There's More to the 2020 BMW 7 Series Than that Massive Grille

The facelifted 2020 BMW 7 Series appeared only hours after the most impressive debut of the 2019 Detroit Auto Show concluded. It is a considerably redesigned model, regardless of the fact that everyone's talking only about its massive front grille. There is so much more to it than that.

Revealed on June 10, 2015, at BMW's headquarters in Munich, the latest 7 Series was rather nice but never did achieve the stature of the S-Class. I may even go that far to say that no 7 Series ever did so. Now, three and a half years after the introduction of the 7 Series G11, BMW replenished it with new modern, and somewhat controversial design cues, new technology, and a new V-8 engine. That one was taken straight from the BMW M850i Sports Coupe.

The Munich-based company definitely dispensed with the subtle and conventional. Finally, we have a 7 Series that boasts perplexing, if not even esoteric, design.

The 2020 BMW 7 Series has a Huge Grille

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I have to talk about it. Inheritance is a big deal within the BMW culture. Usually, smaller cars get design cues from the big boys. But, what is bigger than the 7 Series? The X7, of course. It was the main inspiration behind designers’ courage for the craft of such a colossal grille. Heck, I would not be surprised if this one turns out to be the largest one ever fitted to a BMW. And the grille is fully active. Its function depends on the exterior conditions and requirements, but it will improve the cooling (if open), or the aerodynamics (if not). Maybe more importantly than that, the grille is finished in Aluminum satin or, optionally, in Cranium Grey.

The grille may be a design cue to talk about the most, but the 7 Series is subtly, yet firmly redesigned throughout. The headlights are thinner with LED units as standard. The laser headlights are optional, though. It’s a trend nowadays. I actually like it a lot. Plus, the rear bumper has been slightly reshaped. While all of the changes are rather minuscule, the Beemer grew by exactly 22 millimeters in length (for the short wheelbase as well as for the long wheelbase model). Of course, reshaped bumpers are guilty of the deed. After all, the 7 Series remains much the same as it was before in terms of architecture. That’s proven by the small plaque on the B pillar that states “Carbon Core.” It introduced the tech in 2015. It is the same architecture for the facelifted 7 Series as well.

The 2020 BMW 7 Series has a Refreshed Drivetrain and Better Performance

As expected, BMW revealed a number of models:

- BMW M760Li xDrive, 6.6-liter, V-12, 580 horsepower, 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds

- BMW 750i xDrive, 4.4-liter, V-8, 524 horsepower, 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds (this is the same engine as in the BMW M850i)

- BMW 745e, I-6, 280 horsepower, 113 horsepower electric motor, a combined power output of 385 horsepower, 442 pound-feet of torque, 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack, 0-62 mph in 5.1 seconds

All the models come standard with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and all, save for the 730d and the 745e, come with the all-wheel-drive system. xDrive is available for the LWB versions as well.

Better Insulation and More Technology For Exceptional Luxury

Apart from new engines, the BMW 7 Series is equipped with a whole wealth of technologies including the active roll stabilization system (something usually found on SUVs), rear wheel steering, and a suite of safety gear.

BMW thickened the insulation in the bodywork, redesigned engine mounts, and gearbox mounts and installed even quitter tires. Then, to move 7 Series into the 2020s, the sedan now has the newest BMW 7.0 iDrive system.

2020 BMW 7 Series specifications

	740i	740i xDrive	750i xDrive	M760i xDrive	745e xDrive
Engine type	--	B58B30M1	B58B30M1	N63B44T3	N74B66TU2	XB1151M1
Cylinders	--	6	6	8	12	6
Valves per cylinder	--	4	4	4	4	4
Stroke	mm	94.6	94.6	88.3	88.3	94.6
Bore	mm	82	82	89	89	82
Displacement	cm³	2,998	2,998	4,395	6,592	2,998
Compression rate	:1	11.0	11.0	10.5	10.0	11.0
Engine power	hp	335	335	523	600	389
at rpm	1/min	5500-6500	5500-6500	5500-6000	5500-6500	5000-6000
Engine torque	ft. lbs.	330	330	553	627	442
at rpm	1/min	1500-5200	1500-5200	1800-4600	1550-5000	1500-3500
Fuel type	--	Gasoline	Gasoline	Gasoline	Gasoline	Gasoline
Transmission type	--	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Transmission type	--	8HP51	8HP51	8HP76	8HP95	8P75H
0-60 mph	seconds	5.3	4.8	3.9	3.6	4.9
Top speed (with perf. tires)	mph	130 (155)	130 (155)	130 (155)	155	130 (155)