New High-Performance BMW 7 Series Cars Are Coming

BMW is hard at work on the newest iteration of its big, luxurious land yacht, the G70 7 Series, and we've caught wind of some rumors about the new model that M Performance fans will want to hear.

According to a couple of anonymous BMW Blog sources, the next-generation BMW 7 Series will offer a pair of M Performance models: the M750e plug-in hybrid, and a pure-electric performance sedan that could be called the i7 M60. The M750e would run counter to BMW's established naming scheme, under which performance-oriented plug-ins are dubbed "iPerformance" models to convey that their electrification tech has trickled-down from BMW's i sub-brand.

Then again, we remember a time when an M-branded 7 Series seemed an impossibility. Times change.

Note that both models will be electrified - or so the rumor goes. Electrification has become an increasingly big part of BMW's overall strategy, and the G70 7 Series will exemplify that, with hybrid and pure-electric models reportedly set to make up the majority of the lineup.

But back to those electrified M cars. According to sources, the M750e could output a total of around 500 horsepower, courtesy of a 3.0-liter inline-6 engine and an electric motor, while the i7 M60 - which reportedly might instead be named the Mi7 - will put out 650 pure-electric horsepower, or more. The battery pack is tipped to be a 100-kWh unit capable of providing up to 400 miles of range, presumably on the more optimistic WLTP testing cycle; the EPA number would almost certainly be lower.

Of course, we should take all this with a grain of salt; there's a long road yet between now and when the new G70 7 Series will be revealed, and none of this information has been confirmed by BMW. But given that electrification has become such a core focus for the Bavarian automaker, and seeing as it's a reliable, tried and true method of adding performance, we wouldn't be surprised to see BMW bring out a pair of electrified 7 Series M cars, probably with big buck-tooth grilles.