BMW world class car

The bodyshell of the BMW 7-Series offers an unusually good balance of low weight and superior strength and solidity. This is made possible by intelligent lightweight technology, appropriate use of high- and ultra-high-strength steel giving the body an extremely stable structure and, together with the use of aluminium on numerous further components, providing a significant improvement of passive safety on lower overall weight. As a result, overall weight of the new BMW 7-Series is down from that of the previous model by 35 kg (77 lb) and even 55 kg (121 lb), taking the range of equipment into account. At the same time the bodyshell of the new BMW 7-Series offers about 20 per cent greater torsional stiffness than the bodyshell of the former model, thus providing the foundation for the car's excellent driving dynamics.

A unique feature in the BMW 7-Series segment is the combination of an aluminium roof and a steel body. The advantage in weight provided by this solution versus a conventional steel roof is approximately 7 kilos, the lower centre of gravity achieved in this way helping to give the car significantly greater agility. The engine compartment lid, the doors, the front side panels and the front spring supports on the body are also made of aluminium, with the use of aluminium on the doors for the first time in a large-scale production BMW reducing weight once again by another 22 kg or 49 lb.

Exemplary protection of the occupants on all seats.

High-load-resistant carrier structures, extra-large and exactly defined crumple zones as well as highly efficient restraint systems coordinated by high-performance electronic control set the foundation for the high level of passive safety in the new BMW 7-Series.

Within the interior, in turn, frontal and hip/thorax airbags as well as side curtain head airbags all come as standard. BMW's new Luxury Saloon features three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all seats.

The restraint systems furthermore come with a belt force limiter and, on the front seats, an additional belt tightener. To protect the occupants from cervical spine injury in the event of a collision from behind, the front seats come as standard with crash-activated headrests. And last but certainly not least, ISOFIX child seat fastenings are featured as standard on the rear seats.

Highest standard of climate comfort in the luxury class.

Featured as standard, the automatic air conditioning ensures highly effective cooling quality quite unparalleled in the luxury performance segment. The driver and front passenger are able, with this sophisticated system, to individually control air temperature, air volume and distribution on the right and left side of the car.

Available as an option, four-zone automatic air conditioning also allows individual control and regulation on the rear seats. And the long-wheelbase BMW 7-Series even comes as a further enhancement of four-zone automatic air conditioning with roof vents at the rear complete with separate controls, supplied by an additional air conditioner fitted in the luggage compartment.

As an option the new BMW 7-Series is available with adjustable single seats at the rear, and both climate and massage seats are available as an option at the rear of the car.

Hard disc memory for audio data and the navigation system.

To make use of the audio and navigation system particularly convenient and comfortable at all times, the new BMW 7-Series comes as standard with a hard disc memory. Offering capacity of 80 GB, this high-performance memory ensures exceptionally rapid access to the digitally prepared map material used for navigation purposes. In addition, no less than 12 GB is available for a comprehensive list of music files, also enabling the user to transmit music files from a CD, an MP3 player or a USB stick straight to the hard disc.

The audio system in the new BMW 7-Series features a DVD player, an AUX-in and a USB port all as standard. Optional equipment includes a six DVD changer, a TV module and a receiver for DAB Digital Audio Broadcasting. To offer the driver and his passengers an even greater experience in sound quality, the optional Professional HiFi system is able to play back multi-channel audio formats. As an option, furthermore, the new BMW 7-Series may also be fitted with the BMW Individual High-End audio system.

The entertainment systems available on the rear seats of the new BMW likewise set new standards in the world of motoring, with two TV screens integrated in the front seat backrests and allowing individual use on each side, two headsets and two AUX-in ports as well as a DVD player all included in the entertainment package.

World debut: unrestricted use of the internet in the car.

BMW is the world's first car maker to provide unrestricted use of the internet in the car through BMW ConnectedDrive.

Use of the internet is an optional extra in the new BMW 7-Series and comes at an attractive flat rate.

As in the case of the BMW Online internet service, BMW, making this new offer, is once again paving the way in the use and availability of online services in the automobile.

Use of the internet in the car is based on BMW iDrive now enhanced to an even higher standard, the Controller taking over the function of a conventional computer mouse. Internet sites may be presented in high resolution on the Control Display, but for reasons of safety only when the car is at a standstill.

Fully integrated use of the Apple iPhone and other Smartphones.

The mobile phone preparation kit complete with a Bluetooth interface available on the new BMW 7-Series allows safe and comfortable use of a wide range of the latest mobile phones while driving. In addition, Smartphones with an MP3 function may also be fully integrated into the car using a specially developed snap-in adapter together with a USB port again available as an option. Using this option, the driver and passengers are able to use both the communication and the entertainment functions of their mobile phone, masterminding the entire process of operation through the iDrive control system. The new interface is suited for fully integration of Apple iPhone, Sony Ericsson K850i and Nokia 6500c mobile phones.

World-first achievement: Integrated Owner's Manual.

The wide range of innovative functions offered by the new BMW 7-Series in terms of sophisticated electronics is rounded off by the Owner's Manual fully integrated in the car. In the same way as conventional computer programs, the Integrated Owner's Manual gives the driver information on all features and equipment of his car within seconds at the touch of a button via iDrive. Instructions for use are presented clearly and easily-to-understand by animations backed up by sound information and even by slide shows. Short and clear texts as well as interactive graphics enable the user to quickly take up and process information received in this way.

Exquisite highlights from BMW Individual.

Choosing from the wide range of options offered by BMW Individual, the discerning driver of a BMW 7-Series is able to express his sense of select quality and exclusive style even more convincingly.

Among other highlights, the range includes new BMW Individual leather in Merino fine grain standing out not only through the unique quality of the material and exclusive colours, but also through distinctive seam patterns on the seats, the dashboard and the door linings. Matching the various leather colours, BMW Individual offers an even wider range of colours on the Alcantara roof lining, with fine trim bars in Satin Nut Brown, Reddish Brown plane tree and Black Piano paint ensuring particular class and style. A new highlight in the wide range of BMW Individual exterior colours is Citrin Black in Xirallic technology.

Yet a further feature offered by BMW Individual is the newly developed, fully integrated cooling box able to accommodate two 0.7-litre bottles and two 0.33-litre cans.

New 20-inch BMW Individual light-alloy wheels in V-spoke design round off the car's exclusive appearance on a truly personalised BMW 7-Series. In a nutshell, therefore, the wide range of features offered by BMW Individual combines the safety and maturity of the regular production car with the unparalleled appeal, style and class of a genuine one-off masterpiece.