Despite its size and comfort the 7-series is still a BMW and is meant to be a "driver's car." It's almost 200 pounds lighter than today's model, according to BMW. That's thanks, in part, to the extensive use of carbon fiber in key parts of the body, particularly around the roof. This also helps to lower the car's center of gravity, making for better cornering.
The 7-series will be offered with a choice of six-cylinder or V8 engines, both turbocharged. It will have an eight-speed automatic transmisson that uses GPS map data to pre-select the appropriate gears for the road ahead. This technology first appeared on the Rolls-Royce Wraith from BMW's British ultra-luxury division.
A plug-in hybrid version with an electric-only range of up to 23 miles will also be available.
