This year is shaping up to be the most important in battery electric car (BEV) history with new releases from all major markets including the U.S., Japan, Korea, China and Europe.

In the U.S. we will see the introduction of BEVs like the Rivian R1S pickup with a reported EPA range of 316 miles and costing $70,000. Meanwhile the highly acclaimed $45,000 Kia EV6 with a claimed range of 310 miles should enter showrooms by the end of spring.

Following on from the game-changing $84,000 BMW iX of 2021, the German carmaker has reportedly just started deliveries of the i4 model with a starting price of $56,000 and boasting range of 301 miles. Then, in May, Ford will introduce its F-150 Lightning starting at $39,000 and delivering upwards of 300 miles of range with an extended battery pack.

The luxury Cadillac Lyriq is expected to land in showrooms in early summer starting at $60,000 and EPA range of up to 300 miles. Meanwhile the Mercedes Benz EQB luxury SUV is slated for a summer launch and offer EPA range of 240 miles. The launch of Tesla’s radical Cybertruck has reportedly been delayed until late 2022 due to supply issues.

Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is a dazzling affair. Here, on the shores of Lake Como, a splendor quite removed from the realities of our current times, sit exquisite motor cars of another time alongside a sprinkling of new metal that looks to the future. This year, among the parade, is the i7, BMW’s pinnacle electric car. Framed by the 16th-century villa, its presence is discreet — almost shy. This is not a product that wants to shout its wealth and knowledge. Rather, with experience being the new luxury, the i7 is entirely devoted to providing just that.

I’m stopping off at Villa d’Este en route to other parts of Italy on an assignment to explore another world straddling past and future, tradition and innovation: wine. The story of wine may go back much further than that of the motor car, but they share similar challenges. With deep environmental concerns and an evolving consumer landscape, future-facing makers are looking at how best to marry the past with a more progressive future that is ultimately kinder to the planet.

They say crises can offer an opportunity for a new renaissance. BMW seems to think so. The marque has been at the forefront of electrification with the i3 and i8 premiering the new electric age. It’s hard to believe these cars are now almost a decade old, yet in terms of design, they broke rules and explored new ways of making. Not all these brave ideas have made it directly to the mainstream electric-powered production cars, but you can trace ideas from the two in the current models including this latest i7.

The 31.3-inch Theatre Screen couldn’t have been an easy task to achieve.

The panoramic big screen in the rear passenger area, new to this segment, can show two separate movies at once or be programmed to project ambient lighting. It isn’t fixed to the backrest and can be folded away. We did a lot of tests to make sure you don’t get motion sickness by allowing the passengers to peer under the screen.

And can you explain the crystal bar at the front?

In much the same way as modern architecture where you don’t see ventilation and heating functions anymore, the crystal bar incorporates functions such as air ventilation. I was inspired by (architect and designer) Patricia Urquiola’s work as she creates in a warm, welcoming, very human way. We didn’t want to do a luxury that is cold.

I’m pleased to see you’ve moved away from traditional leather upholstery on the surfaces to work with a cashmere-wool blend which, to me, is a much more modern expression of luxury.

We’re very excited that for the first time in years we have cloth in our top-of-the-line car and it is a beautiful fabric. Cashmere is warmer than leather and is more welcoming. The material needs to be durable and we’ve found a solution to work with cashmere for automotive use. Cloth has long been the entry-level option with leather being at the top. We want to reverse this. I’m happy we launched this in the 7 as if you can succeed at the top level you are more chance of progressing further down the line. We are planning to go leather free with MINI and will review this option on our BMW car line-ups too.