Car stuff (public number: chedongxi)
The author | James
Edit the | Juice
In today's automotive industry, where electric and intelligent are deeply integrated, BMW, as the head luxury brand, showed its trump card tonight. After 6 years, BMW's flagship model 7 Series has ushered in the seventh generation of successors - pure electric BMW i7.
The fuel version of the 7 series has become a "special car" in the Chinese and American markets, and the European market only sells pure electric i7.
▲ BMW i7
As a brand new model, the exterior interior and powertrain of the BMW i7 have been updated. Split headlights, double kidney grilles, hidden door handles and other elements are all available; the engine system has been upgraded to BMW's latest iDrive 8, which has a 12.3-inch and 14.9-inch dual screen; more importantly, the rear is equipped with a 31.3-inch screen with built-in iQiyi and Huawei app stores, and two 5.5-inch door handle screens for controlling in-car functions.
At the same time, the intelligent function of bmw i7 is also quite high, L2 level automatic driving has been greatly improved, can recognize traffic lights and react, can also achieve highway NOA, the Us market owners can also get rid of driving. When parking, the BMW i7 can also achieve advanced features such as 200-meter memory parking.
In addition, BMW also announced a set of L3 automatic driving sensor configuration, which will realize the L3 automatic driving function in the future. In this way, BMW will become the third car company in the world to mass-produce L3-level autonomous driving after Honda and Mercedes-Benz.
It can even be said that 2022 will be the first year of L3 level autonomous driving scale mass production.
In today's accelerated iteration of smart cars, BMW is exploring more differentiated intelligent configurations. Obviously, the head luxury brand is still at the top of the industry in the electric age, and leads the update iteration of smart electric vehicle technology.
First, the L2 function is full of NOA, and the traffic lights are recognized
In terms of autonomous driving functions, the BMW i7 is equipped with an L2-level autonomous driving system, using Mobileye's scheme (possibly EyeQ5H), and using an 8-megapixel camera.
The complete driver assistance system uses 5 millimeter wave radars, dual current cameras to achieve L2 autonomous driving, and 4 surround view cameras and 12 ultrasonic radars to achieve parking functions.
▲BMW i7's L3 autonomous driving hardware configuration
In addition, BMW also launched a set of L3 automatic driving hardware, from the perspective view can predict, this system adds a forward lidar to the L2, and there are two millimeter wave radar directly below the vehicle's B-pillar.
From the information released so far, BMW has only announced the functions of the L2 automatic driving system.
When the BMW i7 is equipped with the Driving Assistant Professional, the BMW i7 can recognize traffic lights, implement navigation assistance driving functions (BMW calls this system Active Navigation), and allow drivers to drive off their hands in North America.
▲ BMW i7
After opening BMW's L2 system, the BMW i7 can travel in the speed range of 0 to 210km/h. Adjust the speed of the vehicle according to the navigation road conditions. For example, on ramps, roundabouts, and turning sections, even if the set speed is very high, the vehicle will slow down to ensure the comfort of the ride.
The BMW i7 sold in the German market can recognize traffic lights, if the front is identified as a red light, it will be displayed in the vehicle instrument for the first time, while the vehicle will slowly slow down and stop in front of the stop line.
If multiple complex traffic lights are encountered, the driver can choose which one the vehicle should identify on the dashboard.
When the signal light turns green, the BMW i7 is able to start over.
This is similar to Tesla's "identify traffic lights and stop signs and react" feature. In 2020, Tesla launched this function in the US market, and domestic models only have the function of recognizing traffic lights, and cannot respond to stopping and starting.
If the BMW i7 can launch this feature when it is listed in China, then its level of self-driving is really capable of being on par with Tesla.
▲ BMW i7
In addition, the BMW i7 is equipped with a navigation assisted driving function, and the vehicle is able to travel on the highway according to the route and lane calculated by the navigation system. In other words, the BMW i7 also has the ability to automatically change lanes or merge into lanes.
In the models sold in the North American market, after the driver activates the navigation assist, the BMW i7 allows the driver to drive completely off-hand, and the speed can reach a maximum of 130 km/h.
Since this feature is still L2 level autonomous driving, the driver still has to look at the road during the drive, and in an emergency, take over the direction and acceleration, brake pedals.
