BMW 7 Series gets an update, with some minor exterior changes. The grille’s chrome surround is now larger and there are now nine slats instead of 12. With their elegant accent strip and hallmark BMW corona rings, the optional new full-LED headlights accentuate the unmistakable appearance of the BMW 7 Series. The large, full-width air intake dominating the lower section of the modified front apron is now split into three sections, a pair of chrome bars marking its outer sections and adding further depth to the car’s sporty looks. Two narrow vertical air intakes sit beyond even the LED foglamps to the left and right of the wide intake. These are included as part of the “air curtain” technology, which lowers fuel consumption at higher speeds by forcing the air to flow more aerodynamically around the front wheels. The design of the air curtain therefore represents a fine technological advertisement for the BMW EfficientDynamics strategy. A new design feature that stands out from the side is the indicator integrated into the lower section of each exterior mirror, which makes the car easier to see and therefore safer to drive.
Inside the car, Dakota leather and Nappa leather can now be ordered in Ivory White with the world colour Black and Veneto Beige with the world colour Veneto Beige. The front seats are newly designed offering the best possible ergonomics, optimum lateral support and ultimate long-distance comfort. Sports seats and multifunction seats are also available in place of the standard items. The latter can be ordered with a folding table in the backrest or with the Rear Seat Entertainment package as an option. A brand-new feature are the 9.2-inch screens which, instead of being integrated into the front seats, appear to be “floating” on them. Their exclusive design takes its inspiration from the latest breed of flatscreen monitors, which gives them an extremely slight and lightweight look. The new BMW 7 Series can be specified as an option with individual rear seats that can be adjusted to suit individual requirements. The backrest angle and seat position can both be varied, as can the position of the head restraints. The controls are the same as those for the front seats with memory function.
All new BMW 7 Series models – with the exception of the xDrive variants – come equipped with Electronic Power Steering (EPS), which uses an electric motor to provide steering assistance. EPS only operates when steering assistance is actually required: no electrical power is consumed during straightline driving or steady-state cornering. Noticeable attributes of this system include not only its high efficiency and low weight, but also high steering precision with good feedback, and comfort-enhancing self-centering and anti-roll characteristics. BMW 7 Series drivers also have the benefit of the steering system’s standard Servotronic function, which has a more direct set-up overall and requires less steering effort.
Alongside the flagship BMW 760i with its 12-cylinder powerplant and the entry-level engine in the BMW 730i, customers can choose from the new six-cylinder in-line engine powering the BMW 740i and the revised V8 petrol engine earmarked for the BMW 750i. The six-cylinder diesel engines in the BMW 730d and BMW 740d likewise offer drivers the combination of increased output and lower fuel consumption. Making its debut, meanwhile, is the new BMW 750d xDrive. Rounding off the range is the second-generation BMW ActiveHybrid 7 with a new six-cylinder in-line engine and significantly reduced emissions.
