Comparing the BMW 7 and Tesla Model S is challenging. Historically, in the 21st century, the era of internal combustion engines has come to an end. In the early 20th century, the oil lobby was able to suppress the advanced ideas of the great scientist and practitioner in the field of electricity, Nikola Tesla, for a hundred years, profiting from the pollution of the planet with car exhaust fumes.
However, electric cars still lag behind traditional internal combustion engine cars in many aspects. Let's consider this issue using the latest developments, such as the Tesla Model S, from the automaker Tesla, founded in 2003, whose market capitalization exceeded $100 billion in January 2020, and the seventh-generation executive class cars from BMW, celebrating their 103rd anniversary (BMW 7).
BMW 7 and Tesla Model S: A Comparative Test
Manufactured since 1977, the current 6th generation of BMW G11/G12 was unveiled to the public in Geneva in 2015. It represents the pinnacle of technical and design perfection of Bavarian motor manufacturers, not just in terms of internal combustion engine capabilities.
It is worth noting that BMW's management, understanding the existing trends in car manufacturing and, most importantly, in car usage, previously introduced and produced in small batches the BMW Hydrogen 7 (a biofuel variant running on gasoline and liquid hydrogen), the hybrid electric car i8, and the electric car BMW i3 Electric. Currently, the BMW 7 has a range of 1356 km.
The prototype of the 5-door electric car Tesla Model S was announced in 2009 in Frankfurt, and it entered the US market in 2012. Upgrades and restyling were carried out continuously in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2019.
As a result, several full-drive versions emerged, and the exterior started leaning towards the crossover Model X and the sedan Model 3. Currently, only Tesla Model S versions 75D, 100D, and P100D (Premium) are available, with EPA range data of 490 km, 613 km, and 632 km respectively (the current record among electric cars). This car is not sold in the Russian Federation.
BMW 7 and Tesla Model S: Exterior and Interior
Over the 7 years since the American electric car was introduced, its exterior and interior have remained largely unchanged, except for notable details such as the disappearance of the black filler on the front and the appearance of the Tesla logo in its place, as well as the replacement of bi-xenon optics with LED ones.
The appearance of the Tesla Model S remains distinctly austere and aggressive, almost telling onlookers that the transition from gasoline to electricity has not weakened the car but rather strengthened it.
The elongated and swift silhouette, always seeming in motion, with an astonishing «swooping» roof and a powerful rear with a carbon spoiler. The muscularity of the car, emanating from all sides, including the wheel arches, is pretentiously accentuated by the protruding door handles and the threatening gaze of the xenon optics.
The fact that this electric car is a means of future transportation becomes clear after observing its cabin with additional control through a 17" display, occupying almost the entire center dashboard.
There is only one button on the panel for the glovebox and the hazard lights switch. The presence of an autopilot constantly updating its data globally and the ability for remote updates of all control systems after improvements by Tesla is just a small additional confirmation of the above thesis.
The electric car is adorned with premium materials in a unique combination of leather, aluminum, and wood. Due to the absence of an internal combustion engine under the hood, the front seats are slightly pushed forward, providing additional comfort for rear seat passengers. The car is equipped with a glass panoramic roof or sunroof, a thorough cabin air cleaning system Bio-Weapon, and the P100D version offers seat ventilation.
The exterior of the BMW is traditional and not overly elegant. It is more imposing, resembling a fairly expensive small ocean-going yacht. The BMW 7 interior is more ergonomic and higher in terms of finishing level. People in the BMW 7 feel comfortable and cozy, as there are footrests and servo mechanisms, changing the seat positions, among other features.
The interior finishing combines various expensive materials (Alcantara, genuine leather, carbon fiber, polished aluminum, and precious wood), and the cabin is divided into 4 separate climate zones with heating and ventilation along 2 dozen directions. Valuable information is displayed on the windshield and so forth.
When it comes to cargo space, the Tesla Model S sedan with its 5-door body and two trunks clearly dominates. The main trunk, as it should be, has a volume of 744 liters (with the second-row seats folded down — 1645 liters), and an additional 60-liter trunk in the place of the absent internal combustion engine. The BMW 7 trunk has a capacity of only 515 liters and cannot be expanded.
