The new BMW 7 Series focuses on sporting elegance, superb refinement and luxurious comfort combined with efficient yet high performance powertrains.

Small design enhancements, including new optional Adaptive LED headlights, accentuate the strong, powerful lines and balanced proportions inherent to the 7 Series. Inside and the pursuit of innovation is apparent with an enhanced control display and a new optional multi-function Instrument panel providing access to the latest in BMW’s ConnectedDrive technology.

With a revised range of highly efficient engines, a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox and the full array of EfficientDynamics technologies, the new BMW 7 Series combines enhanced performance with significantly reduced emissions and fuel consumption. The latest BMW 7 Series is also the first to be offered in the UK as an ActiveHybrid in both standard and long-wheelbase guises courtesy of a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine mated to a synchronous electric motor and lithium-ion high performance battery which will allow for solus electrically-powered driving at given times.

The true flagship of the range is the BMW 760Li, powered by a 12-cylinder engine with twin turbochargers. This all-aluminium, 5,972cc V12 features TwinPower turbo technology, direct fuel injection and Double-VANOS variable camshaft control to produce 544hp and 750Nm of torque from as low as 1,500rpm. Predictably, this gives the 760Li superb acceleration and speed (0-62mph takes just 4.6 seconds and the top speed is limited electronically to 155mph), all delivered with the silky refinement you would expect. However, more of surprise given the power and performance of the 760Li is the fuel consumption of 21.1mpg combined with C02 emissions of 314g/km.

The alternative flagship for the range given BMW’s long standing commitment to a sustainable future is the BMW ActiveHybrid7. The 320hp 2,979cc engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology is taken from the ‘standard’ 740i and then adapted with a 55hp synchronous motor, a hybrid specification eight-speed automatic transmission, a lithium-ion high performance battery all wrapped into an intelligent energy management package to provide the first 7 Series hybrid to be offered in the UK.

Performance is brisk yet economical and with low CO2 emissions. With a max output of 354hp and 500 Nm of torque the ActiveHybrid7 can accelerate from zero to 62mph in 5.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph. However, it is capable of this at the same time as achieving 41.5mpg and emissions of 158g/km.

In a first for the 7 Series it is now offered with BMW BluePerformance giving a car so equipped the ability to already surpass the forthcoming 2014 EU6 emissions criteria. Thanks to the use of an oxidising converter, a diesel particulate filter and a catalytic converter to all reduce the harmful emissions, including nitrogen oxide, that exit the exhaust.

All new BMW 7 Series models (except 760Li) are equipped with an Auto Start-Stop function and Brake Energy Regeneration. Intelligent energy management is further enhanced by the ancillary units, which consume significantly less energy compared with conventional systems. Examples include the on-demand coolant pump, the electronically controlled oil pump and the new Electric Power Steering system, which offers potential savings of up to three per cent.

The ECO PRO mode modifies the powertrain management and programming of the heating and air conditioning, heated seats and exterior mirror heating to operate at optimum efficiency. It also encourages an economical driving style.

The new BMW 7 Series goes on sale in the UK on 22 September, 2012 priced from £58,115 OTR for a 730d SE rising to £104,050 OTR for a 760Li M Sport.