BMW 7 Series and Continental Updates: Design, Powertrains, and Luxury tech

What’s new?

Seven has integrated several fresh elements into its brand, bringing together features that were once shown separately.

• Double-decker headlights debuted on the redesigned X7 crossover, a week before the flagship presentation.
• Recessed exterior door handles were first used on the iX electric SUV.
• The license plate sits well below the light cluster, a layout seen before on the Gran Coupé and coupe crossovers, but not on the classic sedan.

A new design approach for executive sedans emerged with the Mercedes S-Class W222. The car was initially developed in a long-wheelbase form and later shortened, influencing subsequent generations.

The BMW 7 Series G70 is primarily offered in a stretched configuration. Its dimensions measure 5391 × 1950 × 1544 mm with a wheelbase of 3215 mm, only slightly longer than the extended version of the previous generation. The trailing “L” designation, once common for such models, was removed from the lineup; it remains in use mainly in the Chinese market where it is familiar on other series.

• All side doors are electric, and the design of the side windows aims for an exceptionally clean look with hidden seals and a minimized door frame around the triangular rear window. The Hofmeister kink continues to evolve as new generations arrive.
• Running lights, side dimensions, and turn signals are integrated in a two-part design, a nod to BMW’s long tradition. Optional upper sections can be adorned with Swarovski crystals for those who opt in.
• The main headlight assembly sits on the lower tier, with a basic package offering a rotating low beam and an automatic high beam while the rings themselves remain discreet.
• Additional sound-damping features come with larger wheels at extra cost, reducing cabin noise. The tire pressure monitoring system leverages advanced algorithms and cloud services, delivering early tire-tread alerts via a mobile app. Artificial intelligence can anticipate tread wear before signals from conventional systems.

The V12 engine faced environmental pressure and was discontinued, a decision that drew mixed reactions. The current lineup tops out with a V8 engine option, available to U.S. buyers on the BMW 760i. While it does not outpace the prior 750i in outright power, the badge simply reflects a design evolution rather than a dramatic performance leap.

The i7 electric offers two motors: 258 hp at the front and 313 hp at the rear. A 101.7 kWh battery lives under the floor in the base configuration, delivering up to 625 km of range on the WLTP cycle.

Acceleration to 100 km/h comes in 4.7 seconds. The electric model carries a substantial weight of about 2715 kg. In contrast, the 760e hybrid is lighter by roughly 190 kg, with stronger torque and a 4.3-second sprint. BMW’s electric sedans feature motors around 200 hp and efficiency in the eco-friendly range of travel. For the quickest seven, the U.S. market offers the BMW 760i at about 2270 kg and 4.2 seconds to 100. Future M performance versions and high-end i7 variants are expected to push limits further.

The dashboard employs a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central display. In BMW’s tradition, the expansive screen tilts toward the driver, and the system includes a built-in YouTube experience. The design minimizes physical controls, with crystal inserts on panels and doors for a refined glow.

Crystal motifs recur in the cabin, housing seat controls and the iDrive controller. Voice and gesture control supplement traditional inputs. Recycled materials appear throughout the interior, with cashmere used in upholstery options.

Door panels feature integrated controls for seat settings and rear climate management, with 5.5-inch screens embedded in the doors. The rear seat is built as a single unit with the back cushion, and heated door armrests and four-zone climate control maintain comfort throughout the cabin. A panoramic roof with LEDs creates a diamond-like lighting effect that adds to the ambience.

Technic

The seventh series is based on the rear-wheel-drive CLAR platform. Originally designed for internal combustion models, it has been adapted for electrified versions as well. The current range retains traditional petrol and diesel engines with a starter generator that adds small boosts under acceleration. Hybrid configurations and clean electric variants complete the lineup.

In terms of chassis, all models share a similar layout: a front axle with two control arms and a rear axle with five control arms, plus an adaptive air suspension that automatically adjusts ground clearance with speed. The electric variants achieve a drag coefficient of 0.24, while combustion versions measure around 0.26. The rear electric motor contributes to a trunk volume of about 500 liters, a slight reduction compared with non-electric versions.

VERSIONS AND PARAMETERS

• 735i P6, 300 hp, 425 Nm
• 740i P6, 380 hp, 540 Nm
• 760i xDrive V8, 544 hp, 750 Nm
• 740d xDrive P6, 299 hp, 670 Nm
• 750th xDrive P6 + electric, 490 hp, 700 Nm
• M760e xDrive P6 + electric, 571 hp, 800 Nm
• i7 xDrive60 2 electric, 544 hp, 745 Nm

SHE WAS THE FIRST

Audi A8

1994 – large-scale aluminum chassis; 2013 – matrix LED headlights; 2017 – integrated massager

The highlight feature across the seventh generation is a ceiling-mounted cinema screen for rear passengers. The 31.3-inch diagonal is unmatched by most manufacturers. In cinema mode, the rear cabin dims automatically. A premium audio experience up to 36 speakers is available, or wireless headphones for personal listening.

BMW 7 Series

1991 – Xenon headlights; 2001 – iDrive with centralized control; 2015 – gesture control

Mercedes S-class

1991 – electric interior mirror; 1999 – radar cruise control; 2013 – base model without a traditional bulb