PressClub South Africa · Article.
The new BMW 7 Series.
Wed Apr 22 15:00:00 CEST 2026 Press Kit
In the new BMW 7 Series, progressive luxury and the pioneering technologies of the Neue Klasse come together to create a unique driving experience.
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Hailey Philander
BMW Group
Tel: +27-71-666-2070
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Author.
Liane Drews
BMW Group
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The BMW Group is making a powerful statement with the new BMW 7 Series Sedan. Embodying Sheer Driving Pleasure at its most exclusive, the 7 Series reinforces its leading position in the luxury segment to compelling effect.
The new BMW 7 Series – the first luxury sedan with
technologies from the Neue Klasse.
Developed with
passion and designed to perfection, the BMW 7 Series Sedan has
established itself as an innovation leader and technological pioneer
around the world since it first took to the stage in 1977. Each
generation has brought fresh impetus to its era – from groundbreaking
safety functions and revolutionary operating concepts to digital
worlds that set new standards. This forward-looking approach has been
a hallmark characteristic of the BMW 7 Series Sedan for 49 years now.
The new BMW 7 Series represents the most extensive model update ever carried out by the BMW Group. The new BMW 7 Series – now entering its seventh generation – marks a big leap forward once again. As the flagship model series of the BMW product range and a brand figurehead, the new BMW 7 Series Sedan takes the lead when it comes to the introduction of technologies from the Neue Klasse into existing models. This step also marks the beginning of a technology rollout – spanning drive system variants and market segments – from which all future BMW cars will benefit.
Premiere for the new BMW luxury-class
design.
The new BMW 7 Series embodies the specific
interpretation of the new BMW design language for the luxury segment.
A monolithic exterior, the new BMW kidney Iconic Glow and minimalist
crystal headlights give the car a visually impactful presence and make
it easily recognisable. The side view impresses with reduced surfaces,
a character line and classy details, while the rear end is shaped by
newly designed lights and clear forms. One BMW M Performance model
provides sporting differentiation to striking effect, with the M Sport
package and M Sport package Pro bringing further emphasis. BMW
Individual offers a broad spread of personalisation options, including
BMW Individual Dual-Finish paintwork – a world first marked by
technological sophistication and expert craftsmanship. Completing the
picture are a carefully curated selection of ex-factory wheels, from
21-inch rims (including run-flat technology on the standard offer in
South Africa) to the new addition of 22-inch items.
Exclusive interior experience: feel-good ambience with
luxurious materials, modern design and innovative technologies.
The interior of the new BMW 7 Series Sedan captures the
imagination with a successful combination of luxurious materials,
modern design and advanced technology. The clean design language,
high-quality surfaces in materials such as leather, cloth, wood,
crystal glass and metal, and innovative details create an exclusive
yet also cosy atmosphere. The highlights, which are standard issue for
vehicles built for the South African market, are the new BMW Panoramic
iDrive with BMW Passenger Screen (making its debut), the upgraded BMW
Theatre Screen enabling cinematic experiences or working-on-the-move
for rear-seat passengers, an immersive light concept with ambient
light strip and new light elements, plus a Bowers & Wilkins sound
system and Dolby Atmos support for an exceptional audio experience.
Ergonomically designed seats (including comfort seats and the
Executive Lounge), new steering wheels, updated automatic doors, a
digital interior mirror
[1], and features
such as a panoramic glass roof with Sky Lounge, four-zone automatic
climate control and the Travel & Comfort System round off the
luxurious, individual overall experience.
BMW Panoramic iDrive and new BMW Passenger Screen open up new
dimensions in entertainment and information.
The new BMW 7 Series combines the virtues of a luxury-class
sedan with innovative BMW Neue Klasse technology and offers a
far-reaching, digital user experience that focuses on both the driver
and passengers. Among the highlights are BMW Panoramic iDrive with BMW
Operating System X and optimum driver orientation, intelligent voice
control with extended BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, and a powerful software
and electronics architecture delivering future-proof functionality.
New features such as improved navigation with BMW Maps, user-friendly smartphone integration, digital M content from BMW Digital Premium, the BMW Digital Key Plus, plus numerous optional BMW ConnectedDrive Upgrades and regular over‑the‑air software updates endow the BMW 7 Series Sedan with exceptional flexibility and keep it up to date.
The standard-specification BMW Passenger Screen and BMW Theatre Screen for 8K streaming, gaming and video calls provide top‑class entertainment for passengers and are augmented by popular third-party apps. The extensive entertainment offering is also available on the Central Display when the vehicle is stationary.
Proven commitment to technology openness: efficient combustion
engines, plug-in hybrids and fully electric variants now offering
over 600 kilometres of electric range (WLTP) thanks to technology
including cylindrical cells from sixth-generation BMW eDrive.
