is an example of the innovative power in Europe.
Thomas Engelhardt Senior Vice President Development High Voltage Storage and Charging BMW Group.
Trim levels and engine options
Rumors about the BMW i7 electric vehicle
Teaser photo of headlights. Credit: BMW.
According to rumors, the i7 will be available in performance trims 50, M70, and 70.
All of these models are expected to have a battery capacity of 112.5 kWh. The initial version of the combustion engine 7 Series is rumored to be powered by an M-badged turbo V8, but future versions could include a twin-turbo diesel, a plug in hybrid, or a M-badged triple-turbo engine. Alpina 7 Series will reportedly be available in six-cylinder, V8, and i7 versions by mid-2027.
Related to
The i7 is not expected to be released until the end of this year
. It’s unclear when the larger redesign will be completed.
BMW launched the current design of its i7 in 2023. A larger redesign might take a couple more years. This collaboration was especially thrilling for us because BMW is known to push engineering to its highest levels.” said Mate Rimac, Founder and President of Rimac Group. “We developed together a high voltage battery system which unlocks the potential of new cylindrical cells within record time.