All-new BMW 7-Series officially revealed!

BMW has officially unveiled the new 7-Series limousine. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Audi A8 rival features evolutionary design changes and the new car is lighter by up to 130 kgs, when compared to the outgoing model. The new BMW 7 Series is the first car in its segment in which industrially manufactured CFRP combines with steel and aluminium to form the new carbon core body structure.

The fascia still looks familiar, with the highlight being the restyled headlamp clusters. Full LED headlights are standard, while buyers have the option of upgrading to the optional laser lights. The new 7-Series gets a few more additions like the LED fog lamps and restyled air dam, while the BMW kidney grille sits in direct contact with the bonnet.

To the side, we see a silver insert that runs from the front fender to the end of the rear door, a thicker chrome surround for the windows and new wing mirrors. The rear end was among the first facets of the G11 7-Series to be spied and features new tail lights, with a chrome strip that runs between them and a tweaked rear bumper with dual tail pipes.

On the inside, the iDrive display now features a touch screen and you also get the BMW gesture control. Hand movements detected by a 3D sensor control infotainment functions such as volume modulation and telephony. You can also pair a certain gesture with a specific function. The centre console also gets a new smartphone holder which allows wireless, inductive charging for mobile phones.

Other features include 4-zone climate control, electrically adjustable seats with the massage function in the rear, seat ventilation, plus the optional executive lounge seating, executive lounge rear console and rear-seat entertainment with BMW touch command. The executive lounge seating option increases space in the rear seat behind the front passenger seat, which can slide forward by an additional 90 mm and has an electrically extendable footrest integrated into its backrest. The executive lounge rear console houses a fold-out table, additional cup-holders and the touch command system, which is a removable 7-inch tablet computer that facilitates control of the infotainment and comfort functions on offer.

BMW also offers the remote control parking function, which parks the car using buttons on the new display key. The process is semi-automated and the key holder controls the forward and reverse functions, while looking out for obstacles.

Engine options are as follows:

- 4.4L, petrol V8 that makes 442.5 BHP and 650 Nm of torque (750i xDrive / 750Li xDrive).

- 3.0L, petrol V6 that makes 322 BHP and 450 Nm of torque (740i / 740Li).

- 3.0L, diesel V6 that makes 261 BHP and 620 Nm of torque (730d / 730Ld / 730d xDrive / 730Ld xDrive).

All engine comes mated with an eight-speed steptronic automatic transmission. A 2.0L, hybrid four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 322 BHP is also on offer (740e / 740Le / 740Le xDrive). Running on the 94 BHP electric motor alone, the hybrid 7-Series can hit a top speed of 120 km/h and manage a range of around 40 kms.

The new BMW 7 Series will be built, at the BMW plant in Dingolfing.