BMW begins new 7 Series countdown

BMW has commenced the official pre-release campaign for its redesigned flagship sedan, the G11-generation 7 Series, which it promises will be up to 130kg lighter than the model it replaces.

The new G11-series limousine will make its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September and will be wrapped in an evolutionary new body as seen in these latest spy shots – a prototype wearing an M aero package for the first time.

For now, this teaser video reveals a few of its ground-breaking new features, led by carbon-fibre reinforced plastic bodyshell construction technology borrowed from the i8 sports car.

BMW says the use of the material, which weighs up to 50 per cent less than comparable strength steel, in the new 7 Series' A-pillars and roof rails marks a first in the limousine segment.

BMW has also confirmed the new Seven will ride on air suspension with Dynamic Damper Control at both ends as standard, while an updated Integral Active Steering system is fitted along with the first electromechanically driven Dynamic Drive roll stabilisation system. BMW says that in Adaptive mode, the car's new Driving Experience Control system "adapts as required to the driving style and the character of the road".

Also claimed to be first-in-class is BMW Gesture Control, which Mercedes-Benz has previewed in its futuristic F105 Concept for key vehicle system functions, although BMW will finally join the rest of the automotive world by introducing a touch-screen controlled iDrive navigation system.

Other new technologies will include BMW Remote Control Parking, which allows owners to 'drive' their 7 Series into and out of parking space via the BMW Display Key, on which key information is displayed on an LCD screen.

Finally, for now, there's Executive Drive Pro, which BMW says maintains the range-topping Bavarian sedan's reputation as the best driver's car in its class while improving ride comfort.

As we've reported, the new Seven will be BMW's most important new model release in 2015, the year of its 100th anniversary.

It will go on sale in Germany in late October, after its Frankfurt world debut, and in Australia in early 2016.

Built at Dingolfing, the 2016 7 Series will take the fight up the dominant Mercedes-Benz S-Class and a redesigned Audi A8 due next year.

Riding on a redesigned platform dubbed '35up', the new Seven presents an evolutionary new body design with a more pronounced wedge shape, shorter boot, more sloping bonnet, 'faster' grille and more muscular shoulders.

It combines more aluminium, high-strength steel and carbon-fibre construction methods learned from the i3 and i8 electric cars to pare up to 200kg from the current model's kerb weight.

The substantial weight-loss program will allow BMW to power the 7 Series with a four-cylinder engine for the first time, with the base model's turbocharged petrol engine likely to generate at least 190kW. The same engine should be teamed with an electric motor to produce the first 'eDrive' 7 Series plug-in hybrid, offering about 220kW.

At the other end of the scale there's likely to be the first M-badged 7 Series, with the 2016 M750i expected to come with an upgraded version of the twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 seen in the current 5, 6 and 7 Series, as well as the X5 and X6, but this time generating up to 450kW.

Naturally, the next 7 Series will also come with a range of new diesel and petrol six-cylinder engines for the 2016 730d and 740i respectively, plus petrol V8 power for the new 750i and a hulking circa-450kW 6.6-litre V12 from Rolls-Royce for the new 760i luxury flagship. All of them will be direct-injected and turbocharged and matched with an eight-speed auto.

Of course short- and long-wheelbase options will again be available, but perhaps the biggest highlight of the new 7 Series will be its interior, which should come with the TouchCommand rear seat control system previewed by BMW at last month's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Basically a Samsung tablet featuring a special BMW app, it allows rear-seat passengers to control most of the car's functions.

Among them will be the latest in connectivity, which BMW has partnered with Harman to develop. Expect full WiFi capability, downloadable apps, 3D maps with real-time traffic and weather updates, and increased voice activation.

Then there's the myriad of traffic warning systems and convenience features such as self-parking and even some autonomous driving capability, for which BMW has partnered with automotive technology supplier Continental.

In addition, the next Seven will be available with every high-end option currently available from BMW, including laser headlights.