The electric vehicle renaissance is upon us, and nowhere is this more evident than at the leading edge of the luxury car market. A new generation of premium EVs are leveraging state-of-the-art technologies to deliver zero-emission transportation without compromising on performance, refinement or prestige. Two of the most compelling offerings in this space are the all-new 2023 BMW i7 and the 2023 Lucid Air Pure.
As the first-ever all-electric variant of BMW‘s flagship 7 Series sedan, the i7 represents a bold step into the future for one of the industry‘s most iconic luxury nameplates. Meanwhile, the Air Pure serves as the entry point to Lucid Motors‘ groundbreaking range of sleek, powerful and hyper-efficient battery-electric sedans.
Both promise an ultra-premium ownership experience, advanced technologies and robust electric performance wrapped in cutting-edge designs. But which one comes out on top in a head-to-head comparison? As a digital technology expert and EV analyst, I‘ll break down the key specs, features and innovations that define these two electric luxury liners to help determine a winner.
Tale of the Tape: How the i7 and Air Pure Stack Up
Let‘s start by taking a look at some of the key specifications and performance metrics of the i7 and Air Pure:
| Specification | 2023 BMW i7 | 2023 Lucid Air Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $119,300 | $87,400 (est.) |
| Power | 536 hp / 549 lb-ft | 480 hp / 442 lb-ft (est.) |
| Range | 300 miles (est.) | 406 miles (est.) |
| 0-60 MPH | 4.5 seconds | 4.8 seconds (est.) |
| Battery Pack | 101.7 kWh | 88 kWh (est.) |
| Max Charging Speed | 195 kW | 300 kW (est.) |
| Cargo Space | 11.4 cu ft | 16.1 cu ft (est.) |
The i7 has an advantage in outright power thanks to its dual-motor drivetrain that puts out 536 horsepower and 549 pound-feet of torque. By comparison, the single-motor, rear-wheel drive Air Pure is estimated to produce around 480 hp and 442 lb-ft, based on the specs of the outgoing 2022 model.
That extra muscle helps the i7 rocket to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, a few ticks quicker than Lucid‘s projected 4.8 second run for the Air Pure. Both are certainly quick, but the i7‘s sub-4.5 second capability is remarkable for a vehicle of its size and heft.
However, the Air Pure strikes back in the all-important range column. Lucid is targeting an EPA-estimated 406 miles on a single charge, which would make it one of the longest-range EVs on the market. Credit for that exceptional efficiency goes to Lucid‘s in-house developed electric motors, power electronics and 900V+ electrical architecture, which it calls its Space Concept platform.
The company‘s expertise stems from its origins as a battery supplier and powertrain provider to the Formula E electric racing series. Lucid‘s mastery of EV engineering is a big reason why the Air has been praised as a range and efficiency leader.
The i7 is expecting an EPA-rated range closer to 300 miles, according to BMW. While not shabby by any means, it‘s well below the Air Pure‘s projected figure. The culprit is likely the i7‘s larger and heavier 101.7 kWh battery pack, which has to power a much bigger vehicle brimming with luxury features and amenities. Still, 300 miles should be adequate for most drivers‘ needs.
Speaking of charging, both the i7 and Air Pure are capable of impressively quick charging times thanks to industry-leading fast charging capabilities. The i7 is equipped with a 195 kW DC fast charging system that can add 80 miles of range in just 10 minutes at a high-speed public charger.
Meanwhile, Lucid has hinted that the Air Pure will come standard with its 300 kW+ fast charging technology, which could allow it to recoup 200 miles of range in around 15 minutes. Access to reliable fast charging will be key for buyers looking to use either car for longer road trips.
Battle of the Batteries: Differing Approaches to Electrification
Drilling down further, it‘s worth examining how BMW and Lucid achieved these impressive performance specs through differing approaches to battery and electric powertrain development.
BMW took a more conservative approach with the i7 by adapting the modular CLAR platform that underpins its other models like the iX SUV and i4 sedan for use in the 7 Series. This flexibility allows BMW to offer the 7 Series with multiple powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid and eventually a hydrogen fuel cell variant alongside the all-electric i7.
