2013 BMW 7 Series Preview

Introduction

The 2013 BMW 7 Series is the German automaker's flagship sedan, available as the 740i, 740Li, 750i, 750Li, 760Li, and a long-wheelbase ActiveHybrid 7.

Exterior Features

For 2013, the BMW 7 Series receives subtle updates in the form of a restyled grille and lower front air intake, reshaped headlights, redesigned side mirrors with LED signal indicators, and taillights with darker lenses. The trunk can also now be opened without using your hands, and adaptive LED headlights are optional (standard on 760Li).

Interior Features

Interior upgrades for the 2013 BMW 7 Series include improved seats, revised ambient lighting, modified iDrive controller with updated display screens, enhanced mobile office features, and additional sound deadening for a quieter cabin. A new Attention Assistant system detects a drowsy driver and recommends a rest stop. Ivory White and Veneto Beige leather choices are new, and long-wheelbase models gain half an inch of rear headroom this year.

Optional Features

The 2013 BMW 7 Series can be optioned with a new Bang & Olufsen premium surround-sound audio system, as well as a rear-seat entertainment package that features new "floating" display screens and an iDrive controller. Individually adjustable rear comfort seats are optional on all except the 760Li, where they are standard.

Under the Hood

The 2013 740i and 740Li are equipped with a new, direct-injected and turbocharged, 3.0-liter, inline 6-cylinder engine generating 315 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque. BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system is newly optional on the 740Li model.

A twin-turbocharged, 4.4-liter V-8 engine is nestled under the hood of the 750i and 750Li models, gaining Valvetronic technology to bump power and fuel economy. This engine is rated to deliver 445 horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque.

The ActiveHybrid 7 pairs the turbocharged 6-cylinder from the 740i with an electric assist motor and a lithium-ion battery to deliver a combined 349 horsepower and 367 lb.-ft. of torque. This model can travel at speeds up to 37 mph, for as far as 2.5 miles, on battery power alone, BMW says.

All three of these models feature an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, automatic engine start/stop, regenerative braking, and ECO PRO technology with a new "coasting" mode. A new Driving Dynamics Control feature on 740/750 models allows the driver to choose between various Comfort, Sport, and Eco Pro driving modes.

The BMW 760Li is equipped with a turbocharged, 6.0-liter V-12 engine producing 535 horsepower and 550 lb.-ft. of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission delivers power exclusively to the rear wheels.

According to BMW, the new Dynamic Damper Control technology makes the 2013 7 Series "the world's first car to feature an electronically controlled damping system whose shock absorbers are adjusted individually at each wheel based on the condition of the road surface and the driving style." Additionally, Active Roll Stabilization is standard on the 760Li, and optional on other models.

Fuel Economy

As this preview was published, the EPA had not rated the 2013 7 Series for fuel economy. BMW estimates that the 740i/740iL will get 20-percent better mileage than before, while the 750i/750iL should improve by 25 percent. The new ActiveHybrid 7 is expected to deliver 14 percent more miles per gallon than the updated 740i.

Safety

For 2013, the BMW 7 Series features an enhanced Active Cruise Control system that brings the 7 Series to a complete stop in emergency situations, if necessary. The car's Active Protection suite now includes Attention Assistant technology, which monitors for a sleepy driver.