BMW has revealed images and specifications for the revised 7-Series range which will be available for the UK’s chauffeur industry in September.

Featuring improved comfort suspension, interior refinements and new engines increasing economy and lowering CO2 emissions, the new BMW 7-Series promises to be a serious contender within the chauffeur drive market. It gets a new options LED technology on the front end, whilst inside the cabin, it benefits from an enhanced multi-function instrument panel providing access to the latest in BMW’s ConnectedDrive technology.

The latest model is to be offered in the UK as an ActiveHybrid in both standard and long-wheelbase guises courtesy of a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine mated to a synchronous electric motor and lithium-ion high performance battery which will allow for solus electrically-powered driving at given times.
Additional soundproofing material has been incorporated in the B and C pillars, the sills and boot area, with careful sealing around the window frames and mirrors. New, variable-colour ambient lighting adds to the feeling of luxury.

Comfort seats are optionally available and can be ordered in combination with either folding tables or a new rear seat entertainment system that features 9.2-inch colour screens. These appear to be ‘floating’ thanks to their new slim design.

A further option is the individual rear Comfort seats, which features electrical adjustment for the seat back angle, seat position and head restraint. And for the ultimate in rear-seat comfort, BMW offers the long wheelbase version of the new 7 Series, with an extra 140mm in the wheelbase devoted to rear seat legroom and an extra 10mm of rear seat headroom as well.

In ECO PRO mode, the instrumentation turns blue and the rev counter is replaced by an EfficientDynamics display that turns grey if the car is being driven in an inefficient manner. Additional features of this system include a speedometer zoom function that enlarges the part of the dial showing the current speed, and the ability to show useful further information depending on the current situation – such as navigational data.

The 3.0-litre TwinPower turbo straight-six now produces 258hp and 560Nm of torque – both increases on previous outputs – but couples those figures with a combined fuel consumption of 50.4mpg and outstandingly low CO2 emissions of just 148g/km, a reduction of 30g/km versus its predecessor. EU6 compliance is also available as an option with no impact to emissions or fuel economy.

Maximising the efficiency of these engines is the new Eight-speed automatic gearbox, fitted as standard across the range, which helps the engine to work in its optimum rev band to the benefit of both performance and economy.

BMW’s engineers have fine-tuned the chassis of the new 7 Series for even greater levels of driving comfort and agility. The aluminium front double wishbone and integral-V rear axle have been carefully developed, with modified rubber bearings, ball joints, stiffer dampers and retuned kinematics the result. The self-levelling air suspension on the rear axle, now standard across the range, provides a smooth ride with excellent insulation from the road surface.

The new BMW 7 Series goes on sale in the UK on 22 September, 2012 priced from £58,115 OTR for a 730d SE rising to £104,050 OTR for a 760Li M Sport.