The BMW Group is partnering with Croatia-based Rimac Technology on a new high-voltage battery system for the all-electric BMW i7. The updated sedan will use BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive battery technology paired with Rimac’s manufacturing capabilities. The new BMW i7 is set for its world premiere at Auto China 2026 in Beijing on April 22.
Highlights
- The new i7 adopts BMW’s Gen6 4695 cylindrical lithium-ion cells, which offer 20% higher volumetric energy density than the Gen5 prismatic cells they replace.
- The battery combines Gen6 cell technology with the established Gen5 module architecture to deliver increased range and faster charging.
- Rimac Technology manufactures the battery packs at its new Rimac Campus in Croatia for assembly at BMW’s Dingolfing plant in Germany.
- The collaboration marks Rimac’s continued shift from niche hypercar supplier to high-volume Tier 1 partner.
Gen6 Cell Technology in a Flagship Sedan
The Gen6 eDrive platform centers on a 4695-format cylindrical lithium-ion cell. Compared to the prismatic cells used in BMW’s Gen5 architecture, the new format delivers a 20% improvement in volumetric energy density. That translates to more usable energy in the same packaging space.
Rather than designing an entirely new module structure, BMW and Rimac integrated the Gen6 cells into the existing Gen5 module layout. The result is increased total pack capacity and faster DC charging speeds, though BMW did not disclose specific range or charging figures ahead of the Beijing debut.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Rimac Technology produces the completed battery packs at its Rimac Campus facility in Croatia. The packs are shipped ready for installation to BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, which remains the sole global production site for the 7 Series.
“We are quickly rolling out the technologies of the Neue Klasse across our entire model portfolio – including, of course, in our all-electric luxury sedan. The teams of both companies have developed a tailor-made solution for the new BMW i7,” said Dr. Thomas Engelhardt, Senior VP Development High-Voltage Storage and Charging at BMW Group. “The excellent collaboration with Rimac Technology is a good example of European innovative strength.”
Rimac’s Tier 1 Expansion
Rimac Technology operates as a Tier 1 supplier within the broader Rimac Group, offering high-voltage battery systems, e-axles, and integrated electronics and software. The BMW partnership underscores the company’s transition from supplying limited-run hypercars to supporting volume production programs.
“BMW has always been known for pushing engineering to the highest level, which made this collaboration especially exciting for us. Together, we developed a high-voltage battery system that unlocks the full potential of the new cylindrical cells in record time, delivering significant improvements in energy, range, and charging performance. We are proud to now see this system being produced at scale at our new Rimac Campus,” said Mate Rimac, Founder and President of Rimac Group, CEO and CTO of Bugatti Rimac.
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