Scoop! We reveal prices+specs of super high-tech new BMW 7 Series in South Africa

As the traditional technological flagship of the BMW brand, the BMW 7 Series usually leads not only the company but often the motor industry by debuting unseen new car technology.  With today’s digital high-tech world, it will really have to dig deep to keep ahead.

The 6th generation BMW 7 Series

What started as BMW’s first big luxury car in the 1970s, BMW has, with each generation, moved the luxury car experience along.

To make an impression and stand out from the many other cars and their advanced computer-equipped safety and convenience items (and to keep going to the next level above its preceding illustrious 7 Series generations) the new 7 Series had to think up something new.

The first time we see this new technology

We will wait for the local launch before going into detail – some highlights are:

BMW Laserlight

Already moving ahead from the latest LED headlight technology, laser headlights are the next big things, outperforming all other lights to offer a high-beam light range of a tremendous 600 metres ahead.

BMW Gesture Control

No more touching buttons or controllers or screen in the new BMW 7 Series – some functions can be operated by simply using hand gestures.  For instance, to make or take a phone call, simple point your fingers at the centre screen console, or to decline a call, swipe your hand sideways.

Remote Control Parking

Take note – this is the start of the self-driving car!  Simply get out of the BMW 7 Series, then use the remote control BMW Display Key to command the car to enter or exit a parking space, making it ideal for narrow parkings without the need to squeeze either yourself/ves or your 7 Series in or out.

BMW Display Key

Even the key has gone high-tech and digital:  BMW Display Key shows various items of information, such as whether the car is locked, fuel range, service due (handy features, as this would previously have required you to go to the car to check it is locked or how much fuel is available) and the abovementioned Remote Control Parking.

Initial model availability

The first 2 BMW 7 Series models to enter the South African market will be the BMW 740i with the excellent BMW straight-6 TwinPower Turbo petrol engine and the diesel alternative offering big-car luxury with city-car economy of just 5.0 l/100km in the BMW 730d, though if you want shockingly low economy, wait for the 740e hybrid with a claimed combined 2.1 l/100 km.

BMW will follow these up by adding the V8 turbo engine in the 750i and the traditional long-door with more rear space in the L versions, such as the BMW 750Li pictured here.  No news yet on the V12 engine option, and the BMW M7 to take on Jaguar XJR or Mercedes-AMG S63 and/or S65 are still in the rumour mill.

Who the 7 Series is up against?

The BMW 7 Series needs to compete against Mercedes-Benz S-Class (its major rival), Audi A8 and Audi S8, Jaguar XJ and XJR (XJ facelift arriving in SA this year) and other small volume big luxury sedans like Maserati Quattroporte and Lexus LS.

Stuffed with high-tech stuff, the BMW 7 Series should appeal to the fashion and technology conscious.

New BMW 7 Series pricing for South Africa

The previous BMW 7 Series was launched in SA in 2009, and the latest price for the 740i was R 1 182 066.  The new 7 will come in at about R150k higher.

BMW 740i	R 1 337 888
BMW 730d	R 1 362 029

To see some more on the new BMW 7 Series, see the international news here, or visit the BMW site to view short video clips on the new technology items mentioned above.