BMW Fire raser

The BMW 7-Series' drivetrain superiority is reinforced with a plethora of automotive firsts. All BMW 7-Series can now be specified with the world's first Head-up Display incorporating a speed limit warning system. A camera mounted on the back of the rear view mirror scans oncoming road signs to alert the driver of any impending speed restriction. The BMW 7-Series is also the world's first car available with a Side View camera system that operates in conjunction with Park Distance Control. The system provides an overview of traffic conditions on the iDrive display so the driver can negotiate a partially obscured junction, leave a car park or drive through a narrow gate with absolute confidence.

The new BMW 7-Series can be specified with the world's most advanced Night Vision system in a production car. BMW was the first manufacturer to fit a Night Vision system to a premium car and it has now upgraded this package to include an individual person recognition system in another world first. A control unit within the system analyses video data of human behaviour as part of the Night Vision camera's reach and can subsequently alert the driver if it detects a human is moving into the path of the vehicle.

Building on the impressive list of innovations, the BMW 7-Series is the first BMW to feature Lane Change Warning combined with Lane Departure Warning. The latter is a system that first appeared on 5 and 6 Series models and uses a camera to monitor road markings. Should the driver start to stray out of lane, a gentle vibration of the steering wheel would provide an alert. However, courtesy of cameras located in the door mirrors, Lane Change Warning adds another tier of driver safety. The two cameras constantly scan the blind spot either side of the vehicle, up to a distance of 60 metres, and alert the driver to the presence of another vehicle with a triangular symbol in the door mirror.

Completing the host of innovations is speed-related Integral Active Steering. A car specified with this optional equipment allows the rear wheels to turn by up to 3º. At slow speeds it is highly manoeuvrable, while at a faster pace it offers enhanced composure and driving dynamics. BMW's flagship car is also the world's first to come with full-scale Internet connectivity.

Tailormade driving dynamics

The latest generation BMW 7-Series is the first to have Dynamic Driving Control featuring Dynamic Damping Control as standard. Dynamic Driving Control is the umbrella function that lets a driver customise the characteristics of his or her car. As part of this Dynamic Damping Control can bet set in comfort, normal or sport modes, but, for the first time, with the added benefit that these settings are infinitely variable depending on driving style and road surface condition. Depending on selected mode the throttle response, gear change speed and steering feel are also altered at the same time.

To aid driving dynamics and comfort the BMW 7-Series is the first BMW Saloon to feature race car-like double-wishbone front suspension. This arrangement allows engineers to fine-tune the suspension for the best kinematic configuration. The rear suspension consists of a five-link arrangement made of aluminium which can be further optimised with the inclusion of Adaptive Air Suspension.

The 2009 BMW 7-Series comes as standard with Dynamic Stability Control + featuring additional functions such as Hill-Start Assistant, Brake Drying, Brake Pre-tensioning, Soft-stop and Brake Fade Compensation. Dynamic Traction Control can be activated via a button to enable spirited driving or greater traction of slippery surfaces such as snow and ice.

A new interior

The new BMW 7-Series comes with one of the most luxurious interiors of any premium car. In addition to a new iDrive controller and larger 10.2-inch screen, owners will be able to programme frequently selected radio stations or navigation destinations on favourite buttons located on the centre console. For the first time on a BMW the instrument cluster comprises a high-resolution colour display with Black Panel technology. This new style of display makes for greater character clarity and, when not in use, forms a smooth, homogenous black surface that gives the interior an added level of modern elegance.

With its 40Gb hard drive, the BMW 7-Series is the first production car in the world that enables a customer to upload their favourite music to be stored on the vehicle. In excess of 100 albums can be saved in this way for the driver's enjoyment. Four-zone automatic air-conditioning can be specified and, for the first time, the BMW 7-Series can have a rear seat ventilation system combined with massage function. The air-conditioning system feeds cool air to the seat squab and backrest while twelve massage bubbles gently kneed the occupants' upper body.

The BMW 7-Series comes with BMW ConnectedDrive with enhanced BMW Assist and BMW TeleServices as standard. BMW Assist is the reactive safety blanket that automatically dials the emergency services if the driver is involved in an accident. For the BMW 7-Series this life-saving system has been improved so that it can now tell the emergency services the severity of the accident and the likely injuries of those inside. BMW TeleServices sees the 7-Series automatically communicate with a call centre if it the car is due a service or a potential fault is detected