The new BMW 7-Series is set to reinforce its position as the most innovative sedan in the luxury segment. The flagship model series of the BMW fleet embodies sporting elegance, refined powertrain technology and luxurious comfort in equal measure. And now, by making a clear step up in terms of product substance, the Sedan is set to underline its leadership. New LED headlights, an upgraded interior with optimised soundproofing, markedly improved ride comfort, a comprehensive selection of optional equipment and state-of-the-art safety technology combine to create an in-car experience from the top drawer. A line-up of either new or optimised drive systems, including the world’s most powerful six-cylinder in-line diesel engine and the second-generation BMW ActiveHybrid 7, set new performance and efficiency benchmarks.
Design: Stylish presence, unique equipment features, an unforgettable way to cover the miles
The BMW 7-Series meets the highest global standards when it comes to aesthetic appeal and innovative technology. In the luxury sedan segment it represents the epitome of athletic elegance and a supreme driving experience. The upgraded BMW 7-Series reaffirms its stylish presence and sporting prowess in 2012 through expressive new design features at the front and rear. Its dimensions have changed only marginally, but its eight-millimetre drop in overall height imbues its sweeping lines with extra expression and emphasises the perfect balance of the car’s dynamic proportions.
All-new headlights sharpen the presence of the BMW 7-Series
From the front, the long, broad bonnet of the BMW 7-Series gives it an elegant and expressive profile. The precise contour lines of the bonnet draw the eye to the upright new BMW kidney grille as they extend forward. The grille’s chrome surround is now larger, a change which – together with a new slat arrangement (nine slats instead of 12) – gives it greater prominence and reinforces the car’s presence on the road. 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.
Hallmark BMW proportions, such as a long wheelbase, short front overhang, long, sweeping bonnet and set-back passenger compartment with a coupe-like roofline, define the sporting and elegant silhouette of the BMW 7-Series. 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.
The powerful rear of the BMW 7-Series exudes a feeling of sporting assurance. The horizontal lines and subdivision of the rear into several levels visually lowers the height of the car. The design of the brand’s familiar L-shaped rear lights, linked by an eye-catching chrome strip, remains unchanged. They are, however, richer in contrast thanks to differing shades of red. A second, delicately sculpted chrome strip draws a visual connection between the two slim reflectors in the rear apron and gives the rear view a more exclusive and solid feel overall. Another slim chrome bar between the four chromed tailpipe embellishers in the rear apron is a distinguishing feature of the 12-cylinder flagship model.
Exclusive design for the new Rear Seat Entertainment package
The picture of stylish exclusivity and luxurious character is painted with equal clarity inside the new 7-Series. The interior possesses an undeniable air of quality and harmoniousness. Smoothly flowing forms, exquisite materials and stylish colour combinations determine the car’s luxurious overall impression. 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 outstanding build quality of the BMW 7-Series reflects the attention to detail of the car’s creators, and evidence of the precise craftsmanship at work is striking.
A typical feature of BMW interiors is their unflinching focus on the driver – the way in which they gravitate ergonomically towards the person behind the wheel. In the new 7-Series, this includes the addition of newly designed, more slender front seats 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.
The long-wheelbase version of the BMW 7-Series provides the ideal platform on which to maximise long-distance comfort. All of the 140 millimetres added to the wheelbase of the standard-length 7-Series are used to lay on a calm and relaxed journey for the rear passengers in a first-class environment. Indeed, changes to the roofline of the long-wheelbase version create 10 millimetres of extra headroom in the rear.
New screen experience: the multifunctional instrument display
A particular highlight of the BMW 7-Series is the multifunctional instrument display, which makes its debut appearance on the options list. In place of the traditional instrument cluster – in which four circular analogue dials keep the driver informed of the car’s speed, engine revs, fuel level and oil temperature -an almost seamlessly integrated 10.25-inch display provides a totally new and appealing screen experience consciously inspired by the looks of the latest electronic devices.
While the familiar format of four circular instruments is retained here, the extended black-panel technology hands the driver a whole new set of display options. For example, the display shows varying information and different colour and mood worlds in the COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO driving experience modes, ensuring greater safety and efficiency and demonstrating an exemplary focus on the driver. The information shown is tailored to the driving mode currently engaged and therefore changes accordingly. All of which means the display the driver sees in the instrument cluster is always the optimum one for the driving situation at hand.
While COMFORT mode brings a classic layout with four solid circular instruments, in ECO PRO and SPORT modes the rings open to offer additional space for extra information between the two instruments. In ECO PRO mode the display turns blue in colour and the rev counter morphs into an Efficient Dynamics display to show how efficiently the car is being driven. Here drivers can monitor how hard they have their foot on the accelerator, how much fuel the car is currently using and whether any energy is being recovered through recuperation. If they are pressing too forcefully on the accelerator, the full display turns grey and alerts them to the amount of fuel they are burning unnecessarily. A speedometer zoom function can also be activated in ECO PRO and COMFORT modes. This enlarges the position of the speedo needle as if a magnifying glass were being passed over it, making it even easier to see.
In SPORT mode the display takes on a signature BMW orange hue. This display mode purposefully retains a very puristic look and only shows the driver the most essential information, so that he can maintain maximum concentration on the road ahead. The speedometer shows the car’s speed in digital form only with a large, centrally positioned figure, while the gear currently engaged is boldly displayed in the middle of the rev counter if the driver is shifting manually using the steering wheel paddles. As well as the changes in colour, the displays in the instrument cluster also deliver additional information tailored to the situation at hand – such as status and function updates, Check/Control messages and navigation instructions – which drivers can call up as and when they wish.
All the engines available for the new 7-Series team up with an intelligent eight-speed automatic transmission and distinguish themselves with significantly reduced fuel consumption and emissions. The Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration and the second-generation Driving Experience Control switch with ECO PRO mode offer additional potential for fuel-saving. Carefully optimised suspension and Electric Power Steering for all rear-wheel-drive models also take driving comfort to a new level, while self-levelling air suspension for the rear axle likewise comes as standard on all models.
Alongside the flagship BMW 760i with 12-cylinder powerplant and the entry-level engine in the BMW 730i (not available in all markets), customers can choose from the new six-cylinder in-line unit powering the BMW 740i and the revised V8 petrol engine in the BMW 750i. The six-cylinder diesel engines in the BMW 730d and BMW 740d also offer drivers the combination of increased output and lower fuel consumption. Making its debut, meanwhile, is the new BMW 750d xDrive. Under its bonnet lies the new TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder diesel engine – the world’s most powerful diesel engine of its kind. Rounding off the range is the second-generation BMW ActiveHybrid 7 with new six-cylinder in-line engine and significantly reduced emissions.