When the L2 autopilot function is turned on, the BMW i7's instrument will display a 3D model of the surrounding vehicle and environment, and it can also distinguish between ordinary cars, trucks, motorcycles and other different vehicles.
Second, the memory parking is not less The longest learning route is 200 meters
BMW i7 is also equipped with parking assistance functions, previously the public has been familiar with automatic parking, 50 meters of track reversing, 3D surround view are equipped, more amazing is that BMW i7 can achieve memory parking and remote control parking functions.
If your BMW i7 is equipped with the Parking Assistant Professional, the vehicle can remember 200 meters of driving and steering actions (BMW calls this system Manoeuvre Assistant) to achieve memory parking.
The system uses GPS data and trajectory data for steering movements to learn parking motions, learning a total of 10 different parking spaces.
When the study is completed, the next time it stops, the BMW i7 can follow the memory route and steering, fully control the vehicle's driving, and automatically park into place. In the parking lot scene, there are often narrow sections or sharp bends, which may require the driver to go forward and backward several times to turn, even such a complex scene, the BMW i7 can remember it all.
BMW's Manoeuvre Assistant function is very similar to the memory parking function that Xiaopeng and Weima have already mass-produced, Xiaopeng can remember the parking lot route of up to 1km and can remember parking across floors, and WM can remember the parking route up to 100 meters.
▲ BMW i7
It is expected that from 2023 onwards, BMW will also equip the i7 with a remote parking function, which can remotely control the vehicle in and out of the garage in the My BMW mobile app.
In terms of function, the L2-level automatic driving system equipped with bmw i7 realizes all the existing mass production functions of Tesla and Xiaopeng, which is the first in the traditional car company models.
According to BMW's plan, the future i7 will also be able to achieve L3 autonomous driving functions, but no specific information has been disclosed.
Third, the rear row is equipped with an 8K large screen integrated with huawei app store
In terms of intelligent and luxurious configuration, the performance of the BMW i7 is also very good.
The BMW i7 is equipped with Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology. When the owner binds the digital car key on the mobile phone, when the vehicle is 3 meters away, the vehicle can wake up, at this time the vehicle daytime running lights, ring grille lights, tail lights, cabin lights will be softly lit, and the welcome light blanket will also illuminate the ground. When 1.5 meters away from the vehicle, the vehicle will automatically unlock and open the folding rearview mirrors.
When you pull the door handle, you can find that the BMW i7 is equipped with an automatic opening and closing electric door, and there are many ways to open the door, such as using the central control screen, My BMW App, voice assistant, and car keys to open the door.
It can be said that the BMW i7 has a full sense of ceremony in the car process, and there is no need to carry the car keys, the UWB chip in the mobile phone can unlock the door.
Entering the car, you can see that this central control system and BMW iX are basically the same, and there are obvious differences with i3 and i4.
▲BMW i7 interior
The biggest difference is the reduction of the steering wheel function. BMW i7 adopts a double-frame steering wheel, and the left assisted driving function area buttons on the steering wheel have been greatly reduced, with only 3 buttons and 1 roller, which simplifies the complexity of assisted driving use compared to the previous design of 7 buttons and 1 roller, which is the same as the concept of BMW iX.
▲BMW i7 steering wheel
BMW i7 car engine system is the latest generation of iDrive 8, with 12.3-inch LCD instrument and 14.9-inch central control screen, of which the resolution of the instrument screen is 1920 * 720, the resolution of the car screen reaches 2880 * 1080, the delicacy of this screen and mercedes-Benz EQS on the MBUX super screen is comparable, the pixel density has reached more than 200PPI, and it is also one of the top screens in the car.
It is understood that the computing power of bmw's i7 car machine system has been greatly improved, the CPU computing power has increased by 100%, and the GPU performance has increased by 500%, which can present clear and delicate images on each screen.
But as a 7 Series, the rear of the BMW i7 is the focus.
▲BMW i7 rear screen
Once inside the rear row, you'll see a 31.3-inch BMW suspension screen that runs almost across the entire rear cockpit. The specifications of this ultra-wide screen are also quite top-notch, its resolution is 7680 * 2160, and the horizontal resolution reaches the standard of 8K. The aspect ratio of the screen is 32:9, which is visually equivalent to two 4K screens being spliced together horizontally.
With 16.59 megapixels and a pixel density of 257PPI, this screen is the first mass production in the automotive industry.