Driving and Handling
Comparing the base models of both brands, the diesel BMW 7 with its 265 hp certainly lags behind the two Tesla electric motors with a total output of 423 hp, but not by much — approximately 2 seconds. Despite its size, the Bavarian is quite maneuverable due to its fully steerable chassis, with the ability to adjust the rear wheel position by up to 3°.
On the other hand, Tesla's maneuverability is not quite up to par, although the power of the electric motors almost perfectly matches the weight of the car. On turns, the rear axle with its praised «smart» air suspension begins to fail even with minor shaking and oscillatory movements, but the acceleration is swift. The braking performance is roughly similar.
When considering the top models, Tesla Model S P100D and BMW 730d AT after the facelift, the acceleration figures to 100 km/h are close, at 2.7 seconds and 3.8 seconds respectively.
Technical Specifications of BMW 7 and Tesla Model S
Tesla Model S 100D (left) and BMW 730d AT after the 2019 facelift (right) are characterized by the following data:
— Body and drive — sedan, all-wheel-drive//sedan, all-wheel-drive.
— Number of doors and seats — 5 and 5//4 and 5.
— Length (m) — 4.98//5.12.
— Height (m) — 1.44//1.47.
— Width (m) — 1.96//1.9.
— Wheelbase (m) — 2.95//3.07.
— Ground clearance (m) — 0.101 (optional «smart» air suspension provides from 0.12 to 0.19)//0.152.
— Weight (tons) — 2.1//1.96.
— Fuel tank capacity (l) — none//78.
The engine is an electric one, uniquely producing 704 hp, unmatched in the modern world. It generates a torque of 600 Nm, with the electric battery capacity and power at 100.0 kWh and 568 kW respectively.
Liquid cooling//inline, 6-cylinder, 24-valve, with direct injection and turbocharging, two 3L diesel engines producing 249 and 400 hp, and two 3L petrol engines with multi-point injection producing 286 and 340 hp, as well as V8 4.4L and V12 6.6L engines with power outputs of 530 and 585 hp respectively.
Maximum speed and acceleration to 100 km/h — 250 km/h (electronically limited) and 4.4 s//250 km/h (electronically limited) and from 3.8 s to 5.8 s, depending on the installed engine.
Transmission — single-speed reducer, robot with multi-plate clutch//8-speed automatic.
Brakes — ventilated disc brakes//ventilated disc brakes.
Tires — 245/35 R21, 265/35 R21//245/50 R18, 245/50 R18.
Read more: [Models and Features of BMW 5 Series 2018-2019](https://vse-pro-bmw.info/bmw-5-series-2018—2019/)
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, the era of internal combustion engines will come to an end. The question is only when and which mode of transportation will dominate the world of electric motors. So far, the claim to dominance in this matter is made by Elon Musk with his brainchild, the Tesla Model S.
By the way, the release of the 3-motor, 7-seater, and more comfortable model of the Tesla Model S Plaid is expected in the current year 2020. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model S continues to break records:
— The achievement of a 2014 car that traveled over 1 million km was documented in the Guinness Book of Records.
— In November 2019, the Tesla Model S Plaid set an unofficial Nürburgring lap record, surpassing its main competitor, the Porsche Taycan, by 29 seconds, completing the track in 7 minutes and 13 seconds.
— In the secondary European market, the discounted Tesla Model S is priced lower than its competitors with internal combustion engines, both within the same company and compared to other competitors, and it sells faster. With 80,000 km on the odometer, its average price is €68,160, and the selling speed is 35.5 days, whereas the figures for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, BMW 7, and Porsche Panamera are respectively 89.43 and 41.6; 52.69 and 39.8; 66.7 and 48.7; 88.88 and 60.1.
However, the Bavarians also do not want to stay on the sidelines and plan to introduce a fully electrified BMW i7 model with a range of up to 700 km at the junction of 2020 and 2021.
