The Spies were surprised in at the private estate, Villa Sevillano by BMW when they announced we would be the first to see the facelifted 7-Series.
There's not that much new on the outside but inside we got the first real life shots for you of the all new fully digital dash.
Check out the press release and the best real life shots on the net and weigh in with your thoughts...
Full 2013 BMW 7-Series Real Life Photo Gallery
New 2013 BMW 7 Series Once Again Raises The Bar
BMW Flagship sets new standards for performance, luxury, efficiency and safety
The newly updated 2013 BMW 7 Series will again set new benchmarks in its class for performance, luxury, efficiency and safety. The updates include significant powertrain upgrades for 740i/Li and 750i/Li models – including BMW’s 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, xDrive – BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system – now available for the 740Li, as well as a completely new powertrain for the ActiveHybrid 7. The new 7 Series boasts a revised exterior that features new technologies such as available LED headlights. The interior of the new 7 is similarly enhanced with a newly redesigned iDrive system and the availability of an optional Bang & Olufsen High-End Surround Sound system. The new 2013 7 Series arrives in US BMW center showrooms in late summer 2012, expect for the ActiveHybrid 7 which arrives in early fall.
Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, ECO PRO mode.
All new BMW 7 Series models come equipped with Auto Start-Stop which can cut fuel consumption by up to six percent as well as Brake Energy Regeneration. Generally the battery is only recharged when the driver is off the throttle, for example, when coasting or under braking. Driving Dynamics Control in the new 7 now includes ECO PRO mode which modifies the powertrain management as well as the programming of the heating and air conditioning, heated seats and exterior mirror heating to operate with optimum efficiency. It also offers tips for an efficient driving style. Taken together, ECO PRO can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 20 percent.
Design: Innovation and stylish presence
The BMW 7 Series has traditionally set the highest standards for aesthetic appeal and innovative technology. In the luxury sedan segment it represents the epitome of athletic elegance and sporty driving dynamics. The new BMW 7 Series reaffirms its stylish presence and sporting prowess through expressive new design features at the front and rear.
From the front, the long, broad hood of the BMW 7 Series gives it an elegant profile. The contour lines of the hood draw the eye to the upright new BMW kidney grille as they extend forward. The grille’s chrome surround is now larger, a change which – together with a new kidney grille design that includes nine slats in place of the previous 12 – gives it greater prominence and reinforces the car’s presence on the road.
A large, full-width air intake dominates the lower section of the revised front apron. It is now split into three sections, a pair of chrome bars marking its outer sections and adding further depth to the car’s sporty looks. Included is BMW’s innovative “air curtain” technology, which lowers fuel consumption at higher speeds by forcing the air to flow more aerodynamically around the front wheels.
Hallmark BMW proportions, such as a long wheelbase, short front overhang, long, sweeping hood and set-back passenger compartment with a coupelike roofline, define the sporting and elegant silhouette of the BMW 7 Series. The exteriors mirrors have been redesigned and now feature integrated directional indicators.
The powerful rear of the BMW 7 Series reflects its performance potential. The horizontal lines and subdivision of the rear into several levels visually lowers the height of the car. The design of BMW’s traditional L-shaped taillights, linked by an eye-catching chrome strip, remains unchanged. They are now richer in contrast thanks to differing shades of red. A second, delicately sculpted chrome strip draws a visual connection between the two slim reflectors in the rear apron. Another slim chrome bar between the four chromed tailpipe tips in the rear apron is a distinguishing feature of the V12 760Li flagship.
New-generation navigation system: display and control in the third dimension.
The latest-generation navigation system features a revised design and honed operating system. The menu-driven navigation system has been augmented by new functions. The user interface includes revised graphics and now comprises 3D elements, while the entire architecture of the individual menus is now presented in virtual, three dimensional spaces. Its 1.3 GHz processor and dedicated 3D graphics card, bring new levels of animation and dynamic transitions.
Along with the menu presentation, the navigation displays have been revised and enhanced. The map displays and guidance information are now depicted with even greater brilliance and sharpness than before. Additional function bars allow the map view to be customized quickly and simply without having to leave the map. The new function bars are superimposed as an extension of the original map bar and open up additional options. This allows for Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) or weather updates to be superimposed, points-of-interest to be displayed, or the map to be quickly switched from top view to perspective view. Standardization of the control bars in the multimedia sphere facilitates operation of a wide range of audio sources.
740i / 750i
740i/Li gets 315 horsepowers / 330 lb-ft torque (high output version of 3.0L TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder N55 engine), with estimated 20% reduced fuel consumption
750i/Li gets 445 horsepowers / 480 lb-ft torque (+45hp / +30tq) over predecessor (V8 N63tu engine), estimated 25% reduced fuel consumption
0-60 MPH in 4.7 seconds (preliminary) for 750i/Li
Latest 8 speed automatic transmission
Auto Start-Stop
Brake energy regeneration
Second generation Driving Dynamics Control with ECO PRO, COMFORT, COMFORT+, SPORT, SPORT+ modes
Coasting Mode for ECO PRO mode (engine decoupled when coasting 30-100mph - engine freewheels on deceleration with no engine braking effect)
Dynamic Damper Control
Active Roll Stabilization (standard on 760Li, optional in other models)
Integral Active Steering
Self leveling air suspension
xDrive now available on 740Li
ActiveHybrid 7
Now powered by 315hp inline 6-cylinder N55 engine (replaces V8), with 55hp electric motor
349 horserpowers / 367 lb-ft torque
0-60 MPH in 5.5 seconds (preliminary)
14% efficiency increase over new 740Li
Facelift Features
Larger grille chrome surround
Nine grille slats (down from original 12 slats)
Large, full-width air intake in revised front apron (now split into three sections)
New air curtain vents
Pair of chrome bars in revised front apron
LED corona "angel" light rings
LED turn signal indicators in headlight (8 LED units on each side)
New 'eyelash' light strip at top of headlights
Squared corona rings for LED headlights
Side mirrors with integrated turn signals
Rear tailights now feature more contrast with differing shades of red
Second chrome strip in rear apron (and another slim chrome bar between four chromed tailpipe tips for 760Li)
Newly designed, more slender front seats
Individual rear comfort seats (standard on 760Li and optional on other models) - individually adjustable backrest angle, seat position, and head restraints
Optional Rear Seat Entertainment Package now includes iDrive controller and two 9.2" screens
Enhanced interior soundproofing
New interior ambient lighting (adjustable color - footwell and B-pillar lights)
Band & Olufsen sound system now available
New Generation Navigation System
Powered by 1.3GhZ processor and dedicated 3D graphics card
Revised graphical user interface with 3D elements, with menus presented in virtual, 3D spaces
Navigation displays revised and enhanced
Pie menu
Full speech recognition function and dictation function (for composing short text based messages), recognizes six languages
Two phones may now be paired to the car at the same time, via bluetooth
* See photos of the new navigation system below
Other Technology
Enhanced Active Cruise Control, featuring Stop & Go to automatically brake car if required
Active Protection, featuring Attention Assistant
BMW Parking Assistant
Hands-free trunk opening
Full 2013 BMW 7-Series Real Life Photo Gallery
**FULL DISCLOSURE - BMW paid for AutoSpies.com to attend the press launch of their new car and provided transportation, food and lodging.