BMW i7 undergoes driving dynamics testing in Sweden’s winter landscape

MANILA: In preparation for the launch of the BMW i7 in the coming year, the BMW Group conducted a driving dynamics testing for the world’s first all-electric luxury sedan at the company's winter test center in Arjeplog, Sweden.

The BMW Group is accelerating the transition to electric mobility by consistently expanding its portfolio to new vehicle segments. The BMW i7’s recent driving dynamics testing is part of its series development process. Test engineers discovered frozen surfaces and snow-covered roads just a few kilometers from the Arctic Circle, providing ideal preconditions for the combined application of all drive and suspension systems. They paved the way for a new concept of luxury driving pleasure with the test program held in the freezing weather. For the first time in the luxury class, drivers will be able to enjoy the best of BMW performance, comfort, and dominance with zero local emissions.

The suspension components, steering and braking systems, driving dynamics, and vehicle stability systems developed for the next generation of the BMW 7 Series are intended to push the combination of sportiness and ride comfort of the brand’s luxury sedans to new heights. To complement the various drive types, performance-oriented tuning of the wheel suspension, springs, dampers, and various regulating systems is also required. They are all put through rigorous testing in Arjeplog under adverse weather conditions.

The test engineers found the ideal preconditions for this in Lapland’s winter scenery. They were able to test and optimize all functions under extremely tough conditions during test drives through the snow-covered roads of Arjeplog, resulting in a completely harmonious and BMW-typical driving experience. Frozen lakes served as test surfaces because of their low road friction coefficient, which allows for fine tuning of suspension control systems. The steering application, as well as the multiple functions of the dynamic stability control system (DSC) and the precisely regulated interaction between the friction brake and deceleration via energy recuperation, went through thorough tuning.

The winter program also concentrated on the components of the all-electric drive system. The BMW i7’s electric drive, high-voltage battery, power electronics, and charging technology are all part of the fifth generation of BMW eDrive technology, which already provides sustainable driving pleasure in the BMW iX. Above all, the BMW i7’s motor, battery, and temperature control system have shown their maturity in extreme sub-zero temperatures in northern Sweden.

The BMW i7 continues the brand’s current model offensive in the luxury segment in a particularly advanced manner. For the first time, a luxury sedan defined by elegance, ride comfort, and superiority may be experienced without limitations and in junction with a purely electric motor system. The BMW i7 shares the same car concept as the other BMW 7 Series model variants. This comprehensive innovation also ensures local emission-free driving, thanks to a unique combination of sporty and comfort-oriented handling properties, as well as the exclusive spaciousness of a BMW luxury sedan.

Photos from BMW

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