BMW's new 7 Series is the luxury car of the future

2016 BMW 7 Series

 BMW’s new 7 Series limo has been unveiled today, making its official debut after months of spy photos and leaked images.

new BMW 7 Series

In its all-new 2016 guise, the big 7 Series is lighter than ever, while packing plenty of power, comfort, technology and a nifty new self-parking system.

And when we say ‘self-parking’, we mean 'almost entirely autonomous', Without you even needing to be at the helm - although you do need to be nearby, with the clever new key fob in hand.

BMW 7 Series

The new device, which includes a small 2.2 inch colour touchscreen, will allow you to have your 7 Series roll out of the garage on its own, and then put itself away at the end of a long day of luxurious cruising.

BMW 7 Series

Your own pocket valet? Neat trick.

Other and perhaps more significant advancements include the big new sedan’s weight loss efforts, with new materials and construction methods shaving up to 200kg from its kerb weight.

That’s thanks to a greater use of carbon fibre in the new 7 Series sedan’s design, along with high-strength steel, aluminium, magnesium and plastic.

The 7 Series will again be offered in short (G11) and long (G12) forms, riding on 3070mm and 3210mm wheelbases.

By comparison, the new Mercedes S-Class offers 3035 and 3165mm wheelbases, although that extends to huge 3365 and 4418mm options in Maybach form.

The longest version of BMW’s new limo, at 5238mm overall, is also the longest 7 Series ever offered.

Don’t expect BMW to match the Maybach models in length of luxury, either: that mission belongs to the brand’s upmarket Rolls-Royce brand.

The new 7 Series doesn’t exactly skimp on technology and features, though.

Along with the remote valet system, the new limo will feature a gesture-controlled infotainment display, wireless phone charging, an optional 7.0 inch control tablet, an even an ‘Ambient Air’ system for a fresh scent in the cabin.

There’s self-levelling air suspension at both ends, dynamic damping control that adapts to driving style and road conditions, and optional electromechanical anti-roll bars.

Driving aids include active cruise control for both speed and steering - allowing a level of autonomous driving at highway speeds - along with Traffic Jam Assistant so that you can sit through gridlock without touching the pedals.


On the powertrain front, there’s the hero 750i models, driven by BMW’s 330kW and 650Nm 4.4 litre biturbo V8, while the 740i models get a 240kW/450Nm 3.0 litre inline-six.

BMW says the big V8 will propel the 750i to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds, bringing it mighty close to the hero M5 sedan. Fuel consumption is listed at a relatively slim 8.1 l/100km.

In the 740i, the turbo six promises a 0-100km/h time of 5.5 seconds, with fuel use dropping to 6.6 l/100km.

Importantly, the range will also include plug-in hybrid models, in the form of the 740e range. Those are driven by a petrol-electric combo that pairs a 190kW/400Nm 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine with a 70kW/250Nm electric motor.

BMW says the plug-in hybrid models will offer fuel consumption figures of around 2.1 l/100km, but despite its frugal drive system, the 740e is no slouch: the company also promises a 0-100km/h time of just 5.6 seconds.

A diesel model will also feature, in the form of the 195kW/620Nm 3.0 litre 730d. That huge torque figure contributes to a 0-100km/h time of 6.1 seconds in rear-wheel-drive form, dropping to 5.8 seconds in xDrive all-wheel-drive form. Fuel consumption is listed at 4.5 and 4.8 l/100km respectively.

The new 7 Series will hit Australia later this year, with exact timing and pricing still to be confirmed.