Armored BMW i7 takes bulletproof automobiles into electrical period

BMW’s 7-Sequence flagship sedan has historically been supplied with armor safety, and the brand new i7 electrical model is not any exception.

The BMW i7 Safety made its debut on Wednesday and is billed by BMW as the primary armored sedan with an electrical powertrain. It makes its formal debut in early September on the 2023 Munich auto present, along with an armored model of the gas-powered 7-Sequence.

It seems the massive battery within the flooring of the i7 Safety, on this case a lithium-ion unit with a usable capability of 101.7 kwh, is not any obstacle to armor safety because the automobile has been licensed with a VR9 security ranking from Germany’s VPAM, an affiliation of check labs for ballistic supplies and development.

That is the best ranking for civilian automobiles and means the i7 Safety’s physique and glass present resistance to military-grade small arms like M14 and FAL-FN rifles from 33 ft, and no less than three photographs from a heavy machine gun like an M60, from an identical distance. The automobile can be in a position to stand up to aerial drone assaults with explosive costs, in addition to hand grenade assaults, in line with BMW.

2024 BMW i7 Safety

Key to the automobile’s energy is what BMW refers to because the Safety Core. This can be a self-supporting physique construction created from armor metal that’s then mixed with extra armor plating for the underbody, roof, and doorways. Mercedes-Benz depends on an identical idea for its armored S-Class sedan.

Armored glass is used for the home windows, whereas the gasoline tank will get a particular casing that is ready to seal itself after being hit by a bullet. The wheels are 20-inch mild alloys wrapped with Michelin PAX run-flats. Even when punctured, these tires allow the automobile to journey at speeds of as much as 50 mph.

2024 BMW i7 Safety

Regardless of all the additional protecting gear, the inside stays as plush as in some other member of the 7-Sequence, although right here too there are extra protecting components. These embrace an onboard air system to guard towards a gasoline or hearth assault. Flashing lights, radios, and a panic alarm system will also be added ought to the customer want.

The i7 Safety borrows the powertrain from the i7 M70 xDrive, a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup that’s rated right here at a peak 544 hp. Efficiency is hindered by the additional weight of the armor safety, with BMW quoting a 0-62 mph time of 9 seconds and a high velocity capped at 99 mph. The automaker hasn’t talked about what vary homeowners can anticipate.

2024 BMW i7 Safety

The gas-powered model will get a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 good for 523 hp.

Deliveries of the i7 Safety and the gas-powered 7-Sequence Safety begin late this 12 months.