The i7 utilizes BMW‘s 5th generation eDrive technology, consisting of an electrically excited synchronous motor at each axle mated to a high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack mounted beneath the floor. This setup provides standard all-wheel drive and a near 50/50 weight distribution for balanced handling.
Lucid, on the other hand, built the Air on a bespoke EV skateboard platform featuring what it claims is the most energy dense battery pack and most efficient drivetrain in the industry. The 22-module pack incorporates cylindrical cells from Samsung SDI and LG Energy Solution with a unique cell-to-pack design that minimizes wasted space.
Lucid‘s battery management software and thermal control systems further optimize energy storage and allow the pack to safely charge at higher speeds. The company manufactures its electric motors in-house and says they can achieve power densities of over 40 kW per liter.
These compact, lightweight units help reduce drivetrain losses compared to larger and heavier motors used by competitors. When combined with power electronics derived from Lucid‘s Formula E experience and aerodynamically-optimized bodywork, the result is hyper-efficient performance and class-leading range.
The divergence in electrification strategies between BMW and Lucid reflects their different backgrounds and market positions. As an established automaker, BMW has the flexibility to gradually transition to EVs while still offering internal combustion models.
Lucid, as an EV startup, is staking its entire business on the superiority of its electric platform with the goal of accelerating the shift to sustainable transportation. Both approaches have their merits, but Lucid‘s ground-up EV development may give it an advantage in the fast-moving electric vehicle space.
Interior Tech: 8K Screens and Autonomous Driving
Of course, luxury EV buyers expect more than just raw performance stats. They demand vehicles at the vanguard of comfort, convenience and in-car technology as well. Here again, the i7 and Air Pure deliver with some of the most advanced infotainment and driver assistance features available today.
BMW‘s iDrive 8 system serves as the i7‘s digital command center, seamlessly blending information, navigation, media and vehicle controls into a slick curved display powered by a new 8-core processor. The setup consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen integrated into a sweeping piece of glass.
Notably, the i7 will be among the first production vehicles to offer a fully integrated 5G cellular connection for faster data speeds and lower latency when using connected services. It also features an advanced natural language voice assistant that can adjust climate settings, find parking, or even roll the windows up or down in response to spoken commands.
Other cutting-edge tech on the i7 includes an augmented reality heads-up display, remote parking via smartphone app, and an available 31-inch 8K rear seat entertainment screen that folds down from the headliner.
On the driver assistance front, the i7 will include BMW‘s latest and most robust collection of Level 2 semi-autonomous features yet. This includes an updated Active Driving Assistant Pro with lane-keeping assist, automatic lane changes, and a hands-free Traffic Jam Assistant that can handle braking, accelerating and steering in slow-moving traffic.
The marquee feature, however, is a new Highway Assistant that will allow for hands-free driving at speeds up to 80 mph on pre-mapped divided highways. Using an array of radar, camera and ultrasonic sensors, it can maintain a set distance from vehicles ahead, stay centered in a lane and handle moderate curves. BMW says it will be possible to pilot the vehicle hands-free on over 200,000 miles of highways across the U.S. and Canada.
Not to be outdone, Lucid has packed the Air Pure with an equally impressive suite of infotainment and autonomous tech. The centerpiece is an expansive 34-inch 5K curved Glass Cockpit display that stretches across the dash, combining key gauges, controls and vehicle information.
An additional Pilot Panel touchscreen flows out of the Glass Cockpit, controlling things like seat functions, climate settings, and opening/closing the power trunk and frunk. Lucid has also hinted at future over-the-air software updates that could enable full self-driving capabilities thanks to the Air‘s comprehensive DreamDrive sensor suite.
This advanced driver assistance platform utilizes 14 visible-light cameras, 5 radar units, 12 ultrasonic sensors and the industry‘s first high-resolution LIDAR unit to provide a robust 360-degree view around the vehicle. Lucid says it will enable hands-free driving and automated parking scenarios at launch, with promises of more capability to come.
DreamDrive also powers safety features like cross-traffic protection and automatic braking, as well as a driver monitoring camera that ensures eyes are kept on the road. Over-the-air updates could one day unlock full autonomy thanks to Lucid‘s underlying Ethernet-based architecture.
