Overview
An entirely new generation of the 7-series, long BMW’s flagship sedan and the brand’s most luxurious and advanced product, is set to debut for the 2023 model year. The formula doesn’t look likely to change much from the current car’s: powertrains will almost certainly include a turbocharged inline-six, a twin-turbo V-8, and a plug-in hybrid. We’ve driven a thoroughly camouflaged prototype, and found that the 7-series veritably floats down the road. Its handling is a little more lithe than the 2022 car’s thanks to some changes to the chassis and suspension, including a new rear-wheel steering system. Its driver-assistance tech provides a semi-autonomous driving mode for highway slogs but the car’s showstopping feature is an optional 31-inch rear entertainment display called Theater Screen that drops from the ceiling and streams TV and movies using the onboard Wi-Fi system.
What’s New for 2023?
The 7-series is completely redesigned for the 2023 model year and is expected to offer an even plusher cabin, more futuristic technology, and bolder exterior styling. Production is slated to begin this summer with deliveries starting in November 2022.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
BMW hasn’t announced pricing for the next-generation 7-series yet, but we expect the model ladder and attendant MSRPs to be based on the powertrain choice. The 740i will run the inline-six, the 745e will be propelled by the hybrid system, and the top 750i will be motivated by the company’s well known and very powerful twin-turbo V-8. An all-electric variant called i7 will be based on the same body shell; we review that model separately.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Although we don’t have many details yet, we were able to sample the eight-cylinder prototype model during a brief test-drive event in Germany and noted its silky operation as well as powerful acceleration. The new car will come standard with an air suspension, and BMW has incorporated a rear-wheel steering system and adaptive dampers into the chassis as well. As a result, the new car feels more agile than the outgoing model but remains more focused on comfort than athleticism.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 7-series uses the same dashboard layout as the iX SUV, with a large digital gauge display mounted under the same glass panel as the infotainment touchscreen. The reconfigurable displays offer crisp resolution and snappy responses. An optional rear-seat entertainment system will be available and utilizes a huge 31-inch display that deploys from the ceiling of the car. Using an onboard 5G cellular data connection, rear-seat riders can stream Netflix or browse the web, interacting with the system via touchscreen displays integrated into the door panels.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
A host of updated driver-assistance features will be available, including a new hands-free driving mode for use on the highway and an updated parking assistant feature which allows the driver to exit the vehicle and park the car via a smartphone app. For more information about the 7-series’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are expected to include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous driving mode
As more information becomes available, we’ll update this story with more details about:
- Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
- Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
- Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