The new BMW 7 Series Sedan impresses once again with the wide
variety of drive systems available to customers. As well as efficient
combustion engines with 48V mild hybrid technology and a powerful
plug-in hybrid, this line-up also includes an advanced fully electric
variant. The use of innovative cylindrical cells – part of
sixth-generation BMW eDrive – gives the fully electric model a battery
range that now extends to over 600 kilometres (WLTP). In addition,
drivers benefit from user-friendly and intelligent charging solutions,
route planning optimised for charging, adaptive recuperation and
integration into the energy market for cost-optimised charging.
Completing the line-up are the BMW 740, BMW 740d xDrive, BMW M760e
xDrive plug-in hybrid variant and the BMW i7 50 xDrive, demonstrating
the strong commitment of the new BMW 7 Series to Sheer Driving Pleasure.
Advanced assistance systems with BMW Symbiotic Drive and use
of AI to maximise comfort and safety in partially automated driving
and parking manoeuvres.
The new BMW 7 Series Sedan
employs advanced technologies and increases the use of artificial
intelligence (AI) to set new standards of comfort and safety in
partially automated driving and parking manoeuvres. Innovative driver
assistance systems and active safety functions provide noticeable
added value, while BMW Symbiotic Drive optimises the interplay between
the driver and their car. The new driver assistance visualisation
function in BMW Maps gives the driver a better overview of the
situation when using the navigation system. The range of active safety
functions specified as standard has been broadened compared to that of
the predecessor model, while the standard-fit Park Assist
Professional, and AI-supported parking space detection and manoeuvre
planning make parking extremely intuitive and comfortable.
Driving pleasure meets the pleasure of being driven: unique
combination of driving dynamics and comfort.
As
before, the new BMW 7 Series Sedan blends compelling driving dynamics
with the comfort levels of a luxury chauffeur-driven sedan and so
meets the diverse needs of different customer groups around the world
– from drivers looking for sporting responses from their car to
passengers prioritising comfort. Innovative chassis technology,
including standard adaptive 2‑axle air suspension featuring four
electronically controlled shock absorbers, allows the BMW 7 Series to
offer standout driving characteristics and safety. Twenty two-inch
wheels are now available from the factory for the first time as an
alternative to the 21-inch items fitted as standard. The Adaptive
Chassis Control with Integral Active Steering (standard on the BMW
M760e xDrive) and the optional Adaptive Chassis Control Professional
with Integral Active Steering and roll stabilisation raise the bar
once again in terms of comfort and agility. Specific chassis upgrades
brought by the M Sport package turn the dynamic dial up another notch,
while cutting-edge functions such as digital tyre conditioning
monitoring with AI, the integrated braking system and near-actuator
wheel slip limitation ensure top-drawer handling and safety.
Focus on sustainability: resource-efficient development and
production, innovative CO₂ reduction measures and TÜV-certified
transparency throughout the car’s life cycle.
With the
new BMW 7 Series, the BMW Group is extending its sustainability
strategy across all drive-system variants. The focus here is on
resource-efficient product development, innovative technologies and
measures applied throughout the car’s life cycle – from the supply
chain to production and the use phase. In the case of the BMW i7, in
particular, CO₂e emissions have been significantly reduced with the
help of secondary materials, renewable energies and optimised
manufacturing processes, e.g. through the use of Gen6 battery cells
and aluminium wheel rims with a high recycled material content. The
company’s ambitious climate goals, including reducing CO₂e emissions
by 60 million tons by 2035, are part of a 360° sustainability
approach. Transparency is guaranteed by TÜV-certified carbon footprint
verification. Production uses electricity and heat generated from
renewable sources, supported by photovoltaic systems and a biomass
heating plant.
Production at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing.
All
model and drive-system variants of the new BMW 7 Series Sedan will be
built on a single production line at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. The
tradition-rich location in Lower Bavaria combines the customary BMW
passion for flawless engineering with skilled craftsmanship like no
other. By beginning the rollout of Neue Klasse technologies, BMW Group
Plant Dingolfing is once again assuming the role of lead plant for the
new BMW luxury-class models.
The new BMW 7 Series Sedan celebrates its world premiere on 22 April 2026. The start of production and worldwide market launch will follow just a few months later, from July 2026. The expected market launch in South Africa is the fourth quarter of 2026.
Article Offline Attachments.
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The new BMW 7 Series - Long version. PDF, EN, 10.53 MB
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The new BMW 7 Series - Highlights. PDF, EN, 2.27 MB
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The new BMW 7 Series - Specifications. PDF, EN, 1.38 MB