While both BMW and Lucid are clearly at the cutting edge when it comes to in-car tech and driver assistance, the Air Pure may have a slight leg up in terms of its future-proofed electrical and software architecture. The ability to improve the vehicle‘s capabilities through OTA updates could keep it feeling fresh and modern for years to come.
The Electric Luxury Landscape: How the i7 and Air Pure Fit In
The arrival of the i7 and Air Pure comes at a pivotal time for the luxury EV market. Electric vehicles are quickly moving from niche alternatives to serious contenders for mainstream luxury car buyers‘ attention and dollars. According to a recent report from McKinsey & Company, global EV sales doubled in 2021 to 6.6 million units, representing close to 9% of the total passenger vehicle market. The report predicts that by 2030, EVs will account for about 48% of all new vehicle sales.
Several factors are driving this rapid adoption, including falling battery costs, expanding charging infrastructure, and growing environmental awareness among consumers. But perhaps most importantly, there are now dozens of compelling EVs across every price point and vehicle segment for buyers to choose from as legacy automakers and startups alike invest heavily in electrification.
In the luxury space, pioneering vehicles like the Tesla Model S have been joined by strong entries from Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar in recent years. These EVs are delivering the style, performance and high-end features that luxury buyers expect, while adding the benefits of zero tailpipe emissions and lower operating costs.
The i7 will enter the market as a clear competitor to large electric luxury sedans like the Mercedes EQS, Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S. With a starting price around $120,000, it will be positioned near the top of this segment and target buyers looking to combine electric performance with the prestige of a flagship BMW.
The Air Pure, on the other hand, could hold appeal for a slightly broader set of premium EV buyers. With an estimated starting price just under $90,000, it will undercut most of the aforementioned electric luxury sedans while still offering competitive range and an upscale experience.
As the entry model in the Air range, it could attract buyers cross-shopping smaller electric sport sedans like the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 and BMW i4. The Air Pure‘s spacious interior and advanced tech may also draw buyers away from comparably-priced large electric SUVs like the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace.
Of course, the i7 and Air Pure will face stiff competition as more and more luxury EVs hit the market in the coming years. Brands like Bentley, Maserati and Rolls-Royce are all preparing their first forays into electrification, while EV startups like Fisker, Faraday Future and BYTON are targeting the premium segment with sleek, tech-forward models.
How the i7 and Air Pure fare in this increasingly crowded field will depend on their ability to deliver on the promise of zero-emission luxury transportation while providing a truly special ownership experience. Based on their specifications, features and pedigree, both appear well-positioned for success.
The Verdict
So which electric luxury liner comes out ahead in this comparison, the 2023 BMW i7 or the 2023 Lucid Air Pure? From a pure numbers perspective, it‘s difficult to argue against the Air Pure‘s incredible efficiency, long driving range and advanced EV technology.
Lucid Motors has done a remarkable job maximizing the potential of the electric vehicle with its innovative platform, hyper-efficient drivetrain and forward-thinking infotainment architecture. That the Air Pure delivers over 400 miles of range at a starting price under $90,000 is a testament to the company‘s EV engineering prowess.
While the i7‘s range and efficiency can‘t quite match the Air Pure, it still represents an extremely compelling all-electric evolution of BMW‘s venerable 7 Series. With over 500 horsepower on tap, a sumptuous interior and an array of cutting-edge tech features, the i7 is sure to impress traditional BMW buyers and EV converts alike.
The i7 also benefits from BMW‘s decades of experience building world-class luxury automobiles and its established sales and service network. For buyers who prioritize performance and high-end amenities in a proven package, the i7 is a formidable contender.
Ultimately, choosing between the i7 and Air Pure comes down to your specific needs and preferences. If maximum driving range, efficiency and value are your top priorities, the Air Pure is likely the better choice. If you‘re drawn to the i7‘s more powerful drivetrain, opulent cabin and prestigious brand image, it may be worth the price premium.
Regardless of which one you choose, both the i7 and Air Pure represent the leading edge of electric luxury transportation. Their advanced powertrains, cutting-edge tech features and premium designs are ushering in a new era of sustainable mobility without sacrificing style or performance.
As battery technology continues to improve and charging infrastructure expands, expect to see more and more compelling EVs like these in the coming years. The future of luxury driving is undoubtedly electric, and the i7 and Air Pure are lighting the way.
