Here’s what you need to know about the new BWW 7 Series

New BMW 7 Series

One might have thought that it’s a bit soon for BMW to be face-lifting their flagship model – you see; the 7 Series is not something that comes around every 5 minutes. When revisions are made to the model, they are never too drastic as one might argue that the ‘cream of the crop’ should not be fiddled with, but the facelifted BMW 7 Series, due in South Africa in the second quarter of 2019, has received quite the refresh. Here’s the low down on BMW’s rejuvenated flagship.

At the time of its introduction in 2016, the G11/12 7 Series caused quite the stir thanks to its lightweight construction, exceptional driving dynamics and class-leading technology. World firsts such as being able to park the car remotely with the car key and a third-person 360° parking camera were just two of the dazzling array of features The 7 offered in 2016. Offered in both standard and long wheelbase forms, South Africa will only be getting the long wheelbase 7’s, perhaps in a response to market research and consumer trends. Total length of the new 7 Series has increased by 22 millimeters to 5 260 millimeters.

Styling

BMW’s kidney grille is perhaps one of the most defining features of any of the Bavarian automakers vehicles, along with BMW’s signature four-eyed face, both of which have now been resized with the kidneys now being significantly larger than before, and the headlights notably smaller. LED headlights are standard across the range with BMW’s Laserlight featuring as an optional extra. The BMW roundel on the 50 millimeter higher bonnet is now larger, too.

Slightly larger integrated tailpipes and sleeker and sculpted LED taillights make up the rear which now features a distinctive 6 millimeter thin LED light strip which spans the width of the new 7 a la Porsche. It’s all very handsome and while it brings the new 7’s looks more in line with those of the all-new 3 Series, it is still unmistakably a 7 Series.

Interior and Tech

Additional interior options such as extended quilting on the door panels tie in with more trim options to make the cabin all that you would expect from the best of the best. There’s a bit more space for passengers too and a considerable amount of work has gone into reducing exterior noise within the cabin.

“Hey BMW” will prompt BMW’s new Intelligent Personal assistant to, well, assist you in whatever you may need with voice-activated functions ranging from seat ventilation, heating and massage functions, to ambient lighting, air conditioning and window blind operation. BMW’s new digital instrument cluster now features as standard, too. Dubbed BMW Live Cockpit Professional, it comprises a 12.3-inch fully digital, high-resolution instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a 10.25-inch iDrive Display. This package of equipment also features an adaptive navigation system and a hard-drive-based multimedia system with 20 GB of memory. 10-inch full HD touchscreens now feature in the back too, with integrated Blu-ray player and version 7.0 of BMW’s Operation system, capable of remote software updates.

The local lineup will consist of two petrol, one diesel and a plug-in hybrid derivative, badged 750Li xDrive, M760Li xDrive, 730Ld and the 745Le respectively. It’s nice to see the 745 moniker making a return for those who remember its significance in the South African market…

Engines

The 750Li xDrive features a newly-developed twin-turbocharged petrol unit with a stonking 390 kW and 750 N.m available from just 1 800 rpm. The big daddy of the range is the ballistic M760Li with its exquisite 430 kW turbocharged V12.

The 745Le will boast a specially tuned six-cylinder inline petrol motor mated to an advanced high-voltage battery and an 83 kW electric motor which come together to return fuel consumption as little as 2.1 l/100 km, yet will be capable of 0-100 km/h in less than 5.3 seconds. Combined power outputs of the petrol and electric motor are 290 kW and 600 N.m.

The 730Ld will be propelled by a single-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six diesel motor with outputs of 195 kW and 620 N.m, returning an average fuel consumption of as little as 5.3 l/100km.

Unfortunately, the all-new quad-turbocharged variant, the 750d/Ld hasn’t been confirmed for our market. This sublime piece of engineering features multi-stage turbocharging with four turbochargers and direct injection operating at over 2 500 bar. This straight-six diesel motor can propel the luxo-barge to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds with its 294 kW and 760 N.m of torque, available from as low-down as 2000 rpm.

BMW 7 Series Facelift Pricing in South Africa

There’s no news on local pricing at this stage which will be confirmed closer to launch in Q2 2019.