The flagship luxury sedan benchmark has just been elevated in India as BMW officially unleashes the facelifted 7 Series, priced at Rs 1.95 crore (ex-showroom). Arriving more than three years after the current-generation flagship made its original debut in the country, this dramatic update brings aggressive styling refinements, Next-Gen cabin technology, and a thrilling boost in performance that is bound to captivate automotive enthusiasts nationwide.

Striking Design and Aggressive Road Presence

BMW design engineers focused significantly on giving the refreshed 7 Series a far more upright, substantial, and commanding posture on the road. Up front, the iconic split-headlamp configuration has been expertly reworked, elevating slim daytime running lights above the primary LED main units, which now sit seamlessly adjacent to vertical air intakes.

Dominating the front fascia is a redesigned, squared-off kidney grille complete with bold horizontal elements and an eye-catching illuminated outline. Below, a larger air intake anchors the front bumper. Looking along the side profile, fresh alloy wheel designs immediately set the updated model apart, featuring 20-inch wheels as standard while offering massive 22-inch units as an option. The rear design is completed with wider LED tail-lamps and a sculpted rear bumper that emphasizes the luxury sedan’s wide stance.

Futuristic Cabin Inspired by Neue Klasse Concepts

Step inside, and the updated 7 Series welcomes occupants with a massive leap forward in digital luxury. Taking direct inspiration from BMW’s futuristic Neue Klasse concept models, the dashboard layout features an astounding digital setup: a massive 17.9-inch central infotainment touchscreen, a 14.6-inch dedicated display for the front passenger, and BMW’s full-width Panoramic Vision display spanning across the glass.

The revised centre console eliminates clutter with fewer physical controls, added storage compartments, and an elegant new cylindrical drive selector. Drivers grip a freshly sculpted four-spoke steering wheel while surrounded by luxury amenities, including an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins high-end sound system, ambient lighting, electric powered doors, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, over-the-air software updates, and a fixed panoramic glass roof.

The facelifted 740 undercuts its key rival, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, by as much as Rs 43 lakh while commanding a Rs 10 lakh premium over the outgoing model.

Uncompromised Comfort and High-Tech Luxury

Rear passengers are treated to ultimate executive luxury. Beyond powered, heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, the cabin features powered leg rests, an executive Boss mode, and Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). For the ultimate cinematic journey, buyers can configure the rear seating area with a massive 31.3-inch 8K entertainment display, while the panoramic glass roof can be upgraded with integrated LEDs synchronized with the ambient interior lighting.

Boosted Powertrain Performance

Under the expansive bonnet, the new 7 Series packs serious muscular performance. Offered exclusively in the 740 petrol guise for the Indian market—with BMW choosing to discontinue the diesel-powered 740d—the sedan relies on a thoroughly upgraded 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six petrol engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup.

Engineers squeezed out additional potency, pushing total outputs to an exciting 400bhp and 540Nm of torque. That represents a substantial jump of 19bhp and 20Nm over the outgoing 740 variant. Power is funneled directly to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission, launching this large luxury flagship from 0-100kmph in just 5.4 seconds before reaching an electronically capped top speed of 250kmph.

Local Manufacturing and Market Dynamics

Underlining BMW’s commitment to local production, the updated 7 Series petrol sedan and its electric twin, the i7 eDrive50, will be assembled locally at BMW’s Chennai manufacturing facility. Alongside the eDrive50, BMW has also introduced the high-performance i7 M70 variant in India.

Equipped with adaptive suspension and rear-wheel steering as standard chassis features, the facelifted 7 Series sets a fierce new benchmark as it continues its head-to-head rivalry against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in India’s top-tier luxury car segment.