Putting the BMW i7 to the Test: Luxury Meets Sustainability on Singapore's Roads
by Portfolio Magazine 10 Dec 2025
Two intrepid individuals took on the BMW i7 Sustainability Challenge, discovering how the all-electric flagship blends performance, comfort, and eco-conscious driving in everyday life.
Luxury, sustainability, and everyday life: Can they truly coexist on the road?
The BMW i7 Sustainability Challenge by Performance Motors Limited invited Portfolio friends and readers to test this very question. Two driving enthusiasts – Sean Lim, serial entrepreneur and high-octane car lover, and Wang Lin Feng, an interior designer passionate about sustainable living – took the wheel to see how the i7 blends performance, luxury, and eco-conscious driving in real-world conditions.
From their first impressions to how the i7 reshaped their daily drives, their experiences show that electric mobility is no longer a compromise but a new standard in lifestyle-driven luxury.
SEAN LIM: THRILL MEETS SUSTAINABILITY
WANG LIN FENG: DESIGN MEETS SUSTAINABILITY
THE VERDICT: ELECTRIC LUXURY REDEFINED
Sean Lim: Thrill Meets Sustainability
Motivation & First Impressions “I’m all about the thrill of a roaring engine, but Singapore’s going green, and I wanted to see if an EV could keep up with my usual automotive desires,” Lim reveals. “The i7’s a beast of a luxury sedan – the cabin felt like a spaceship. And when I floored it, the instant kick – 0-100km/h in under 5 seconds – had me grinning. No engine growl, though, which felt weird, but gliding through Orchard Road in near silence was quite cool.”
Range & Driving Experience Lim quickly discovered that the i7’s electric range gave him freedom he didn’t expect. “It’s smooth, punches hard, and handles tight turns like Fort Canning better than I expected for a big boy,” he says. “I didn’t stress about fuel stops, just planned around quick charges at places like Shell. It made me chill more, enjoying the drive along East Coast Park instead of chasing revs. Still, I missed the roar one would expect of supercars, but the quiet power was a fresh vibe.”
Lifestyle & Comfort For Lim, the i7 enhanced his daily routine. “The seats? Pure comfort, like chilling in a spa after a long day at work. That massive rear screen kept my niece and nephew entertained while stuck in traffic. Driving emission-free felt good – freedom without the guilt.”
Integration Into Daily Life “The i7’s a dope daily driver. It’s got the grunt to satisfy my speed itch and enough range for my runs across town, from meetings in Shenton Way to dinners at Marina Bay. I’d keep my V8s for weekend thrills and let the i7 handle the daily grind – strong road presence, comfortable journeys, all while going green.”
SEAN LIM: THRILL MEETS SUSTAINABILITY
WANG LIN FENG: DESIGN MEETS SUSTAINABILITY
THE VERDICT: ELECTRIC LUXURY REDEFINED
Wang Lin Feng: Design Meets Sustainability
Motivation & First Impressions “My motivation was twofold: Professional curiosity and personal ethos,” Wang Lin Feng explains. “As an interior designer, I specify sustainable materials for clients’ homes. The BMW i7 felt like the automotive equivalent – a luxury experience that doesn’t borrow from the future.”
Wang describes the first drive as a serene transition: “The cabin became an instant sanctuary – a mobile extension of the calm, curated spaces I strive to create. Setting off was not an ignition; it was a hushed, smooth glide into a new environment.”
Range & Driving Experience “The stated range felt more like a permission slip than a parameter,” he reflects. “The anxiety of ‘range’ was replaced by the luxury of ‘flow’. I didn’t plan a route based on charging stations; I curated a journey based on ambience and mood. Traffic became a moment of respite, not frustration.”
Lifestyle & Comfort Wang Lin Feng highlights the i7 as a masterclass in intelligent design. “The seats are sculptural, offering tailored support. The air suspension and acoustic glass created a ‘floating salon’ effect, while the BMW Theatre Screen and 4D Bowers & Wilkins system made me feel like I was ‘within’ the sounds. Driving became a conscious, luxurious choice.”
Integration Into Daily Life “My daily life blends client meetings, sourcing materials, and seeking inspiration. The i7 elevates every segment – a moving conference room for clear calls, an inspiration capsule with crisp lines and tactile materials, and a decompression chamber after a hectic day. It’s not just a vehicle I’d drive; it’s an environment I’d love to inhabit daily.”
SEAN LIM: THRILL MEETS SUSTAINABILITY
WANG LIN FENG: DESIGN MEETS SUSTAINABILITY
THE VERDICT: ELECTRIC LUXURY REDEFINED
The Verdict: Electric Luxury Redefined
The BMW i7 Sustainability Challenge is part of a series organised by Performance Motors Limited to help more people better understand electric vehicles and how these fit into their daily lifestyles. Invited participants get to take an BMW electric vehicle for extended test drives overnight.
Through the experiences of Lim and Wang, it’s clear that the BMW i7 isn’t just about electric range or sustainability metrics. It transforms driving into an experience – one that balances performance, comfort, and conscious living. For avid drivers seeking luxury without compromise, the i7 proves that sustainability and thrill can coexist on the road.
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