BMW 7 Series in South Africa.

BMW leads the luxury segment into a new era that will be shaped by innovations in the fields of sustainability and digitalisation. With the new BMW 7 Series, the world’s most successful manufacturer of premium vehicles creates forward-looking ways to enjoy driving pleasure, unsurpassed long-distance comfort and a top-end digital experience. Central to this reinterpretation is the BMW i7. The all-electric luxury sedan is a fully integrated member of the model family and clearly demonstrates how an exclusive driving experience and the ultimate feeling of on-board wellbeing can be combined with an unwavering commitment to sustainability.

The generation change at the pinnacle of BMW’s model range is wrapped up in a new definition of luxury that focuses on the individual and their personal attitudes, needs and emotions. In addition to presence, elegance and exclusive premium quality, there is a progressive approach characterised by innovations that directly enhance the user experience, wide-ranging connectivity and standard-setting sustainability of the car. In this way, the new BMW 7 Series has been designed to meet the needs of a modern target group that sees itself as committed to meeting challenges in a responsible manner – and one that views personal mobility as a way to experience unique moments in everyday life and on trips away.

A symbol of innovative strength and a milestone in the current model offensive.
The new BMW 7 Series incorporates a modern style that focuses on the essentials in its exterior and interior design. The front-end design for BMW vehicles in the luxury segment is dominated by features that are typical of the brand, but a clear distinction is maintained between these models and the others in the BMW range. Innovative features such as the BMW Theatre Screen, the multi-sensory vehicle experience BMW iDrive with the latest generation of BMW Operating System 8, plus the BMW Curved Display and the Manoeuvre Assistant for automated parking and manoeuvring, highlight the progressive character of the luxury sedan. In addition to the enhanced level of comfort and the unique in-car entertainment system, the Executive Lounge option for the rear with optimised reclining seat position and new BMW Individual Merino leather/cashmere wool interior trim takes a pioneering route to maximising wellbeing inside the car.

Forty-five years on from the debut of the BMW 7 Series, the seventh model generation takes to the stage as the most advanced and innovative vehicle in the luxury segment. At the same time, the new edition captures the imagination with an overall design coherence unmatched by any rival. The BMW 7 Series is therefore once again a symbol of the BMW Group’s innovative strength.

Its global market launch, starting in November 2022, marked a key milestone in BMW's current model offensive in the luxury segment. The BMW i7 xDrive60 and the BMW 740i were available in South Africa at launch in Q4 2022, to be followed by the BMW 740d xDrive in the second half of 2023. 

Exterior design: expressive, imposing and exclusive.

The visually powerful and exclusive appearance of the new BMW 7 Series signals the presence of a standout driving experience and progressive luxury, combined with the exceptional spaciousness and innovative digital experience of the rear compartment. The upright front end and new interpretation of the twin circular headlights and BMW kidney grille – both signature BMW design elements – bring a powerful distinctive presence to the car's visuals. 

The new BMW 7 Series comes as standard with Adaptive LED Headlights, including matrix high beam and the BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling high beam assistant. The light functions are divided into two separate areas. The extremely slim strip of lights set higher up in the front end brings together the daytime driving lights, sidelights and turn indicators. The optional BMW crystal headlights Iconic Glow create a light effect unmatched by any other car. Here, crystals from Swarovski - arrange in L-shapes and each backlit by LED units - perform the role of sidelights and daytime driving lights. The low-beam and high-beam headlights are positioned in the dark lower units chiselled deep into the front apron. 

The impressive presence of the front end is also enhanced by the BMW kidney grille's contour lighting. Together with the BMW crystal headlights Iconic Glow, it lays on a visually expressive Welcome and Goodbye Scenario. Further specific design fetures of the new-generation model include the clear surface work of the front apron and the chiselled bonnet with dynamic streak down its centreline. 

With its monolithic surface design, exterior measurements that have grown in a discreet and harmonious way, and the forward-surging front end of the car, the side view of the new BMW 7 Series brims with visual elegance. This impression is reinforced by the virtually flush-fitted side windows with invisible seals. A shoulderline running from the daytime running lights into the rear lights subdivides the taut bodywork. The long doors provide ease of entry and exit for the rear passengers. 

Like the front end of the new BMW 7 Series, the eye-catching rear is also shaped by a clearly divided surface structure. The slim LED rear light units exude puristic elegance extend well into the car's flanks. 

