New BMW 7-Series Revealed

After a great deal of expectation, BMW has finally released the first official photos of the new 7-Series. The car's arrival has been eagerly awaited because everybody wanted to see how the Bangle design features would evolve into the fifth generation 7. And as you can see, the lines have been softened considerably, creating a more conservative exterior in comparison to when its predecessor was launched on an unprepared public.

The car claims to have the world's first night vision system with individual pedestrian recognition, the first production car with front side-view camera, the first BMW sedan with speed-related integral active steering and the first with lane change warning. It also has the ability to read road speed signs and warn a driver of a changing limit. This 7-Series will additionally feature EfficientDynamics for class-leading CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

The launch of the fifth generation BMW 7-Series sets a new benchmark in automotive luxury, technical innovation and class-leading driving dynamics, combined with emissions reducing and fuel saving technology, according to BMW's press release. The flagship model range will debut later in the year with a host of world firsts and will initially be offered with a choice of three powerplants in europe, one diesel and two gasoline engines. There will also be a long-wheelbase body, too. All three engines produce more power yet use less fuel and produce lower emissions than the models they replace.

While a diesel-powered 7-Series has never before come to America, the current fuel crisis could lead to a rethink. Especially since the new BMW 730d sets a benchmark in terms of drivetrain performance. The new all-aluminum 3.0 liter straight-six diesel produces 245hp at 4000rpm. The 2993cc powerplant posts the lowest ever CO2 figure of any previous BMW 7-Series and it is also the most economical 7-Series ever. Its 192g/km emission figure is class-leading for conventionally powered luxury cars, while no other competitor comes close to its 39.2mpg combined consumption figure. Yet it can accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.2sec and has a 153mph top speed.

To put the 730d's competitive advantage into context, it records near identical consumption and CO2 emissions to the Mercedes C320CDi - a car that's two market segments below the 7-Series, and is both smaller and lighter than the BMW.

The impressive performance of the 730d is, in part, due to third-generation common-rail direct injection technology, incorporating piezo injectors, that operates at a peak pressure of 1800 bar. This system ensures a near perfect combustion process.

The BMW 750i and 750Li are the range flagships. The new 4395cc V8 engine from the recently launched X6, featuring twin-turbochargers and high-precision direct injection technology, produces 407hp from 5500rpm to 6400rpm. Such performance sees the 750i accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.2sec (5.3sec for the 750Li) before going on to an electronically-limited 155mph.

Consumption on the combined cycle is 24.8mpg, while CO2 emissions equate to 266g/km.The all-aluminum V8 engine features twin-turbochargers and catalysts that are placed within the vee of the engine block. This not only optimizes packaging, but the reduction in manifold length mean the engine breathes better for enhanced performance. Double-VANOS variable valve technology and high-precision direct injection further aid engine performance.

The BMW 740i and 740Li are also offered. Using a 2979cc powerplant, it musters 326hp for rapid performance. The twin-turbocharged engine from the 135i, 335i and 535i features high-precision direct injection and Double-VANOS variable valve technology to achieve optimum performance. The car accelerates from 0-62mph in 5.9sec (6.0sec for the 740Li) before going on to 155mph.

The BMW 740i and 740Li post combined fuel consumption figures of 28.5mpg and 28.2mpg respectively, while returning emissions figures of 232g/km and 235g/km.

All BMW 7-Series models come with a six-speed automatic transmission as standard. The launch of the 7-Series means the entire BMW range now comes equipped with EfficientDynamics technologies as standard. With its roof, doors, hood and side panels made from aluminum to dovetail with the principle of lightweight engineering, the 7-Series also has other innovative class-leading technology. Brake Energy Regeneration, not currently offered in the US, 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 channeled toward the car's performance. Other ancillaries, such as the air-conditioning compressor, are also able to disengage to improve the performance of the car.