Over a year after it was first announced, a plug-in hybrid version of BMW’s recently revamped 7 Series is finally going on sale in the U.S.
In the year since it was first shown, the model has added a new component to its name, becoming the 2017 BMW 740e xDrive i Performance. The “i Performance” part is an effort by BMW to tie plug-in hybrid versions of existing models to its green poster children, the i3 and i8.
The 740e’s powertrain has just as many elements as its name. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine works with an electric motor integrated with an eight-speed automatic transmission to drive all four wheels (hence the xDrive tag). Total system output is 322 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. BMW says the 740e will do 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, and reach an (electronically limited) top speed of 155 mph in hybrid mode.
Read more: BMW ushers i Performance into the spotlight
Electric power comes courtesy of a 9.2-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, which is stashed under the rear seat to protect it in the event of a crash, BMW says. The 740e is capable of driving on electric power alone for up to 14 miles at speeds of up to 75 mph. It also achieves an EPA efficiency rating of 64 MPGe combined. It goes without saying that the 740e is the greenest option in the 7 Series lineup; the other available powertrains are a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six (in the 740i) and 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 (in the 750i).
Like other 7 Series models, the 740e comes with a dizzying array of tech features, including gesture control and the latest version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system. It also features auxiliary climate control, which uses power from the battery pack to preheat or cool the cabin before the driver gets in. This can be controlled using the BMW Connected smartphone app.
The 2017 BMW 740e xDrive i Performance goes on sale in the U.S. this month. It starts at $90,095 (including destination).
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?
Update (October 22 23:54 PT): In response to our query, GM clarified that offline recording support is already available on eligible vehicles. Like Tesla's Sentry Mode, it requires owners to connect a USB drive to save incident recordings, which can be viewed on the vehicle's infotainment screen. The upcoming Connected Cameras feature will build on this by giving owners remote access to these recordings via the revamped OnStar app, allowing them to check footage without walking out to their car.
General Motors has announced plans to add a new Connected Cameras feature to its OnStar service starting next year, giving drivers a way to monitor parked vehicles remotely and capture footage of certain incidents.