Technically, this is the new 740 because Grand Central Station wouldn't let BMW bring the i7 inside, but both the ICE and electric models look nearly identical.

(Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

Big, fancy executive sedans are a dying breed, especially when it comes to EVs. With the Tesla Model S and Mercedes' EQ line on their way out, pickings are slim. Aside from the upcoming S-Class, there's the Lucid Air, Cadillac Celestiq and maybe the Porsche Taycan, depending on how far you're willing to stretch the definition. But as the market leader in luxury sedans, BMW isn't giving up yet. With the arrival of the new 7-series, the company has made a car — with a complete range of gas, hybrid and fully electric options — that truly embraces modern gadgetry.

Overview

Because we're EV enthusiasts here at Engadget, we're primarily going to talk about the new i7, which is the battery-powered version of the new 7 series. Unfortunately, due to building regulations at Grand Central Station in NYC where BMW's reveal was held, the company was only allowed to showcase a gas-powered car, so this story features photos of the 740. However, company representatives told me that there are mostly only minor cosmetic differences between the ICE and EV models (powertrains aside), so feel free to compare my shots with the official press images to see if you can spot any changes.

Between things like its grille and recessed door handles, the new 7-series looks more like an EV than a gas car. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

As for the i7 itself, it will be available in three main trims: the i750 xDrive, the i760 xDrive and the i7 M70 xDrive, the latter of which is the fastest and most powerful of the bunch. Pricing starts at $105,750 for the i750 and $126,250 for the i760, both of which will be available at launch sometime later this year. The i7 M70 will come later, most likely in 2027, with pricing still TBD.

Every model will come standard with a dual-motor AWD drivetrain with the base i750 offering 455 horsepower or 544hp on the i760, before going all the way up to a whopping 680hp on the i7 M70. Compared to the outgoing models, the new 2027 i7 also features a significantly larger power pack (112.4kWh, up from 105.7kWh) composed of BMW's new sixth-gen battery cells. This helps support faster charging speeds of 250kW (up from 195kW) along with a native NACS port and a 400-volt architecture, which is good enough to take the car from 10 to 80 percent in around 28 minutes. The upgraded batteries should also translate into longer range, with BMW claiming the i760 will deliver more than 350 miles on a single charge, based on internal metrics using EPA testing procedures.

On the new 2027 models, BMW extended the 7-series' taillights to give its rear a more distinctive appearance. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

Finally, as we're still waiting for the iX3 to make its official debut in the US market, the new 7-series is also BMW's first car for the States to feature the company's Neue Klasse design language, which features a massively upgraded collection of tech on the inside. More on that when we get to the interior.

Exterior

One of the most interesting things about the new 7-series is that it was designed to have essentially the same exterior regardless of which powertrain each individual model has. BMW claims this not only makes it easier for customers to choose if they want a gas, hybrid or electric car, it also presents a more unified look across the family. That said, there are a number of features like the grille and recessed door handles that make BMW's latest luxury sedan look more like an electric car than a traditional ICE vehicle. I even noticed that on the gas-powered 740 BMW had on display, its tail pipes were pointed down and hidden away behind the car's rear bumper, which plays into the various models' shared identity. That said, on M Sport models and the M Performance variant due out next year, things like tailpipes will be much more prominent to help assuage the kind of enthusiasts who aren't ready for the transition to electrification.

BMW says buyers can choose from hundreds of different shades including a new option that combines a matte and traditional glossy finish.

The base i750 will start at around $105,000.

While the grille makes the new 7-series look like an EV, ICE models will have active aero to allow for better airflow.

BMW's new crystal headlights are simply gorgeous.

The new 7-series will be available with a range of gas, hybrid and EV powertrains.

One feature BMW seemingly borrowed from its EVs on the new 7-series is recessed door handles.

The i7 will feature a dual-motor AWD as standard.

Despite its various drivetrains, the 7-series has a single unified design across every model.

The 7-series kidney-shaped grille also comes with built-in lighting that even supports custom Hello and Goodbye animations.

Starting with this model, the 7-series features up

2027 BMW i7 first look: A fantastically techy car for the 1 percent