Beamer me up

The latest from BMW was always going to break new technological ground, writes motoring editor ALASTAIR SLOANE.

The first official pictures of BMW's new 7-Series, which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September and is expected in New Zealand early next year, have been released.

The luxury German carmaker says its new flagship "points the way to the future of the top automobile category, with a progressive exterior and interior design, an innovative vehicle control concept and a multitude of technological highlights."

The motoring industry worldwide acknowledges that much will be made of the car's technical innovations, especially iDrive - the multi-function electronic control system.

But it is struggling to come to terms with BMW's use of "progressive exterior" to describe the look of the car, penned by acclaimed designer Chris Bangle.

One European critic said the "front end is a rather sorry sight - the headlights sit below orange bratwurst-style indicators and the blacked-our air intake below the bumper gives the car a grim face ... and sagging cheeks."

The rear end has been called "bulbous."

Cars rarely look as good in photographs as they do in the flesh, but BMW made little mention of the car's appearance in a globally distributed press release.

Instead, it concentrated on the car's technology, saying the 7-Series "sets new standards in the balance of performance, dynamism, safety, luxurious comfort and economy within the segment of luxury performance vehicles."

The 7-Series was always going to break new technical ground. BMW suggested as much a couple of years ago when it unveiled the inspirational two-door Z9 concept car, built to show off iDrive.

The electronic iDrive system groups up to 700 separate functions and operating modes together, doing away with the need for typical - and sometimes messy - switchgear.

Frequently used controls are situated in and around the steering wheel, and a few basic functions are located at the centre of the instrument panel.

The car's key has been replaced by a computer-coded swipe card, and the gear lever by a stubby stalk mounted on the steering column.

This stalk engages forward and reverse - gearshifts up and down the six-speed manual or automatic Steptronic transmission are executed by thumb switches on the multi-function steering wheel.

A central control knob gives the driver access to seven key functions: information, communications, vehicle, trip computer, roadside help, entertainment and air-conditioning. These are displayed on a screen on the dashboard. Internet access is also available.

Controls for the CD changer and mobile phone are also on the dashboard. Power functions to adjust the seats are on the centre armrest.

The first 7-Series to to go on sale in New Zealand will be the 745i, powered by a 4.4-litre V8 engine producing 245kW (333 bhp) and 450Nm of torque.

The unit uses BMW's Valvetronic technology, along with the BiVanos variable timing system. Valvetronic does away with the traditional throttle butterfly, allowing the fuel/air mixture to enter the cylinders through the variable inlet valves.

BMW says the technology improves fuel consumption by about 14 per cent in the new 7-Series while providing more power and cleaner exhaust emissions. It is the first time it has been used in a V-configuration engine. Valvetronic first appeared in 1.8-litre four-cylinder versions of the all-new BMW Compact.

The 745i is said to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, with maximum speed electronically limited to 250 km/h. Fuel consumption, measured by European Union criteria, is 10.9 litres per 100 km/h.

The aluminium chassis in the 7-Series uses for the first time a continuously variable electronic damper control function, as well as pneumatic suspension with automatic self-levelling for the rear axle.

An increase in passive safety is ensured by the latest evolution of BMW's side and head airbags, new active headrests for front seat passengers and the new Isis airbag safety control system.

Using a network of sensors, Isis decides which safety system to deploy, and when, in the event of an accident. The Isis system is faster and more precise than any previous airbag technology, says BMW.

The 7-Series will be launched in Europe in November. Production of right-hand-drive cars begins soon after, and BMW New Zealand aims to launch the 745i next February or March.

The new 7-Series will be released while BMW is taking hydrogen-fuelled models of the old 7-Series on a world tour, to prove the feasibility, safety and desirability of hydrogen as a clean fuel source for 21st-century cars. Since their launch in Berlin last year, the cars have covered more than 100,000km. They use existing internal combustion engines adapted for hydrogen fuel.