Sovereign 7s: BMW 7 Series and X7

The role of BMW's crown jewel 7 Series may have evolved, but it retains its mandate of presenting the brand's latest thinking in terms of ultimate luxury, comfort and technology

The fact that the average age of a BMW 7 Series owner in China is 38 is T significant. It highlights the rate at which this flourishing market has been creating wealth within its population. More than 45% of annual 7 Series sales is focused within that country's borders, which goes a long way towards the German brand's positioning of its flagship proposition.

The X7 SUV has very quickly established itself as the favoured premium BMW product within the still-important US market. However, the need to appease a younger, more flamboyant emerging 7 Series sedan audience than historically acknowledged has prompted a number of tough board-level decisions in Munich. According to Sebastian Simm, lead designer on the new (G20) seventh-generation project, this included sign-off on the overall dimensions of the 7 sedan and approval for the horizontally split headlamp units to distinguish the future flagship family of vehicles.

Available exclusively in its long-wheelbase form, the revised 7 Series has grown by 130 mm in overall length (to 5 391 mm). It is also 45 mm wider and 51 mm taller than the outgoing LWB G11 model. Add a subtle stretch in wheelbase length for more presence, and its party pieces are the massive signature grille and novel headlamp design. In everyday driving conditions, the 7 is distinguishable via piercing LED driving lights that occupy the top tier of this lighting layout.

Obscured from view until illuminated, the main beams are sunken into the bold frontage. In South Africa, customers can choose between the standard-fitment Design Pure Excellence exterior package or an M Sport or M Sport Pro upgrade.