The BMW 7 Series has undergone a facelift. The LCI 7 Series receives new engines, more tech and has been confirmed for a South African market introduction in the second quarter of 2019. Here's what you need to know about the newcomer.

The big BMW 7 Series rattled the luxury sedan market back in 2016 thanks to advanced technology, new levels of comfort and Newton's Law-defying driving dynamics. Now for 2019, BMW has given its luxury sedan a nip and a tuck both inside and out.The BMW 7 Series will be offered in 2 body styles, but the SA market will only be getting the long wheelbase options. The newcomer is5 260 mm long and total length has been increased by22 millimetres. The new 7's height and width remain the same.

That front end is a massive talking point. Not only does the gaping grille dominate the front as it has increased in size, but the entire front unit sitshigher. The rear has changed too and adopts integrated exhaust tailpipes as well as LED taillights. There's also a neat thin light strip which stretches across the width of the rear bumper and connects the rear taillight units.

Inside, there's a bit more passenger space and more trim options like extended quilting and fine wood strips. There's a focus on reducing the outside noise from inside the cabin and BMW has refined the rear wheel arches and B-pillars in an effort to make the rear of the new 7 Series a quiet and peaceful place to sit.

The tech has changed too. From the digital dashboard adopting the latest style of BMW dials to the new BMW Touch Command rear-seat control unitwith its updated hardware and newsoftware. The screens at the back are 10-inch full HD units and there's now a Blu-ray player. BMW has also added its Intelligent Personal Assistant to the new 7 Series. Activate him/her with“Hey BMW” and you can control many functions of the vehicle likeinterior lighting, air conditioning, fragrancing and shading, not to mention seat massage, heating and ventilation.

South African specification

BMW South Africa confirmed that the following derivatives will be reaching our market in 2019: 745Le, 750Li xDrive, M760Li xDrive and 730Ld. At the top of the range sits the M760Li xDrive with 430 kW. Next up is the 750Li xDrive with a newly-developed turbocharged petrol engine with 390 kW.

There will be a specially adapted six-cylinder inline petrol engine and a more advanced high-voltage battery doing duty in the 745Le. Together the petrol and electric engine push out 290 kW, while BMW claims consumption sits between 2.6 and 2.1 L/100 km. BMW also claims this vehicle can drive between 50 and 58 km on electric power alone. For those wanting the frugality of a diesel, the 730Ld pushes out 195 kW and consumes between 5.5 and 5.3 L/100km.

We'll have final confirmation on pricing, specification and features closer to the vehicle's launch.

Further Reading

BMW 740e (2017) Quick Review

BMW 7-Series (2016) First Drive

BMW M760Li xDrive (2018) Quick Review

BMW 7 Series: A Tech Showcase [with Video]

Drag Race: BMW M4 Competition Pack vs BMW M760Li