BMW 7 Series vs Lotus Emeya
Verdict
The BMW 7 Series is the traditional luxury-limo choice at RM677,800, with CKD status, a 3,215 mm wheelbase, powered rear seats, sunshades and a 525-litre boot. The Lotus Emeya costs RM459,000 and takes the electric GT route: two motors, 603 hp, 710 Nm, 610 km range and 420 kW DC charging. It is quicker to 100 km/h too, at 4.15 seconds against 4.9 seconds. For Malaysia, the BMW is the rear-seat car; the Lotus is the faster, cheaper EV.
7 Series
Pick the BMW 7 Series if you want the longer-wheelbase luxury sedan with powered rear seats, sunshades, a panoramic glass roof and petrol plug-in hybrid flexibility.
Emeya
Pick the Lotus Emeya if you want the cheaper fully electric GT with much stronger motor output, longer EV range and high-speed DC charging.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 7 Series RM677,800; Lotus Emeya RM459,000
- Powertrain energy: BMW 7 Series petrol plug-in hybrid with 18.7 kWh battery; Lotus Emeya electric with 102 kWh battery
- EV range: BMW 7 Series 87 km; Lotus Emeya 610 km
- Motor output: BMW 7 Series 194 hp/280 Nm; Lotus Emeya 603 hp/710 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 7 Series 4.9 seconds; Lotus Emeya 4.15 seconds
- Wheelbase and boot: BMW 7 Series 3,215 mm/525 litres; Lotus Emeya 3,069 mm/509 litres
7 Series
- Longer 3,215 mm wheelbase than the Lotus Emeya’s 3,069 mm
- Powered rear seats, rear and side sunshades, plus Sky Lounge fixed panoramic glass roof
- Larger 525-litre boot versus 509 litres
- RM218,800 more expensive than the Lotus Emeya
- Shorter EV range: 87 km versus 610 km
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 4.9 seconds versus 4.15 seconds
Emeya
- RM218,800 cheaper than the BMW 7 Series
- Much stronger electric output at 603 hp and 710 Nm
- 22 kW AC and 420 kW DC charging; the BMW is listed with 7.4 kW AC and no DC figure
- Shorter 3,069 mm wheelbase versus the BMW 7 Series’ 3,215 mm
- Fixed rear seats, while the BMW has power-adjustable rear seats
- Smaller 509-litre boot versus 525 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 677,800 | RM 459,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 308 hp | — |
| Torque | 450 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp | 603 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | 710 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | Lithium-Ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 18.7 kWh | 102 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 87 km | 610 km✓ |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | 22 kW✓ |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 420 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Automatic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds | 4.15 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 22 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 5,139 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 2,241 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,459 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 3,069 mm |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 509 litres |
| Front Tyre | — | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | — | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | No | — |
| Factory Tyres | — | Pirelli P-Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | — | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys |
| Front Brakes | — | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | — | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | Continuous Dampening Control with Air Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags (2 Front, 2 Side, 2 Curtain, 1 Driver's Knee) | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | Fixed |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Sky Lounge Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 4 | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | 2x side sunshades, 1x rear sunshade | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Live Cockpit Professional system | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | 4 | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with Surround View |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Yes | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Tyre puncture repair kit |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125 | RM 1,440✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
7 Series vs Emeya FAQ
Is the BMW 7 Series or Lotus Emeya better?
The BMW 7 Series is better for rear-seat luxury and plug-in hybrid flexibility. The Lotus Emeya is better for EV performance, range, charging speed and price.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emeya is RM218,800 cheaper. It costs RM459,000, while the BMW 7 Series costs RM677,800.
Which has the better electric range and charging?
The Lotus Emeya is far ahead: 610 km range, 22 kW AC charging and 420 kW DC charging. The BMW 7 Series has 87 km EV range and 7.4 kW AC charging.