Flagship sedan has been made to look like the X7 and gets a new 745e plug-in hybrid with more all-electric driving range.
Wow, BMW has really grilled it!
Welcome to the first pictures of the BMW 7 Series in facelifted form. And yes, the centre of attraction is certainly no other than its face.
After revealing the all-new X7 last year with a super-big kidney grille up front, the 7 Series becomes the next BMW to feature such a nose job.
BMW is keen to point out that it wants its biggest sedan and SUV to share the same imposing face to underscore their flagship status.
Other exterior changes are air vents and lights up front, vertical side gills and chromed lamp cluster running the width of the rear.
The interior has been updated with the brand’s latest software for the operating system. The so-called Intelligent Personal Assistant appears for the first time in the 7 Series which can help the driver operate some functions via electronic voice control.
Does the 745e feature a new six-pot?
Yes it does, after debuting in the latest X5 in xDrive45e form. The 745e (badged 745Le in long wheelbase form) features a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol-turbo engine mated to plug-in electric system.
Replacing the pre-facelift 740e, the 745e produces a combined 394hp of power and has a longer all-electric driving range of 50-58km thanks to an upgraded lithium ion battery.
Some conventional petrol and diesel engines have also been updated for the 7 Series, although the only one of relevance to Thai buyers is the diesel-powered 730Ld.
Will the S-Class plug-in also be updated this year?
According to the chaps at Mercedes-Benz Thailand, the S560e is slated to appear in showrooms this year after being delayed from 2018 (which saw the return of the diesel-powered S350d.
Superseding the pre-facelift S500e, the S560e will also come with a better battery pack to increase the CO2-less driving range.
It appears the fight between the country’s two best-selling luxury car brands has intensified lightly even though this is just a mid-life update. The 745Le and S560e are essentially six million baht barges.