The BMW i7 uses accents in BMW i Blue to advertise its segment-leading sustainability qualities, while the design elements included in the optional M Sport package radiate brand-typical dynamism. Also available is the M Sport package Pro. 

One non-metallic and nine metallic colour shade can be ordered for the paintwork of the new BMW 7 Series' body. Also available are four BMW Individual paint finishes, with extremely body BMW Individual special paint finishes set to be added to the range at a later state. A new addition to the spectrum of colours available from the factory for all model variants is a BMW Individual two-tone paint finish. 

Travelling comfort and wellbeing are taken to new heights.

Luxury at its most progressive awaits the driver and passengers inside the new BMW 7 Series. The interior reflects the balance between driving dynamics and travelling comfort that marks out the the new-generation model. To the driver, the new 7 Series is a alluringly dynamic sedan, while the rear-seat passengers can luxuriate in a feel-good ambience from another dimension.

The cockpit of the new BMW 7 Series has a significantly lower number of buttons, switches and controls than the predececssor. The key, here, is the commitment to digitalisation embodied by the BMW Curved Display. This fully digital screen grouping consists of a 12.3-inch information display behind steering wheel and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches. The steering wheel and the gear selector on the centre console also have a new design. And the BMW Interation Bar makes its debut here as a new breed of control / operation and design element. This functional unit, which boasts highly effective backlighting, extends across the full width of the instrument panel and well into the door panel trim. 

Unique: the BMW Theatre Screen and Amazon Fire TV.

The BMW Theatre Screen - extending down from the headline - with Amazon Fire TV built-in brings a unique entertainment offering for the rear-seat passengers. With its 31.3-inch touchscreen and 8K resolution, Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system with optional exciters in the seats, the 5.5-inch touch-controlled function operation displays in the rear doors (BMW Touch Command), it transforms the rear compartment of the BMW 7 Series into a private cinema lounge on wheels. Here, passengers can stream videos, play games, listen to music, get information, and watch downloaded programme - all while on the road. 

The driver and front passenger can also use YouTube video-on-demand streaming on the control display for the first time. The 5G-compatible aerial system in the new BMW 7 Series provides high-speed connectivity. 

Whatever the entertainment programme being enjoyed, BMW i7 customers will be greeted by another unmistakeable sound experience in the form of BMW IconicSounds Electric. For the first time, all the soundscapes developed as part of the collaboration between the BMW Group and renowned film score composer Hans Zimmer are available to provide the drive sound for the all-electric model variant. 

Upgraded Executive Lounge. 

The standard multifunction seats offer wider seat surfaces than the outgoing model, as well as extensive electric adjustment, seat heating and lumbar support for the driver and front passenger. The front and second rows include active seat ventilation with optimised cooling. A massage function with nine programs is optional, and seat heating is reserved for the rear seats only. 

The Executive Lounge option brings unbeatable seating comfort and a peerless feel-good factor to the rear compartment. It includes a reclining function with integrated gap-free leg rest for the space behind the front passenger seat. Upgrades made to the seat adjustment functions enable an extremely comfortable reclining position. 

Customers looking to bring a personal touch to the interior design of their new 7 Series can choose from the carefully coordinated equipment variants and colour combinations included in a newly-structured offering. One of the highlights of the new BMW 7 Series is the standard BMW Individual interior with exclusive elements, which can also be specified in the BMW Individual Merino leather / cashmere wool variant making its debut, here. 

Complementing the standard-fit four-zone automatic climate control with new slot-type vents is panel heating for the armrests in the door trim and the centre console. Also included as standard is the fixes panoramic glass sunroof, which is significantly larger than on the outgoing model. A new version of the Sky Lounge panoramic glass sunroof and an automatic door mechanism can be ordered as options. 

Efficient and powerful: market-specific drive system portfolio.
The new BMW 7 Series was designed from the ground up for particularly demanding target groups in a globalised marketplace. The new generation of luxury sedans from BMW opens up a whole new dimension in spaciousness. Unlike its predecessors, the new BMW 7 Series is available worldwide exclusively as a long-wheelbase model that maximises space in the rear. Different facets of its character are defined by the use of specific design features and drive system variants. The new BMW 7 Series range also includes a BMW i model, which allow its myriad characteristics – from elegant, modern and sustainable to expressive, sporty and dynamic – to be brought prominently to the fore.

