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By Giancarlo Perini © – Photo: Archivio Perini © for Editorial Use Only.

The radically new BMW 7 series will make its first official appearance for the large public at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris early in October but many insiders and clients are already looking at the car, for some good reason and now the Bavarian company has released it official images and information on its ultimate flagship: the fifth generation BMW 7 Series.

Let’s say from the outset that the style of the car no longer needs to set a new trend (although it is a very charismatic trend setter) but can take great advantage of the leap change made by its successful predecessor. Indeed, despite the brutal reaction from the conservative German press and some aficionados, back in 2001, the latest 7 series set a new trend that has inspired many carmakers and designs. Also important: it has set new sales record with more than 320.000 units delivered around the world.
I am very confident that this time around the German press will be enthusiastic. They ought to be.

The new flagship from Munich is certainly going to confirm both its trend setting design and commercial success despite the stiffer competition. When the fourth generation 7 series was conceived BMW had only one strong competitor to benchmark head one. For the fifth generation the competition (and the customer expectations) have got a lot more challenging. Not only Audi is conquering new territories in the German Flagship market and around the world, but too Lexus is expanding world-wide and Bentley want the share they quite rightly deserve. Everybody keeps rising the bar to the benefit of the breed.

Looking at the new 7 Series range and at the “à la carte” menu offered by BMW, one has to concede that the new 7 comes with a very sophisticated composition and a refined variety of tastes and flavours.

As for its design, inside and out we let speak the images. This time they tell a lot of the story and I think that is a very nice story. Yet, when you see the car on the road it looks even better.

Let’s just take note that the fast silhouette is not a visual trick but the result of a new architecture, in line with the new technical layout. Overall dimensions have changed a lot and thus the style and surfaces meet the eye with very dynamic proportions, modern and athletic look, matched with innate elegance and more than a touch of luxury. The sharp relief marking the side works magic and (with the new concave hood and tail) set this car apart from the crowd.

The new 7 series sits on a longer wheelbase (as much as 80 mm.) but it is only 43 longer. Also it is a good 13 mm. lower whereas the width is virtually unchanged. This translates into a longer and lower car with a bigger passenger compartment and plenty of luggage room. But also in a reduce frontal area, less wind resistance and greater efficiency. What is unchanged is the additional length of 140 mm. engineered for the L (Long) versions.

The front design looks (and indeed it is) a bit unusual but I am ready to bet that people will simply love its “coupé like character”.

BMW is consistently applying its trend setting Efficient Dynamic strategy also in its flagship, with a lighter body structure, new – gasoline and diesel – engines and “optimised” aerodynamics. To put a figure substantiating the world BMW says that its new 730d has an average fuel consumption of 7.2 litres/100 kilometres (39.2 mpg imp) in the EU test cycle, making it the most economical car in its class.

At launch time BMW will be offering three alternative engine options with the V8 BMW 750i, and the L6 BMW 740i, and BMW 730d, delivering respectively 300, 240 and 180 kW of power. Both the top two gasoline engine come with Twin Turbo and high precision fuel injection technology.

Uwe Greiger, 7 series product manager and a member of the Central Marketing said the car will go on sale in all Europe on November 15^th, UK and Eastern European countries included at prices that, on average will only go up some 1.4% in comparison with equivalent “specifications adjusted” model. China will get the first 7 series in January 2009 and one month later exports will go to Japan and the U.S.A. as well.

In Germany the price range for the standard specification models start at € 69.500 for the 730d.

Other prices are as follow:

740i € 75.500,00

740 LI € 82.000.00

750i € 90.000,00

750Li € 94.000,00

Complete Photo Gallery

End of this report by Giancarlo Perini©. List of top features follows:

Now let us review the main features BMW has integrated into the project for the new 7 series, as illustrated by BMW.

· Design of the new BMW 7 Series standing for natural presence, superior sportiness and precise elegance. The features of the car are authentically visualised through its modern, progressive look, with a brand-new range of engines ensuring BMW Efficient Dynamics of the highest standard.

· Lightweight engineering and innovative suspension technology ensure dynamic driving qualities quite unique in the luxury class.

· Driver assistance systems and comfort functions exclusive to BMW set the foundation for a truly fascinating driving experience.

· Low and stretched side view, sculptured surfaces, BMW kidney grille standing for modern style. Large, upright and low-slung BMW kidney grille with horizontally accentuated lines at the rear stressing the power and width of the car-

· Pure luxury interior design, with clearly structured arrangement of driving and comfort functions.

· Exclusive, sophisticated and inviting ambience Softly swinging shapes, high-quality materials combined with space and comfort give the interior its harmonious impression of luxury and well being.

· The driver-oriented cockpit introduced innovative Black Panel technology in its wide display.

· A better location for the electronic selector lever on the automatic transmission

· Now on the centre console in the immediate vicinity of the Dynamic Driving Control unit and BMW iDrive control.

· New generation of BMW’s trendsetting iDrive control system: 10.2-inch display, high-resolution graphic presentation, optimised menu structure, new iDrive Controller

· Function-optimised navigation systems, audio system with hard disc memory. World debut of BMW ConnectedDrive offering unrestricted access to the internet through the car’s display as an option.

· All-round lightweight concept as an additional contribution to BMW EfficientDynamics: Use of multi-phase steel and heat-formed steel profiles in the body structures. Roof, doors, front lid and side panels made of aluminium, aluminium pressure-cast spring supports at the front, final drive with aluminium housing, all power units with aluminium crankcase.

· All-new suspension optimising both driving dynamics and, in particular, motoring comfort: First BMW Saloon with double-arm front axle, integral V rear axle exclusive to BMW, front and rear axles made largely of aluminium.

· Air suspension at the rear standard on the BMW 750Li and BMW 740Li. Hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering with on-demand steering assistance pump.

· World debut: Integral Active Steering as a symbiosis of Active Steering on the front axle and speed-related rear wheel steering as an option.

· Innovative Dynamic Damping Control including Dynamic Driving Control featured as standard.

· Unique combination of innovative driver assistance systems in the luxury class (optional): Cruise control with Stop & Go, Lane Departure Warning including speed limit indicator, Lane Change Warning, Head-Up Display, High-Beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision for the first time with detection of individual persons, Side View, back-up camera.

· Adaptive Headlights with variable light distribution and Bending Lights as an option. Enhanced automatic emergency call function on BMW ConnectedDrive as a further option.

· Wide range of comfort functions and innovative entertainment options: audio system with hard disc memory, AUX-in sleeve featured as standard. USB port, multi-channel audio system.

Click on the image to see the complete Photo Gallery.