The current generation BMW 7-Series->ke323 was only launched a couple of years ago, but with Mercedes tackling their S-Class with modifications improving fuel efficiency, as well as design, BMW had limited time to freshen up the competition. The facelifted BMW 7-Series will find its way to the market in 2013, ready to meet the new S-Class straight on.

The new 7-Series has received changes to both the exterior and the interior, as well as a line-up of new and upgraded engine variants. For the exterior, BMW->ke178 has added new full-LED headlights, a prominent BMW kidney grille, and a modified front apron, while the interior gets a multifunctional instrument display and a new Rear Seat Entertainment package.

The engine line-up will range from the 258 HP 3-liter straight-six petrol engine found in the entry-level 730i up to a 544 HP V12 engine found in the top version, the 760i. All of the versions will be combined with Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, and the second-generation Driving Experience Control switch with ECO PRO mode.

UPDATE 07/23/2012: BMW has announced that the new 2013 7 Series will arrive in US BMW center showrooms in late summer 2012, except for the ActiveHybrid 7 which arrives in early fall. Prices will range from $74,195 for the 740i version and will almost double - $140,200 - for the 760 Li version. Hit the jump for the full pricing list.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 BMW 7-Series.

2013 BMW 7-Series

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 BMW 7-Series
  • Engine/Motor: V12
  • Horsepower: 544
  • Torque: 553
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior and Interior

Considering that the current BMW 7-Series went on sale in 2009, many will believe that this refresh has been done a little early. We don't necessarily agree. Things have changed significantly on the automotive market since then and the 7-Series needs to keep up. That being said, the exterior and interior changes aren't as big as originally believed.

The new 7-Series has only received new LED headlights with hallmark BMW corona rings and a smart accent strip, a modified BMW kidney grille with nine slats – instead of the previous 12 – and a revised front apron. Other "significant" changes include the indicators integrated into the lower section of the exterior mirrors and a thin chrome strip connecting the two slim reflectors in the rear apron.

The interior gets newly designed leather seats offering optimum lateral support, while the rear seats get optional Rear Seat Entertainment package with a new 9.2-inch flat-screen monitor. The 7-Series has also received a new 1,200-watt Bang & Olufsen High End Surround Sound System and a multifunctional instrument display. The instruments are now presented using different colors and graphics depending on the driving mode selected, and provide situation-specific information such as status and function displays.

Engine

The 2013 BMW 7-Series will be offered with new and comprehensively revised engines which are extremely economical and low on emissions. What does this mean? It means that all engines will get an intelligent eight-speed automatic transmission, Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, and the second-generation Driving Experience Control switch with ECO PRO mode which offers additional potential for fuel-saving. There will also be a new TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder diesel engine found in the BMW 750d xDrive.

The base model is the 730i. It is powered by a 3-liter straight-six petrol engine that develops a total of 258 HP and a peak torque of 229 lbs-ft. The engine is mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission and delivers an impressive 32.9 mpg.

Going on level up, there's the 740i. It is powered by a 3-liter six-cylinder in-line engine that delivers a total of 320 HP 332 lb-ft of torque. Combined with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, twin-scroll turbocharging, Double-Vanos variable camshaft timing, and Valvetronic variable valve timing, this version has a fuel economy of 35.8 mpg.

Even more impressive is the 750i. This model comes with a revised 4.4 liter V8 petrol engine that delivers a total of 450 HP (+ 10 %) and a peak torque of 479 lb-ft (+ 8.5 %) between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm. Combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the 750i will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and up to a top speed of 155 mph, all while delivering a fuel economy of 32.9 mpg.

Finally, the top version is the 760i. It gets a 5,972 cc V12 engine with an output of 544 HP and 553 lb-ft of torque available as low down as 1,500 rpm. As a result, the 760i will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Fuel economy for this model is 22.1 mpg.

The diesel line-up begins with the 730d. It gets a 3-liter six-cylinder diesel engine that delivers a total of 258 HP and a peak torque of 413 lb-ft. This version delivers an impressive 50.4 mpg. Next there is the 740d. It is powered by a 3-liter six-cylinder diesel that delivers a total of 313 HP and a peak torque of 465 lb-ft. Fuel economy for the 740d is 49.6 mpg.

The new addition to the line-up is the BMW 750d xDrive. It is powered by a 3-liter high-performance diesel engine equipped with TwinPower Turbo technology. This version delivers a total of 381 HP and impressive peak torque of 546 lb-ft from as low down as 2,000 rpm. The model will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.9 seconds, while delivering a fuel economy of 44.1 mpg.

All models will be offered with an eight-speed transmission that boasts extremely fast shift and reaction times and direct downshift capability.

Body and Safety

The new BMW 7-Series will be offered with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) package that includes: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Automatic Stability Control (ASC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), and Cornering Brake Control (CBC), along with Start-Off Assistant, brake drying, and an electronic limited slip function for the rear differential, which can be activated using the "DSC Off" button.

The model comes equipped with front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, plus head airbags for both rows of seats, while all seats are fitted with three-point inertia-reel seat belts. The front seats are also fitted with crash-activated head restraints as standard.

Next to these security measures, the 7-Series is also equipped with an array of electronic aids that make an active contribution to driving safety: BMW ConnectedDrive, the new full-LED headlights with anti-dazzle High-Beam Assistant, Adaptive Headlights including cornering lights and variable light distribution, the Active Protection system with Attentiveness assistant featuring an eCall function and automatic vehicle location, and adaptive brake lights.

Prices

Version

Price

740i

$74,195

740Li

$78,195

740Li xDrive

$81,195

ActiveHybrid 7 L

$84,895

750i

$87,195

750i xDrive

$90,195

750Li

$90,895

750 Li xDrive

$93,895

760 Li

$140,200


Competition

The BMW 7-Series' biggest competitor is undoubtedly the Mercedes S-Class that is also preparing for an update. Spy shots reveal that the S-Class will get a similar treatment to the one applied by BMW: exterior and interior changes, plus modified versions of the Mercedes’ current lineup. There is also the Audi A8 to serve as a viable competitor. It has risen in popularity since the third generation was launched in 2011. However, the A8's biggest disadvantage is the lack of engine choices: it only gets a 4.2 FSI V8 engine that delivers 372 hp and 328.22 lb-ft torque at 3,500 rpm.