BMW’s flagship sedan, the 7 Sequence, has been given an ultraluxury redesign, together with a full-electric model.

The 7 Sequence lineup features a extra highly effective V-8 engine, a loungelike inside, and superior driver-assistance know-how.

“The brand new 7 Sequence sounds the beginning sign for our new technology of highly-efficient combustion engines,” BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse stated at a press occasion in New York.

The all-electric model, known as the i7, provides BMW a high-end competitor to its new luxurious rival Tesla.

The i7 xDrive60 is powered by twin motors that ship a mixed 536 horsepower. The i7 has a spread of 590 to 625 km (367 to 388 miles) underneath Europe’s WLTP testing commonplace and 500 km (310 miles) underneath the EPA commonplace within the U.S.

All drivetrains of the brand new 7 Sequence are primarily based on a single structure, the most recent evolution of BMW’s rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive CLAR platform, and have the same physique type.

The 7 Sequence might be rolled out in world markets beginning November. In Europe, solely the i7 might be accessible, with the 7 Sequence gasoline and diesel variations arriving later. The U.S. and China will get the i7 and seven Sequence on the identical time.

The i7 will begin at $119,300 within the U.S. and 135,900 euros in Europe.

Zipse predicted that demand for the ICE mannequin can be larger within the U.S., the place there’s much less stringent regulation of carbon emissions than in Europe. “The markets in China, Europe and Americas developed fairly in another way,” Zipse stated.

“In Europe you’ve a rising electrical car marketplace for all manufacturers. Within the U.S. you’ve one model that’s tremendous profitable. It is fully totally different,” he stated. “The method we’re taking to place flexibility first works a lot better.”

Spreading the associated fee

Spreading the event prices throughout inside combustion, hybrid, and electrical variants makes the i7 probably extra worthwhile for BMW than constructing it on a devoted EV platform, stated Sam Fiorani, vice chairman at AutoForecast Options.

“Sharing a lot with the 7 Sequence additionally makes the transition to the i7 simpler for returning patrons who are usually older and fewer more likely to recognize radical modifications of their autos,” Fiorani stated.

The seventh-generation 7 Sequence has grown in size, width and top. The wheelbase is longer, creating roomier rear seating. In contrast to its predecessors, the brand new 7 Sequence might be accessible worldwide solely as a long-wheelbase mannequin that maximises area within the rear, BMW stated.

The entrance of the brand new mannequin is dominated by the non-obligatory illuminated BMW kidney grille.

Inside a free-standing curved show anchors the dashboard. It combines a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch heart management show to kind a single unit angled towards the motive force.

The 7 Sequence has an in-dash lighting and management system. The BMW Interplay Bar, a backlit crystalline floor, extends throughout the width of the instrument panel and into the door panel trim. It homes touch-sensitive management panels to regulate air flow and local weather management, activate the hazard warning lights, and open the glove compartment. The interplay bar can use mild animations to alert the motive force to incoming cellphone calls.

Whereas rear-seat passengers may not get the fun of steering the so-called Final Driving Machine, they get a lounge-like expertise.

The Government Lounge possibility features a reclining perform with built-in leg relaxation. The rear seat reclines as much as 42.5 levels, which, BMW stated, “units the benchmark within the section.”

The automaker stated that the leg relaxation design permits passengers to “good the relaxed resting place.” The calf help, which extends from the rear seat, is paired with a heel relaxation extending out from the again of the entrance passenger seat.

If “relaxed resting” is not your factor, the 7 Sequence options the “BMW Theater Display screen” — a 31-inch, 8K decision touchscreen show that strikes out of the headliner to offer rear passengers an immersive in-vehicle viewing expertise. When activated, the system, which options Amazon Hearth TV integration, is accompanied by an acoustic expertise created by movie composer and Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer.

The 7 Sequence and i7 have suite of sensors and cameras to ship superior driver help and good parking performance.

BMW stated that the Freeway Assistant, a part of the non-obligatory Driving Help Skilled Package deal, permits the motive force to take their fingers off the steering wheel when driving on highways at speeds as much as 130 kph (80 mph).

Freeway Assistant “allows you to sit again and chill out, get pleasure from your trip,” BMW Group gross sales boss Pieter Nota stated.

The 7 Sequence and i7 might be geared up with Degree 3 autonomous driving capabilities, however the carmaker is awaiting permissions from regulators to allow the function – more likely to take round 1-1/2 years in Europe, a BMW spokesperson stated.

With the brand new fashions, BMW’s signature twin round headlights are re-interpreted as a two-piece break up headlight design. The slim strip of lights set excessive up within the entrance finish combine daytime driving lights, aspect marker lights, and switch indicators. The low-beam and high-beam headlights are positioned at nighttime decrease items set deep into the entrance apron.

The LED rear mild items prolong into the automotive’s flanks. Two slim strips beneath the principle tail lamps generate the brake lights and switch indicator lights.

Reuters contributed to this report