BMW i7 2026 Adopts Gen6 Cylindrical Cells Developed with Rimac: +20% Energy Density and Faster Charging

BMW Group accelerates its electric initiatives with a new solution for its luxury range, developed alongside Rimac Technology for the BMW i7. The goal is clear: to increase range and charging speed through a completely updated platform.

The project introduces the sixth generation of eDrive technology, known as Gen6, which makes its debut on the brand's flagship electric sedan. At the heart of this system are the new 4695 lithium-ion cylindrical cells, characterized by a volumetric energy density that is more than 20% higher than the prismatic cells used in the previous generation.

The high-voltage battery combines these new cells with a module design derived from Gen5 within a hybrid system that aims to significantly improve overall performance. The result is increased range and greater energy efficiency, which are central elements for a high-end electric sedan.

Equally important is the charging aspect. The new architecture enables higher charging capacity and reduced times, thanks to an optimized system both in hardware and energy management. This allows for better utilization of high-power infrastructures, which are increasingly widespread in Europe.

The battery is produced in Croatia, at the advanced facilities of Rimac Technology, with direct delivery to the BMW plant in Dingolfing, the only production site for the Series 7. The system arrives fully assembled, indicating a close industrial collaboration between the two companies.

The BMW i7 with this new technology will officially debut on April 22 during Auto China 2026 in Beijing, as stated in the press release. This is an important step in extending the technologies developed for the Neue Klasse platform to existing models in the lineup.

The collaboration with Rimac marks an evolution in the role of the Croatian partner, which has transitioned from a niche supplier for hypercars to an industrial reality capable of supporting large-scale production. This change once again reflects the growing importance of batteries in the development of electric vehicles.