▲BMW i7 rear screen
At the same time, in terms of content services, this 31.3-inch screen has done a considerable amount of local optimization, integrated into iQiyi and Huawei app stores, and made BMW the first luxury brand to carry Huawei app stores in the back row.
▲BMW i7 rear armrest control screen
At the same time, there is also a 5.5-inch armrest touch screen on the left and right door armrests in the rear, which can switch theater modes with one button. Under "Cinema Mode", the interior mood lighting and sun blinds will be automatically adjusted, and with the 1965W, 36-unit Bowers & Wilkins 4D surround sound system, you can enjoy the audiovisual experience of the theater in the back row. In addition to the 3D sound coming from all directions, the sound is also equipped with a bass vibrator under the cushion to form a 4D effect.
▲BMW i7 rear row
The rear seat backrest can be adjusted up to 42.5 degrees in a semi-reclining position, and is also equipped with an integrated leg rest for a more comfortable ride.
Fourth, Europe only sells pure electric version M high-performance vehicles launched next year
From the appearance point of view, the new generation of BMW 7 Series is a larger model than the same level of Mercedes-Benz EQS, long, wide and high size reached 5391mm/1950mm/1548mm, the wheelbase reached 3215mm, positioning is a luxury D-Class car. Compared with the same level of Mercedes-Benz EQS, the BMW i7's electrification configuration is quite outstanding.
▲BMW i7 vs Mercedes-Benz EQS
The BMW i7 has a double kidney straight waterfall grille shape, completely enclosed, and the double kidney shape is relatively wider and rounder, and the front face shape is very stable and atmospheric.
▲ BMW i7
At the same time, bmw i7 also uses split headlights, above is the squinting eye shape of the daytime running lights, below are low beam and high beam lights, this split headlights is also bmw's first attempt in the 7 series model.
▲ BMW i7 head
On the side of the vehicle, the BMW i7 has a slender body and uses a hidden door handle design, which is the same as the BMW iX model that has been listed.
The shape of the rear of the vehicle is more simple, and the tail lights echo back and forth with the daytime running lights, which are slender designs.
▲ BMW i7
In terms of power parameters, the BMW i7 is equipped with the fifth-generation BMW eDrive system, which has a cruising range of more than 600 kilometers. Among them, the maximum power battery capacity is 101.7kWh, and the power has always become a dual-excitation synchronous motor all-wheel drive, with a maximum power of 400kW (about 544 horsepower). The powertrain accelerates the BMW i7 from 0 to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds.
▲BMW i7 powertrain
Among them, the front motor has a maximum power of 190kW (about 258 hp), a maximum torque of 365N·m, and a sustained power of 70kW (about 95 hp).
▲BMW excitation synchronous motor
The rear motor has a maximum power of 230 kW (about 313 hp), a maximum torque of 380 N·m, and a sustained power of 95 kW (about 129 hp).
BMW i7 supports up to 195kW DC fast charging, can charge from 10% to 80% in 34 minutes, and charge for 10 minutes, which can supplement the 170km endurance under the WLTP standard.
▲BMW i7 charging power curve
The BMW i7 originally launched had only one i7 xDrive60 model, which is expected to be launched worldwide in November this year.
At today's press conference, BMW also revealed a more powerful i7 M70 xDrive model, which is expected to be available later in 2023, with a maximum powertrain of more than 600 horsepower and a maximum torque of more than 1000 N·m, and the car's 100 km/h acceleration time is only 4.0 seconds.
The latest generation of 7 series model layout is also quite interesting, although BMW has manufactured fuel, plug-in hybrid, pure electric three powertrains, but BMW only provides pure electric version of the model in the European market, fuel vehicles have become the "special car" of the two major markets in China and the United States.
It can also be seen from the layout of the model that BMW's determination to electrify is quite strong.
Conclusion: BMW demonstrates the determination of electric intelligence
In the field of automatic driving and intelligent cockpit, BMW already has a large number of core technologies, and is pressing forward to build new forces in the car. BMW is also relying on its sports and driving genes to create sports and luxury on the basis of pure electricity.
BMW's electrification transformation is also the fastest in the industry. As early as 2014, BMW has mass-produced i3 and i8 models, laying the foundation for future models. Today, a large wave of pure electric products has been put on the market, and the 7 Series fuel vehicles are no longer sold in the European market, showing BMW's determination in the field of intelligence and electrification.