BMW unveiled a refreshed 7 Series sedan on April 22 at the Beijing Auto Show, describing the update as the most extensive model revision the company has ever carried out on the vehicle.
The new 7 Series, now in its seventh generation, is the first luxury sedan to incorporate technologies from BMW's Neue Klasse platform, the company said. Production is set to begin in July 2026, with a worldwide market launch to follow at the same time.
The exterior receives a new kidney grille with Iconic Glow illumination and crystal headlights, while Inside, a new Panoramic iDrive system anchors a dashboard that has been fully reworked, with a display stretching across the lower portion of the windshield. A Passenger Screen for front-seat occupants makes its debut on this model, and an upgraded Theatre Screen for rear passengers supports 8K streaming, gaming, and video calls, according to BMW.
On the powertrain side, the lineup includes petrol engines with 48V mild hybrid technology, plug-in hybrid variants, and fully electric models. The electric versions use cylindrical cells from BMW's sixth-generation eDrive system, giving them a range of over 720 kilometers (447 miles) under WLTP testing — a figure BMW said represents a significant improvement over the outgoing model. Three M Performance variants are also part of the range.
Driver assistance features include a Motorway Assistant capable of hands-off driving at speeds up to 130 km/h (81 mph) in several European countries, and a City Assistant that supports navigation-guided urban journeys. BMW said the system uses artificial intelligence to assist with parking detection and manoeuvre planning.
The chassis carries standard adaptive two-axle air suspension with four electronically controlled shock absorbers. Factory-fitted 22-inch wheels are available for the first time as an alternative to the standard 20-inch items.
A armored Protection variant based on the new model is in development, BMW said, with VR9 certification and an optional VPAM 10 classification representing the highest available protection level.
All variants will be produced at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in Bavaria.
BMW has built the 7 Series since 1977, and CarBuzz notes that vehicles from elsewhere in BMW's own range — particularly SUVs — are encroaching on the segment the flagship sedan has long occupied. Hundreds of debuts from manufacturers across the industry were anticipated at the Beijing Auto Show, where the car first appeared publicly.
