When "The Ultimate Driving Machine" meets Croatian genius: The new BMW i7 facelift and the Rimac revolution

In the automotive world, few partnerships have raised as many eyebrows as the one between Bavarian giant BMW and electric car wizard Mate Rimac. The result of this collaboration is almost here: the new BMW i7 facelift, a limousine that promises to reclaim the crown of the luxury segment with technological muscle developed in Croatia.

A "marriage" of technological interest

There are only two weeks left until April 22, when, under the spotlights of the Beijing Auto Show, we will see the new face of the 7 Series. But the big news is not in the illuminated grille or the new headlights, but hidden in the chassis.

For the first time, BMW is calling on Rimac Technologies to produce the battery system. It's a symbolic move: Mate Rimac started his career by transforming an old BMW 3 Series (the famous "Green Monster") into an electric beast, and now, the circle is closing, becoming the official supplier for the German group's flagship.

Gen6: More density, less time at the outlet

The new Gen6 battery technology represents a quantum leap. Here are the numbers that matter to future owners:

• Energy Density: A 20% increase in volumetric density over current Gen5 technology.
• Autonomy and charging: Thanks to the new cylindrical cells, the i7 facelift promises an autonomy that could approach the psychological threshold of 750-800 km (WLTP) and a 30% higher charging speed.
• Hybrid architecture: Interestingly, the BMW i7 facelift will make the switch to the new Gen6 cells, but will keep them integrated into the modular architecture of the Gen5 technology. It is, in effect, a technological “bridge” to the upcoming Neue Klasse.

The batteries will be assembled at the new Rimac Campus near Zagreb, before leaving for the plant in Dingolfing, Germany, where the Bavarian luxury takes its final shape.

Reaction from Romania: Between opulence and technology "Theater Screen"

While in the rest of Europe the discussion is often about sustainability, in Romania, the BMW i7 has been welcomed as a technological status symbol. Since the launch of the first version, the electric limousine has generated long waiting lists at local dealers, despite a starting price that slightly exceeds 130,000 Euros.

"Romanians have an incredible appetite for what we call 'gadgets on wheels'. The i7 was not bought just because it is electric, but for the 31-inch screen (Theater Screen) in the back and for its imposing presence on the road," explain local auto market analysts.

Bucharest has quickly become a "natural habitat" for the i7, the model being preferred by top managers and entrepreneurs who want to combine the quietness of an electric car with the comfort of a private jet. In fact, Romania is one of the markets where BMW consistently manages to maintain a high market share for the luxury segment, often surpassing traditional rivals in the preferences of "high-end" customers.

What's next?

The official presentation on April 22 will confirm whether this facelift will bring major aesthetic changes or whether BMW has chosen to keep the polarizing design that brought it so much notoriety. One thing is certain: with Rimac technology "under the hood", the i7 facelift is no longer just a luxury car, but a technological declaration of war against any competitor who still thinks autonomy is an issue.