The new BMW 7 Series now offers a choice of combustion engines and all-electric drive for the first time ever. The degree of diversity in the drive system portfolio is based on a newly developed flexible vehicle architecture and is an expression of a global model strategy for the new edition of the BMW 7 Series. This enables the BMW Group to take into consideration a customer’s individual needs, infrastructure factors and legal regulations in all relevant automotive markets around the world.

The new BMW 7 Series was launched exclusively in the form of the pure electric BMW i7 xDrive60, powered by two electric motors which together develop 400kW and an array of innovations that increase its range to 590 - 625 kilometers. In South Africa, two models with 48V mild hybrid technology were also be offered from the start of sales. A six-cylinder in-line diesel engine developing 220kW in the BMW 740d will be added to the drive system portfolio in the second half of 2023. 

Chassis technoloy delivers the ideal balance of comfort and dynamism.

The chassis technology of the new BMW 7 Series includes a host of innovations to help it strike the balance between driving dynamics and travelling comfort for this model. Providing the ideal bases here is an increase in body rigidity over the preceding model, plus larger tracks and wheels. Detail improvements have been made to both the standard two-axle air suspension and the optional Integral Active Steering. 

The active role stabilisation function, included as part of the optional Executive Drive Pro, now uses a 48V electric motor. As well as reducing rolling movements caused by bumps in the road on one side of the car, its new Active Roll Comford function also actively adjusts the body height on the corresponding side of the vehicle. Near-actuator wheel slip limitation ensures corrective inputs are carried out even faster and more precisely in demanding driving conditions. The latest generation of the integrated braking system now works with even greater precision, helping to provide assured handling and excellent pedal feel. 

Innovative technology for automated driving and parking.

The largest selection of automated driving and parking systems ever offered for a BMW model is available on the new BMW 7 Series. Its innovative technology toolkit lays the foundation for both the outstanding functionality of all current systems and the implementation of Level 3 automative driving functions in the medium term. The combination of Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, and the Steering and Lane Control Assistant, deliver a particularly intense experierence of automated driving. Automatic Speed Limit Assist, route monitoring function, traffic light recognition and Active Navigation enable the car's speed and steering movements to be adjusted extrement precisely to the situation at hand. 

On models fitted with Parking Assistant Professional, the Reversing Assistant can now carry out steering movements for distances of up to 200m. The Manouvre Assistant helps the driver to an even greater extent. On pre-stored manoeuvreing routes, this system automatically carries out all the tasks require, such as controlling the accelerator, brakes and steering, as well as changing gear to move forward or reverse.

The new vehicle experience BMW iDrive with BMW Operating System 8. 

Thenew multi-sensory vehicle experience BMW iDrive included as standard in the new BMW 7 Series allows drivers to enjoy intuitive, multimodal control of the vehicle, navigation, infortainment and communication functions, and also the digital services. It is based on the latest-generation BMW Operating System 8 softwear, and geared dynamically towards interaction using touch and voice controls.Besides the BMW Curved Display and BMW Interaction Bar, the latest-generation BMW Head-Up Display, also fited as standard, and the optional Augmented View feature, now shown in the information display behind the steering wheel for the first time, also provide exactly the right information and optimum guidance in all driving situations. 

The new My Modes create an all-encompassing interplay of vehicle functions, displays and interior ambience. Expressive and Relax modes can be sampled for the first time in the new BMW 7 Series, along with the optional Theatre Mode and the Digital Art Mode. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant comes with additional skills and can take on the appearance of around 20 different icons in the new BMW 7 Series. The BMW Maps navigation system offers BMW i7 drivers improved functionality when it comes to charging-optimised route planning. 

The Touch Command control units in the doors now also allow rear-seat passengers to make phone calls using the car's audio system. The Personal eSIM integrates the new BMW 7 Series fully into the customer's digital ecosystem. The new BMW Digital Key Plus, which works using the secutiry-enhanced ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology, turns an Applie Fine into a full-function vehicle key. 

Remembering the past, looking to the future.

As was the case with all its predecessors, the new BMW 7 Series will be built at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. The company’s largest production facility in Europe fuses tradition with the future and is also the BMW Group’s centre of excellence for the production of e-drive components. The highly integrated electric drive system and the high-voltage battery of the BMW i7 will also be manufactured there. Vehicles with combustion engines, plug-in hybrid systems and all-electric drive systems will come off the same production line in Dingolfing. In addition to the all-electric BMW iX and the new BMW 7 Series, the BMW 8 Series luxury sports car and BMW 5 Series models, among others, are also produced here.