BMW tones down its next 7

Fans of German super-saloons are about to be in seventh heaven! These are the first official pictures of BMW’s new flagship – and it’s shaping up to be a big hit.

The controversial styling of the existing 7-Series has been ditched in favour of a more sculpted and modern look. A larger trademark kidney grille is surrounded by a wider, flatter bonnet and rakish headlights inspired by the CS concept seen at 2007’s Shanghai Motor Show. In profile, the car is no longer slab-sided, but features flared arches and small vents behind the front wheels, as well as a sharp crease at the waist that leads to a more rounded rear end.

Inside, the iDrive control system has a 10.2-inch screen with wireless Internet access. All-new suspension delivers a cosseting ride, and petrol cars get air springs at the rear. For those who want a sportier drive, the gearbox, throttle, dampers and steering settings can be sharpened via a button on the dash. There are normal, comfort and sports modes, while sports+ deactivates the DSC stability system. Topping the range is a 750i with the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 from the X6. It has 401bhp and 600Nm of torque – enough for 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds and a limited top speed of 155mph.

Other options include the 740i with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six, and the 730d featuring a 3.0 turbodiesel which returns 39.3mpg. All of the engines are linked to a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard. The first chance to see the car in the flesh will be at the Paris Motor Show in October, with UK sales scheduled to start at the end of the year.