Following a series of leaks, the 2019 BMW 7 Series has made its world debut at an event in Shanghai. Here’s how it differs from the original sixth generation model.
The 2019 BMW 7 Series looks sportier yet more elegant. The new super-slender headlights feature BMW Laserlight high-beam with a range of 560 metres. In contrast, the BMW kidney grille has - in a love it or hate it fashion - has become significantly larger for giving the full-size luxury saloon a more dominance; the front-end is now 50 mm taller at its foremost point. As in most recent all-new BMWs, it is framed by a single-piece surround. The new design front bumper with large trim surfaces and chrome edging lends more sophisticated elegance.
BMW has introduced new 20-inch alloy wheels in multi-spoke and star-spoke design, and 21-inch alloy wheels in W-spoke design. The 19-inch M alloy wheels included in the M Sport package are now painted in Orbit grey. Like for the windscreen, the company is using a (thicker) 5.1 mm laminated glass for the side windows (and back glass) now. Two more changes in the profile are the newly designed front wings with new upright Air Breathers.
At the rear, the new rear lights are 35 mm slimmer and are connected via a new, full-width light strip below the chrome bar, which too, is slimmer. The exhaust tailpipe trim is now wider, giving more substance to the bumper.
The 2019 BMW 7 Series measures 5,120 mm (SWB)/5,260 mm (LWB) in length, 1,902 mm in width and 1,467 mm (SWB)/1,479 mm (LWB) in height. It is 22 mm longer than the old model in both versions. Inside, BMW has introduced a newly designed steering wheel with re-structured control panels for the driver assistance systems, and BMW Live Cockpit Professional. The latter, running on BMW Operating System 7.0, comprises a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch central display.
The repositioning of the wireless charging tray from under the centre console armrest to in front of the cupholders allows the driver to always have an eye on the phone while driving now. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant that responds to “Hey BMW” has made it to the flagship BMW saloon. Rear-seat occupants can look forward to easier control of the rear-seat entertainment system. The two 10-inch screens now have touchscreen functionality.
Moving to the engine line-up, the biggest revision is the introduction of a new 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol unit that produces 530 PS and 750 Nm of torque, 80 PS and 100 Nm more than the engine it replaces. It powers the BMW 750i xDrive and BMW 750Li xDrive.
BMW has introduced a new plug-in hybrid powertrain as well, for three new variants: BMW 745e, BMW 745Le and BMW 745Le xDrive. The new powertrain combines a bigger, 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine (286 PS/450 Nm) and electric motor (113 PS/265 Nm). The electric motor is torquier now, delivering 15 Nm more than in the outgoing plug-in hybrid variants, namely BMW 740e iPerformance, BMW 740Le iPerformance and BMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance.
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The new plug-in hybrid powertrain dishes out 394 PS and 600 Nm of torque. That’s a notable improvement compared to the discontinued powertrain’s combined power and combined torque rating of 326 PS and 500 Nm respectively. The battery capacity, too, has increased, from 9.2 kWh to 12 kWh. The old, 351-volt battery took 2.7 hours for a full charge using a 3.7 kW charger, while the new, 355-volt battery takes 4.4 hours for the same.
The pure electric range (EU test cycle) of the BMW 740e iPerformance and BMW 740Le iPerformance was 44-48 km, and the same rating of the BMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance was 41-45 km. In comparison, the pure electric range (new WLTP test cycle) of the BMW 745e, BMW 745Le and BMW 745Le xDrive varies between 54-58 km, 52-55 km and 50-54 km respectively. Unlike the old variants, the new variants are available with the 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission for quicker gear changes.
The facelifted BMW 7 Series will hit the first markets this spring and is expected in India later this year.
