2019 BMW 7 Series: prices, specification and on-sale date

The BMW 7 Series is the latest version of BMW’s largest and most luxurious saloon. It's offered in two wheelbase lengths and with a range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

Unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the BMW 7 Series 745e plug-in hybrid will be the cleanest version. Compared with its predecessor, it has a 30% greater all-electric range thanks to a new battery pack, which also improves fuel-efficiency to 134.5mpg and reduces CO2 emissions to between 48 and 52g/km. Its electric-only driving range is up to 36 miles.

A 745Le xDrive long-wheelbase version with four-wheel drive will also be offered, although it's not yet know if it will make it to the UK. Both versions of 745e feature a six-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor for a combined total of 389bhp.

The new BMW 7 Series replaces the outgoing model as the German manufacturer’s flagship and is a direct rival for the Audi A8, Mercedes S-Class and Lexus LS. The new car is 22mm longer than the previous model, but its width and height remain the same.

Exact UK prices and specifications are yet be released, but the new 7 Series range is likely to start somewhere in the region of £65,000. Customers should start taking delivery of their cars before the summer.

2019 BMW 7 Series design

The most obvious change to the design of the BMW 7 Series is its new grille, a reworking of the German manufacturer’s ‘kidney’ grille that’s 40% bigger than before. Standard adaptive LED or optional laser headlights feature at the front, with new LED tail lights at the rear. Other new details include a large chrome-coloured side strake on each side of the car, restyled bumpers front and rear, plus a number of alloy wheel designs.

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Inside, the changes are less radical; the 7 Series remains as luxurious as ever but takes further steps forward to match the latest interior designs and technology levels of the new BMW 3 Series and 8 Series. Luxurious materials feature heavily, covering large swathes of the interior; buyers can choose from such luxurious options as oak or poplar wood trim, and quilted Nappa leather.

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The BMW 7 Series’ interior has been made as quiet as possible through noise-dampening work to the car’s wheel arches, B-pillars, windows and even its seatbelt outlet covers. Optional ambient lighting offers an extra touch of luxury.

The latest iteration of BMW’s infotainment features the BMW Operating System 7.0. The system works across a driver’s screen behind the steering wheel, a central display screen and, optionally, a pair of 10-inch HD displays and a 7.0-inch removable tablet that can be used to control various functions, including the seats, interior lighting and climate control.

Engines and gearbox

The new 7 Series is offered with a range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid drivetrains from launch, though it’s not yet confirmed whether some or all of these will make it to the UK.

An all-new 523bhp 4.4-litre petrol engine is offered in the 750i, along with a plug-in hybrid 740e powered by a straight-six petrol engine and an electric motor with a combined output of 389bhp (when in Sport mode). Claimed economy of between 108.6 and 134.5mpg should be taken with a pinch of salt; such figures will only be attainable with a fully charged battery. BMW claims an all-electric range of between 30 and 36 miles.

The range-topping M760Li model boasts a ferocious 6.6-litre V12 with 577bhp; performance figures are yet to be released, but the car is likely to be one of the fastest cars in a straight line in the BMW range. Claimed fuel economy of around 22mpg is the trade-off.

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Three diesel engines are also offered, all based on the same 3.0-litre straight-six engine. The 750d is the most powerful of these with its four turbochargers and 395bhp; next is the 740d with 316bhp, with the lowest-powered 730d offering 261bhp. The latter looks set to be the most frugal model in the range, with claimed fuel economy of around 51mpg.

All models are offered with xDrive four-wheel drive (optional on the 745e in long-wheelbase form) and all come as standard with the latest BMW eight-speed automatic gearbox. Each model is available in short or long-wheelbase format.

BMW 7 Series specification

The 7 Series comes with a huge array of standard equipment, including leather upholstery in a choice of five colours, a choice of rear-seat configurations and BMW’s latest infotainment system with Apple CarPlay connectivity, DAB radio and sat nav. A number of comfort-orientated packages can be selected to further bolster the car’s luxurious interior.

A range of standard and optional safety and driver assistance systems are offered, including adaptive cruise control with a stop and go function, a head-up display, collision and pedestrian warning systems with city braking, along with lane departure warning and lane-change systems. The standard Driving Assistant pack brings speed-limit information, rear collision prevention and cross-traffic alert systems.

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