The new BMW 7 Series is the brand's most luxurious and high-tech car to date and includes a huge screen that descends from the ceiling.

The new 7th generation BMW 7 Series has just been revealed and while it may look like a luxurious concept car, it is in actual fact a production car to go up against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Audi A8. Along with the gasoline and diesel-powered 7 Series, BMW has also revealed the fully-electric i7 variant – the first alternative flagship since the 7 Series was launched in 1977.

The new 7 Series debuts with a new design style – first seen on the recently refreshed X7 SUV – which is a blend of soft edges and sharp triangles. The new 7 features lots of new technologies, including a curved instrument cluster and infotainment display similar to that in the iX electric SUV. The interior also features touchscreens everywhere, which control various aspects of the car, including a huge display that descends from the ceiling.

The new 7 Series can be described as “tech magic at its best,” according to BMW's CEO, Oliver Zipse. So, here are 10 features that set the new BMW 7 Series apart from its main competition.

The exterior of the new 7 Series certainly is striking and a big departure from the previous generation. The new model is slightly longer, wider, and taller than the outgoing model and is more rounded-off on the corners. Despite this, it seems like BMW is taking a page out of older 7 Series designs regarding the overall shape – leaning towards a boxier shape rather than the fully rounded design of the Mercedes-Bens EQS or Audi A8.

The 7 Series and i7 models vary only slightly as both cars are built on the same platform. The i7 has a few subtle electric car trinkets such as bits of blue trim and slightly different bumpers. On the whole, it would take a second glance at the car to differentiate between the 7 Series and i7 – something which is easily done with the S-Class and EQS.

The interior of the new 7 Series is brand-new – yet has some elements which are evident in other BMW models. The curved instrument cluster and infotainment display is almost the same as on the iX SUV and i4 EV. The rest of the dashboard is a new design – more minimalist than the previous model – and features hidden air vents and crystal inlays.

The dash is available in a range of materials, including oak and ash wood, carbon fiber, and stainless steel. The seats are entirely bespoke for both 7s and are ventilated, heated, and almost infinitely adjustable as standard with many materials available – including soft Nappa leather and even Cashmere. The car is also fitted with a huge panoramic glass roof, which has individual strands of LED lights embedded to create rather fancy mood lighting.

Related: 10 Coolest Features Of The 2022 BMW iX

The interior is flooded with screens. At the front, there is the main infotainment system which has all the standard features such as satellite navigation, Apple Carplay, and Android Auto. A great decision on BMW’s behalf was to keep the climate controls as separate buttons, rather than fitting them somewhere in a menu.

In the back, BMW has done away with the center armrest tablet and added a touchscreen on each rear door to replace it. Now, each rear passenger can control their own climate and entertainment, as well as select new destinations for their chauffeur to drive to.

Related: These Are The Pros And Cons Of The Mercedes-Benz EQS

The new 7 Series and i7 can be optioned with a huge 31-inch 8K Theater Screen which descends from the ceiling. When Theater Mode is engaged, the privacy screens rise from the rear windows and the massive sunroof closes, all while the display extends itself downwards.

The screen has a built-in 5G internet connection and comes as standard with Amazon Fire TV – making streaming movies and series a breeze during long journeys. The screen is also capable of making video calls – handy for the businessman on the move. The sound quality should be exceptional as the screen is complemented by a 36-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo system.

All versions of the new 7 Series and i7 are fitted with adaptive self-leveling air suspension as standard. This system can lower by 0.4 of an inch when driving quickly or on the highway, or raise by 0.8 of an inch when maneuvering to not scrape the bumpers on the sidewalk.

The 7 is also offered with optional rear-wheel-steering for added stability and maneuverability. Pay even more and BMW will fit some extra electric motors to the suspension and anti-roll bars, resulting in active body control to keep the car level during aggressive cornering.

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All the tweaks to the suspension and the impeccable BMW chassis tuning result in the new 7 Series being significantly more athletic than the previous generation. This does not mean that the car is harsh on bumpy roads, but quite the contrary.

With both versions of the new 7 being built on the same platform, the i7 may actually be an electric car that is fun and engaging to drive. Perhaps this could be the turning point where electric cars become more than just one-trick ponies.

The first electric model to go on sale will be the i7 xDrive60, which is fitted with dual motors, resulting in a healthy 544 hp combined. As such, this version produces around 20 more horsepower than the equivalent Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 and does the 0-60 mph sprint in 4.7 seconds.

BMW has confirmed that there will be a more powerful version called the i7 M70. This model will have 660 hp and 738 lb.ft of torque, making it the most powerful BMW to date. The i7 M70 is expected to reach 60 mph in less than 4 seconds.

BMW will continue to offer its Individual service with the new 7 Series, with a range of new colors and features. While they haven’t quite revealed everything, some press photos show a two-tone M760e with a black and gray paint job.

These personalization options will most likely be available on any version of the 7 Series and i7, regardless of price point. The M-Package cars also feature blacked-out exterior accents, giving the car a more aggressive and imposing stance.

The 7 Series and i7 are available with a host of safety and driver assistance systems, including Level-3 autonomous driving. This system will allow the car to drive itself not only on major roads and highways but also on some minor roads as well.

BMW has said that owners in the US will even be able to autonomously drive their cars without touching the steering wheel – something current cars still force owners to do. This is a large leap forwards in terms of autonomous commuting.

Related: These Are The Various Levels Of Autonomous Driving In A Nutshell

BMW has stated that the new i7 will be available from the end of 2022, while the 7 Series will be on sale in the Spring of 2023. The i7 will start with the xDrive60 trim, starting at about $120,000. Consider the i7 M70 to be quite a bit more expensive when it is eventually revealed.

The 7 Series lineup in the US will start with the 6-cylinder 740i, priced from $94,000. This is considerably less than the equivalent 6-cylinder S-Class which starts from around $112,000. The V8 760i xDrive starts at $115,000, as opposed to the V8 S-Class which is almost $119,000. This being said, all pricing excludes options – that on large executive luxury sedans can easily reach atmospheric heights.

Michael De Kock is passionate about cars and everything from avocados to particle accelerators. He has studied psychology and knows a little bit about fixing cars (old Land Rovers mostly). He also blogs and has a book, 125 Creative Writing Prompts for Petrolheads, available on Amazon. His philosophy in life: Stop the hate - Adopt a V8.