Grill Yourself: The 2020 BMW 7 Series

Following leaked images that made the rounds online, BMW has officially taken the wraps off the 2020 7 Series. The latest update to the German manufacturer’s luxury line plays host to an almost comically oversized kidney grille, slimmer headlamps, and some zestier powertrain options.

However, before we get into technical and mechanical upgrades, we need to address the elephant in the room. The 7 Series’ new styling is not inelegant, but that grille occupies an alarming amount of space. BMW updated the look to more closely resemble its new X7 SUV and decided that meant installing a similarly massive chromed beak.

Fortunately, the rest of the car’s exterior sees more tasteful updates. A set of thinner headlights flank the hulking metal maw and a redesigned front bumper gives the car a more luxurious but less sporty image. Out back, a set of integrated tailpipes adorn the bumper, above which lie updated taillights that, again, are reminiscent of the X7, but work well enough with the sedan.

The interior is largely the same as before and is still very easy on the eyes — and probably on the ass, thanks to standard Dakota leather seats. You can upgrade to Nappa or Merino leather if you want to spend the coin. If you’re the sort of person who like being chauffeured in your 7 Series, you may also want to consider the executive rear seat package. This option removes the bench and replaces it with a pair of ultra-plush lounge seats, complete with their own entertainment systems.

As for the truly important changes, the buffet of tech offered in last year’s model has only grown larger. The 2020 7 Series’ standard equipment includes air suspension, wireless device charging, soft-close doors, a panoramic glass roof, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, ambient lighting, and gesture controls. There’s also thicker glass on higher trimmed models to keep the cabin even quieter than it already was.

Still, it’s probably the engine (and price) that dictates which trims most shoppers settle on. The 740i houses a 3.0-liter inline-six making 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. BMW claims it’s good for a 0-to-60 blast of 5.3 seconds. The 750i adds more power and a couple of cylinders with its upgraded V8, which boasts 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. Thanks to mandatory xDrive, the automaker says 60 mph can be had in just 3.9 seconds.

The V12 M760i is also xDrive only, which should come in handy when owners deploy its 600 horsepower and 627 foot-pounds to the pavement. However, if that’s not your bag, BMW has a plug-in hybrid model, the 745e, which mates the base inline-six to an electric motor. Combined, the duo makes 389 hp and 442 lb-ft. The upsized 12.0-kWh, lithium-ion battery should also improve the vehicle’s maximum range, but BMW isn’t ready to say by how much.

An eight-speed Sport Steptronic system will be the sole transmission on all trims. Standard safety equipment includes blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning with automatic braking, parking sensors and a 360-degree camera. Electronically controlled dampers and two-axle air suspension with automatic self-leveling are also standard, as is he ability to up the ride height by 0.8 inches with the touch of the button (in case you find yourself confronting a rather nasty speed bump or steep driveway).

The only thing we were surprised to see as an optional extra was BMW’s Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go — not because it’s commonplace within the industry, but because this is an upper echelon luxury sedan. But you can still get it if you have the cash, as well as goodies like BMW’s trick Back-Up Assistant, rear collision prevention, cross traffic alerts, lane keeping with assist, and so on. Basically, if the technology exists, you can probably tack it on.

Sales for the new 2020 BMW 7 Series should begin in April 2019, with pricing to be announced in a month or two.

[Images: BMW]