BMW 7 Series

Outside, the new 7-Series showcases a design that compared to the controversial outcoming model appears more balanced, especially in the rear end.

The car adopts some design elements used on the latest BMW models, such as the prominent double-kidney front grille combined with large streamlined front projectors.

The roof, doors, hood and side panels are all made from aluminium.

The two gasoline-powered cars will be offered with a long-wheelbase body too. All three engines produce more power yet use less fuel and produce less emissions than the models they replace.

The BMW 7 Series goes on sale on November, 2008. Prices will be announced closer to launch.

Design

Speaking about the design of the new 7-Series, BMW Design Director Adrian van Hooydonk explains: "We have come up with a lot of very interesting new details. In the overall first impression I believe the car is very harmonic, elegant and looks very stretched."

"I think the presence is expressed best in the front view, where the hood underlines the car’s width.

"There is not a lot of scuplture, there are only two lines coming from the A pillars and running towards the kidney-shaped grille.

"The grille is set further forward and more vertical than in any BMW up until now.

The sportiness comes across in the new proportions – the length to height to width ratios – while the elegance is expressed through the lines.

"If you look at the side view, you see a very long line running from the front lamps all the way along the body side into the rear lamps.

"This line – which also integrates the door handles – stretches the vehicle and that brings elegance. The same effect is achieved through the line that defines the side window contours, which is accentuated by a chrome strip."

Interior

Inside, new features include a new iDrive controller and larger 10.2-inch screen; the instrument cluster comprises a high-resolution colour display with Black Panel technology.

This new style of display makes for greater character clarity and, when not in use, forms a smooth, homogenous black surface.

Customers can upload their favourite music to be stored on the onboard 8Gb hard drive.

Four-zone automatic air-conditioning is fitted as standard while a rear seat ventilation system combined with massage function can be choosen as an optional.

The air-conditioning system feeds cool air to the seat squab and backrest, while twelve massage bubbles gently kneed the occupants’ upper body.

The BMW 7 Series comes with BMW ConnectedDrive. This facility features elements such as a dedicated call centre with a concierge service, automatic fault awareness and BMW Assist, the electronic safety net that automatically dials the emergency services in the event of an accident, free of charge for three years.

Engines

The flagship of the BMW model range will initially be offered with a choice of three powerplants, one diesel and two petrol engines.

* Electronically-limited.

The 7-Series previous model – 750i (2005)

The new all-aluminium 3.0-litre straight-six cylinder diesel engine posts the lowest ever CO2 figure (192g/km) of any previous BMW 7 Series and it is also the most economical 7 Series ever with a 39.2mpg combined fuel consumption.

The all-aluminium V8 engine powering the 750i and 750Li also features its own world first – twin-turbochargers and catalysts that are placed within the V-space of the engine block.

Double-VANOS variable valve technology and high-precision direct injection technology further aid engine performance to the degree that all the innovations combine to offer a V8 engine that has an equivalent output of a traditional 12-cylinder unit.

Technical Features

The double-wishbone front suspension allows to fine-tune the suspension for the best kinematic configuration, while the rear suspension consists of a five-link arrangement made of aluminium which can be further optimised with the inclusion of Adaptive Air Suspension.

Brake Energy Regeneration uses the engine’s power on overrun, such as braking, to charge the battery for the car’s electrical circuit.

When the driver is accelerating the alternator disengages so all of the engine’s power is channelled towards the car’s performance.

Other ancillaries, such as the air-conditioning compressor, are also able to disengage to improve the all round performance of the car.

In addition to Park Distance Control, the Side View camera system can show an overview of traffic conditions on the iDrive display. This allows the driver to negotiate a partially obscured junction, leave a car park or drive through a narrow gate with absolute confidence.

The Night Vision system includes a pedestrian recognition system: a control unit analyses video data of human behaviour as part of the Night Vision camera’s reach and can subsequently alert the driver if it detects a human is moving into the path of the vehicle.

Among the additional electronic suystems are the Lane Change Warning combined with Lane Departure Warning, optional Head-up Display and the speed-related Integral Active Steering, which allows the rear wheels to turn by up to 3º. At slow speeds it is highly manoeuvrable, while at a faster pace it offers enhanced composure and driving dynamics.

The Drive Dynamic Control featuring Variable Damping Control can be set in comfort, normal, sport, sport + modes. The selected mode alters the throttle response, gear change speed and steering feel.

The BMW 7 Series comes as standard with Dynamic Stability Control + featuring additional functions such as Hill-Start Assistant, Brake Drying, Brake Pre-tensioning, Soft-stop and Brake Fade Compensation. Dynamic Traction Control can be activated via a button to enable sporty driving or greater traction on slippery surfaces such as snow and ice.

(Source: BMW)