Following Friday's leak, BMW has officially taken the wraps off its 7-Series.

The flagship of the BMW model range debuts globally in November with a host of world firsts and, initially, a choice of three powerplants: one diesel and two petrol engines.

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The two petrol-powered cars will be offered with a long-wheelbase body too. All three engines produce more power yet use less fuel and produce less emissions than the models they replace.

The BMW 730d features a new all-aluminium 3.0-litre straight-six cylinder diesel engine that produces 182kW at 4000rpm, with a peak torque figure of 540Nm attained from 1750rpm through to 3000rpm.

The 2993cc powerplant posts the lowest ever CO2 figure of any previous BMW 7 Series and it is also the most economical 7 Series ever with emission figures of 192g/km and combined consumption rating of 39.2mpg. It can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 7.2 seconds and has a 245km/h top speed.

The BMW 750i and 750Li are the range flagships. The new 4395cc V8 engine from the recently launched X6, featuring twin-turbochargers and high-precision direct injection technology, produces 304kW from 5500rpm to 6400rpm; figures that are backed up by 600Nm of torque from 1750rpm to 4500rpm. This sees the BMW 750i accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds (5.3 seconds for the 750Li) before going on to an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h. Consumption on the combined cycle is 24.8mpg, while CO2 emissions equate to 266g/km.

The all-aluminium V8 engine powering the 750i and 750Li also features its own world first ? twin-turbochargers and catalysts that are placed within the V-space of the engine block, so that a V8 engine has an equivalent output of a traditional 12-cylinder unit.

Aimed at customers who prefer the characteristics of a petrol-powered BMW six-cylinder engine, the BMW 740i and 740Li are also offered. Using a 2979cc powerplant, the BMW 740i musters 243kW and 450Nm of torque. The twin-turbocharged engine features high-precision direct injection and Double-VANOS variable valve technology. The car accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds (6.0 seconds for the 740Li) before going on to an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h. The 3.0-litre BMW 740i and 740Li post combined fuel consumption figures of 28.5mpg and 28.2mpg respectively, while returning emissions figures of 232g/km and 235g/km.

All BMW 7 Series models come with a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

EfficientDynamics

The launch of the new 7 Series means the entire BMW range now comes equipped with EfficientDynamics technologies as standard. With its roof, doors, bonnet and side panels all made from aluminium to dovetail with the principle of lightweight engineering, the BMW 7 Series also has other technology which improves engine performance, while cutting fuel consumption and emissions.

Brake Energy Regeneration uses the engine's power on overrun, such as braking, to charge the battery for the car's electrical circuit. When the driver is accelerating the alternator disengages so all of the engine's power is channelled towards the car's performance. Other ancillaries, such as the air-conditioning compressor, are also able to disengage to improve the all round performance of the car.

World firsts

All 7 Series can now be specified with the world's first car available with a Side View camera system. In addition to Park Distance Control that aids slow speed manoeuvring, the front side view camera system further boosts driver awareness. With the touch of a button two forward facing cameras mounted in the front bumper can show an overview of traffic conditions on the iDrive display. This allows the driver to negotiate a partially obscured junction, leave a car park or drive through a narrow gate without worrying about bumps or scrapes.

The 7 Series can be specified with what's billed as the world's most advanced Night Vision system in a production car. Now including a pedestrian recognition system, it features a control unit that analyses video data of human behaviour as part of the Night Vision camera's reach and can subsequently alert the driver if it detects a human is moving into the path of the vehicle.

Building on the list of innovations, the 7 Series is the first BMW to feature Lane Change Warning combined with Lane Departure Warning. The latter is a system that first appeared on BMW 5 and 6 Series models and uses a camera to monitor road markings. Should the driver start to stray out of lane, a gentle vibration of the steering wheel provides an alert. Lane Change Warning features two radars located at either side of the rear bumper, with sensors constantly scanning the blind spot either side of the vehicle, up to a distance of 60m, and alerting the driver to the presence of another vehicle with a triangular symbol in the door mirror housing.

Cars that are specified with Head-up Display and Lane Departure Warning have the added driver benefit of a speed limit warning system. The camera used as part of the Lane Departure Warning system can now also scan oncoming road signs to alert the driver of any impending speed restriction. The current speed limit is then displayed in the Head-up Display. Again this is the first time a production car has been offered with a speed warning system that can read road signs.

Completing the host of innovations is speed-related Integral Active Steering. A car specified with this optional equipment allows the rear wheels to turn by up to 3?. At slow speeds it is highly manoeuvrable, while at a faster pace it offers enhanced composure and driving dynamics.

Driving dynamics

The new BMW 7 Series is the first to have Drive Dynamic Control featuring Variable Damping Control as standard. Drive Dynamic Control is the umbrella function that lets a driver customise the characteristics of his or her car. As part of this Variable Damping Control can be set in comfort, normal, sport, sport + modes. For the first time though these settings are variable depending on driving style and road surface condition. The selected mode now alters the throttle response, gear change speed and steering feel.

To aid driving dynamics and comfort the 7 Series is the first BMW Saloon to feature race car-like double-wishbone front suspension. The rear suspension consists of a five-link arrangement made of aluminium which can be further optimised with the inclusion of Adaptive Air Suspension.

The BMW 7 Series comes as standard with Dynamic Stability Control + featuring additional functions such as Hill-Start Assistant, Brake Drying, Brake Pre-tensioning, Soft-stop and Brake Fade Compensation. Dynamic Traction Control can be activated via a button to enable spirited driving or greater traction of slippery surfaces such as snow and ice.

A new interior

In addition to a new iDrive controller and larger 10.2-inch screen, owners will be able to programme frequently selected radio stations or navigation destinations on favourite buttons located on the centre console. For the first time on a BMW the instrument cluster comprises a high-resolution colour display with Black Panel technology. This new style of display makes for greater character clarity and, when not in use, forms a smooth, homogenous black surface that gives the interior an added level of modern elegance.

The 7 Series is the first BMW to enable a customer to upload their favourite music to be stored on the vehicle courtesy of an 8Gb hard drive that can save over 100 albums. Four-zone automatic air-conditioning is fitted as standard while, for the first time, the 7 Series can have a rear seat ventilation system combined with massage function. The air-conditioning system feeds cool air to the seat squab and backrest, while 12 massage bubbles knead the occupants' upper body.

The BMW 7 Series comes with BMW ConnectedDrive which features elements such as a dedicated call centre with a concierge service, automatic fault awareness and BMW Assist, the electronic safety net that automatically dials the emergency services in the event of an accident.