It took a bit of time for it to appear, but let’s call the M-level i7 fashionably late. Appearing as it does about two seasons after the 2023 i7 xDrive60, the newest all-electric super-sedan from BMW, the i7 M70 xDrive, is the inevitable corollary of the ‘standard’ model, and the last word from the automaker for the 2024 model year. The company calls it the most powerful all-electric BMW car.

The i7 M70 xDrive features a two-motor powertrain, with one motor dedicated to each axle; the new design packs each motor, along with electronics and transmission, into a reasonably small single unit, avoiding use of rare earth metals in the rotor. The rear-drive unit features a patented six-phase design and a dual inverter, giving it a 26% power density boost over the i7 xDrive 60. M-level, yes.

The i7 M70 gives drivers 660 horsepower to play with…and up to 811 pound-feet of torque, a stunning number that turns out to be necessary given the car’s heft. The car can be jolted to 62 MPH in 3.7 seconds — a blazing number considering its 5,929-pound weight — and it can reach a limited top speed of 155 MPH; using M Launch Control places drive and traction control under the aegis of the engine control unit for precise power metering. Other M-level treats include M Sport Boost.

Even an M-Series i7 is a touring car at heart, though, and BMW tells us that the long-distance potential of the model is exceptional. Adaptive brake-energy recycling, heat pump technology and battery energy density help with the car’s efficiency underway, contributing to a range of nearly 350 miles at peak (WLTP methodology used). Using the Combined Charging Unit can give travelers an additional 106 miles of travel in ten minutes. Additionally, a MAX Range mode can be employed for crisis situations.

BMW isn’t talking pricing just yet. We’ll have another look at the new i7 M70 xDrive in a few months when they announce the sticker.