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Wednesday / 12 February 2025
HomeFeaturesAll the BMW plug-in hybrids launched in South Africa in 2023 – and what’s still coming

All the BMW plug-in hybrids launched in South Africa in 2023 – and what’s still coming

This year has been a big one for BMW’s new-energy vehicles in South Africa, having launched the XM, X5 xDrive50e, and X1 xDrive30e plug-in hybrids (PHEV) in the local market, as well as battery-electric iX1.

The year is not over, however, and before the end of 2023 BMW will expand its local PHEV portfolio with at least one more model, the M760e xDrive, it confirmed to TopAuto.

“PHEVs offer the right technology for those who are not yet able to choose a battery-electric vehicle, and they offer the potential for substantial CO2 reductions, if regularly charged and a high proportion of their drive time is spent in EV mode,” said BMW.

“We at the BMW Group are taking an open technology approach to the transformation of our industry. For effective climate protection, all types of drive must contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions, especially as the world’s regions and individual markets will continue to develop differently – and at different speeds – in the coming years.”

M760e xDrive specifications

While not yet officially on sale, the new M760e xDrive is listed on BMW South Africa’s website for a starting price of R3,090,000, positioning it as the flagship of the 7 Series line-up as it’s R80,000 pricier than the previous headlining model, the fully-electric i7 xDrive60.

The sizeable sedan is equipped with a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine with an already substantial 280kW and 520Nm on tap, working in conjunction with a 145kW and 280Nm electric motor on the rear axle.

Altogether, the powertrain generates a hefty 420kW and 800Nm and delivers drive to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Despite tipping the scales at over 2.5 tonnes, the M760e sprints to 100km/h in as little as 4.3 seconds and peaks at an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.

Being a PHEV, the BMW also comes with a 17.6kWh battery which gives it a low combined fuel consumption of 2.2l/100km (if primarily driven on battery power) and an all-electric range of 90km.

At a standard AC wall charger, this module can be recharged from 0-100% in three hours, whereas the combustion engine is also capable of pumping juice into it when running.

Thanks to the M in its name, the M760e additionally gets an M Sport Boost function that supplies full power for a short amount of time for sprints and overtakes, as well as the Executive Drive Pro suspension system with M-specific tuning that ensures simultaneously comfortable and sporty handling characteristics.

In keeping with the dynamic underpinnings, the PHEV 7 Series strikes an aggressive look with its M Sport styling pack.

It features the turbine-style kidney grille with an M logo and Iconic Glow backlighting, a functional M rear spoiler in Black Sapphire, M Sport brakes in high-gloss black, 21-inch M Aerodynamic wheels, a four-pipe exhaust, and the M high-gloss Shadow Line package that darks out several exterior components including the grille frame, rear trim strip, and exhaust pipe finishers.

The cabin is equally inspired by performance, seeing M Carbon Fibre interior finishers, an M steering wheel, model-specific seats in BMW Individual Merino Leather/wool-cashmere upholstery, and M-specific functions in the 14.9-inch digital instrument cluster.

As one of the most luxurious vehicles bearing the BMW badge, there is little to be desired in terms of equipment and abilities, too.

Systems like four-zone climate control and electric and heated seats are not even touted as nice-to-haves, they are expected. What does stand out is the Executive Lounge rear seating package that brings a 31.3-inch theatre screen that folds out of the roof, reclining rear seats, and a smartphone-sized touchscreen control panel integrated into the door.

Furthermore, it brings a studio-quality Bowers & Wilkins sound system, a heads-up display, augmented reality navigation, and the Driving Assist Professional Package which adapts both speed and steering movements precisely to the prevailing traffic conditions.


BMW M760e xDrive


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