The Big Boss gets the Flagship Overhaul

• The BMW 7 Series 2020 is a flagship of style and comfort.
• A night vision system is part of a wide range of technology.
• Expect stronger engines and a hybrid plug-in option.

I know what you are thinking. Isn’t , the new 8 Series, the BMW flagship model? Not a chance. The 2020 BMW 7 Series will be here soon to show the other BMWs what they’re really made of. The new 7 Series is far from a traditional luxury-sport sedan. Although previous models were more oriented towards comfort than outright sportiness, the 7 Series never lost that “ultimate-driving-machine” mentality.

The 2020 BMW 7 Series proves that elegance, luxury and prestige are still important. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this.

Fresh Face for the New Year

It is impossible to ignore the massive front grille. The front grille is 40% larger than that of the previous generation 7 Series and looks remarkably like the on the BMW X7. The self-adjusting vanes open automatically when it is necessary to cool the engine.

To emphasize the wider and taller front of the 2020 BMW 7 Series, the hood is redesigned to extend to the top edge of the new grille. Instead of the conventional air intakes, large air deflectors are installed in the lower portion of bumper. These air deflectors, however, are not just useless ornaments. The air deflectors direct the air towards the brake air ducts, and then to air curtains. These are placed behind the front wheel to reduce turbulence.

Laser headlights are available on the 2020 BMW 7 Series, making it one of the first BMW models with this option. There are lasers on the front of the 7 Series. BMW claims that lasers are 1000 times more powerful than LED lights. BMW has resisted fitting the 7 Series with bigger headlights. They chose slimmer units instead to give the vehicle an angular and muscular fascia.

There are lasers on the front of the #7Series. Click to Tweet

New and more powerful engines

The 2020 BMW 7 Series has a lot of interesting features. The new 7 Series comes with a familiar selection of motors that all produce more torque and power. This is definitely a good thing for a German luxury vehicle.

The 740i base model comes with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that is turbocharged and has direct injection. The engine produces 335 horsepower and torque of 330 lb.-ft. This torque is available between 1,500 and 5,200 rpm. It is sufficient to sprint from 0-60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. The 740i xDrive is capable of achieving this feat in 4.8 second.

If you are one of the 7 Series owners that demand more power, then the 4.4-liter engine in the 750i will be a great choice. The twin-scroll turbocharged engine has 523 horsepower, 553 lb.-ft. torque and 80 horsepower more than the previous model. The twin-scroll, turbocharged engine is nestled at a 90-degree angle in between the two banks. This means that it has 80 more horsepower than the previous model.

The 750i can reach 60 mph with xDrive in 3.9 second.

The new #7Series from @BMW has a familiar selection of motors. However, they all produce more torque and power; this is definitely a good thing for a German luxury vehicle. Click to Tweet

Hybrid Powertrain & Revised V12

What good is a 7 Series without the new V12 engine to complement it? The new 6.6-liter turbocharged V12 is made of all-aluminum and features mono-scroll Turbocharging. The V12 can produce an incredible 600 horsepower and 627 pounds-feet of torque. The BMW 760i xDrive can sprint from 0 to 60 mph within 3.6 seconds.

The 2020 7 Series plug-in hybrid is also an option. BMW installed a six-cylinder engine instead of a turbocharged 4-banger. I don’t know why. The BMW 745e, with its new lithium-ion high-voltage battery pack and electric engine, can sprint to 60 mph within 4.9 seconds. Total combined power for the 7 Series Hybrid is 389 horsepower, and 442 lb.-ft. torque. There’s no word on the range of all-electric vehicles, but I hope it is more than 14miles.

All engine options are paired with an automatic transmission of eight speeds. Standard across the range is xDrive or all-wheel drive.

What good is the new #7Series from @BMW without a V12 engine to complement it? Click to Tweet

More Flexible Suspension

The 2020 BMW 7 Series uses a double wishbone front axle, a five-link back axle and an adaptive suspension system. BMW claims that the rear suspension system is unique, as it uses dual elastic bearings with specially-tuned elastokinematics for excellent directional control. The adaptive system comes with electronically-controlled dampers and two-axle air suspension with automatic self-leveling. Air supply is individually controlled for each wheel. This means that the new 7 Series remains balanced, even when it’s loaded unevenly.

