Revamped BMW i7 Gains Massive Range Boost From Rimac Battery

The all-electric BMW i7 is gearing up for a significant upgrade, and it is arriving with serious firepower under the hood. BMW Group has joined forces with Croatian electrification specialist Rimac Technology to develop a cutting-edge high-voltage battery for its flagship luxury sedan. Set to make its global debut on 22 April at Auto China 2026 in Beijing, the new BMW i7 promises to deliver a leap forward in both driving range and charging capability that puts it firmly in the fast lane of the electric vehicle race.

At the heart of the upgrade sits BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology, built around a 4695 lithium-ion cylindrical cell. This cell format packs roughly 20 per cent more volumetric energy density than the prismatic cells used in the outgoing Gen5 architecture. By pairing this new cell chemistry with the proven Gen5 module layout, BMW and Rimac have engineered a battery pack that squeezes considerably more energy into the same footprint, translating directly into extra kilometres on every full charge.

Faster pit stops at the charger are also part of the package. The revamped powertrain accepts a higher charging capacity, which means less time tethered to a plug and more time on the open road. For drivers who rely on rapid charging networks during long-distance journeys, that reduction in downtime could make a tangible difference to everyday usability and touring confidence.

Production of the new battery packs is already rolling at Rimac’s state-of-the-art campus in Croatia, with finished units shipped directly to BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in Germany, the sole manufacturing facility for the 7 Series worldwide. Mate Rimac, founder of the Rimac Group, highlighted the speed at which both teams brought the project from drawing board to production line, calling it a testament to close engineering collaboration. Dr Thomas Engelhardt, BMW’s Senior VP for high-voltage storage and charging, echoed the sentiment, pointing to the partnership as a strong example of European innovation firing on all cylinders.

The collaboration also signals a broader shift for Rimac Technology, which has accelerated from a niche supplier powering low-volume hypercars into a fully fledged Tier 1 partner capable of supporting high-volume vehicle programmes. With in-house expertise spanning battery systems, electric axles, electronics and software, Rimac now offers a vertically integrated toolkit that major manufacturers are keen to tap into. For the BMW i7, that partnership looks set to raise the bar in the ultra-competitive luxury electric saloon segment, giving buyers a compelling reason to take a second look at Munich’s flagship zero-emission cruiser.