POWER PLAY

If you haven't yet driven an electric vehicle, you're in for a treat. Here's our pick of Mzansi's 2023 crop

BEST FOR... THE TECHERATI
BMW 17 XDRIVE60

Shape of things to come

The flagship 7 Series is the showpiece of R&D and innovation for all BMW’s lines including its EVs. 

Led by a very different and aggressive new front end (and there’s more change to come – BMW has filed patents for new and more radical designs) even the i7’s exterior is bristling with innovation, from backlit Swarovski headlights to vastly improved sensors and cameras with object recognition for augmented reality and assisted driving.

Technology with a dash of car

The 7 Series is designed to be both a self-drive and chauffeured experience. The rear has reclining seats, smartphone-like controls in the doors and an optional (for R60 000) dropdown 8K m31.3in touchscreen. Preset modes customise the experience; options are Sport, Efficient, Expressive, Relax, Theatre and Digital Art. Cosmetically they change the backgrounds on the dashboard screens as well as colourfully lighting the controls, cabin, LED patterns on the panoramic roof, and the Swarovski detailing. Functionally they affect driving dynamics, seat shape and massage settings, audio profiles, the sunroof, the blinds, and other things you will struggle to recall. Sound like fun? It is.