With the Driving Experience Control, you can also adjust the damper settings manually to suit your personal preferences. You can choose a sportier or more comfortable ride, and you can even adjust the suspension. It can, for example, be raised 0.8 inches by pressing a button when driving on bumpy roads or steeply angled driveways.

Softer Steering

Integral Active Steering, an optional feature for the 2020 BMW 7 Series, is worth considering. BMW claims that the system combines electro-mechanical steering and variable ratio steering on the front wheels, with rear axle steering. This means that the 7 Series, which is larger, will be easier to handle. At lower speeds, for example, steering inputs can be reduced because the rear wheels are turning in the opposite direction to the front wheels.

At higher speeds, however, the rear wheels will follow the same path as the front, which allows the 7 Series to follow the direction set by the driver.

 

Bristling With Technology

I expected the 2020 BMW 7 Series would come with everything, and I wasn’t disappointed. The Active Driving Assistant package is included as standard in the new 7 Series. This package comes with pedestrian and collision warnings, automatic city brakes, lane departure warnings and blind spot detection. Selecting the option for BMW’s Driver Assistant Professional will add active cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision prevention, and automatic lane-changing with evasion support.

This upgraded safety package also includes the Extended Traffic Jam Assist. The system can adjust the speed with navigation and handle acceleration and braking. The camera-based traffic signs recognition system also uses navigation data to calculate upcoming speed limits.

The 2020 BMW 7 Series comes with a night vision system and a heads-up screen. This relays an image of people, animals and other heat emitting objects in real time to the Control Display. The headlights are used to illuminate any detected objects.

Interiors are adorned with a variety of materials that feel soft to the touch and have coordinated design elements. The Dakota leather comes standard, while the Nappa leather quilted with a longer pattern is an option. Standard features include the 12.4-inch digital display instrument panel and the 10.25-inch screen for the control. Photo: BMW of North America LLC.

Pricing & Availability

The MSRP for the 2020 BMW 7 Series starts at $87,445. The table below details the various options and packages that are available. Stand-alone options include remote start, wheels of 19 or 20 inches, front massaging chairs, and rear seat entertainment systems, among others.

As I’ve said, the 7 Series is far from being just another luxury-sport sedan.

Alvin Reyes, Associate Editor at Automoblog. In his youth, he studied aeronautics and accounting, but he is still a fan of his old Lancer GSR or Galant SS. Fried chicken, music and herbal medicine are also his favorites.

2020 BMW 7 Series Options and Packages

Individual Package	Package Contents
M Sports Package	(740i, 750i, 750ixDrive and 745exDrive)- Includes M Sport exhaust (750ixDrive only), 19 or 20 inch wheels, M Sport steering, aerodynamics specifics, Shadowline exterior, Anthracite headlining, M door sills, M foot rest, and choice of interior trim.
Autobahn Package	(740i, 750i and 740i) – Includes Active Comfort Drive and Integral Active Steering.
Premium Package	(740i 740i and 745e) – Includes Power Rear Sunshade, rear side window shades and Heads-Up Display along with your choice of Nappa Leather Interiors.
Executive package	This package is available on the 745e, 740i, and 740i. It also includes a Panoramic LED Sky Lounge Roof, Front Ventilated Seats, and an Instrument Panel with Nappa Leather Finish and Ceramic Controls. This package also includes rear window shades and power rear sunshade on the 750i.
Cold Weather Pack	(740i, 750i xDrive & 745e) – Includes Remote Engine Start and Front and Rear Seat Heated Armrests & Steering Wheel.
Interior Design Pack	The 740i, 740i and 745e models come with a wood grab handle, wood-trimmed Rear Seat Belt Cover, wood-trimmed Rear Center Armrest, luxury rear floor mats, and an Alcantara Headliner.
Luxury Rear Sitting Package	All models – Includes Rear Ventilated Seats, Rear Comfort Seats, Heated Steering Wheel, Front and Rear Heated Seats and Armrests, and Rear Massaged Seats.
Professional Driving Assistance Package	All models – Includes Extended Traffic Jam Assist for highways with limited access, Active Cruise control with Stop and Go, Active Lane-Keeping Assistant (with side collision prevention), Steering & Traffic Jam Assist, Automatic Lane-Change, Evasion Assistant & Front Cross Traffic Alert.
Rear Executive Lounge Seating Package	(750i and M760i) – Includes Electric Reclining Individual Rear Seats (on the passenger side), Executive Lounge Center Console at the rear, rear Entertainment Professional.