BMW is expected to launch its 7-series facelift next year in international markets with more hybrid engine options.
The BMW flagship is currently offered in international markets with just one hybrid variant, the 740e. The German manufacturer’s plan to introduce more hybrid variants has been influenced by ever-tightening global legislation, particularly China.
New Chinese legislation will require 8 percent of each car brand’s sales to be for ‘new energy vehicles’, which includes hybrids and electric vehicles, from 2019. Therefore, industry sources suggest that BMW will add another hybrid variant while making improvements to the existing 740e model in order to boost demand of the 7-series in what is the world’s biggest car market.
Fewer changes are expected in the autonomous driving department. BMW’s next major improvements in driverless systems won’t arrive until the iNext launches in 2021. Hence, the flagship sedan’s adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking and collision avoidance systems are expected to be improved rather than overhauled.
While BMW has not announced an official date for the facelifted 7-series’ debut, the model’s important to the Chinese market could mean a public debut at the 2018 Beijing motor show in April next year.
BMW currently sells the 730Ld, 740Li, 750Li and 760Li in India. The facelift is expected to arrive on our shores sometime in 2018, a few months after its global debut. The manufacturer is also planning to launch the 6-series GT in India after it debuts at the 2018 Auto Expo.
Also read: 2017 BMW 740Li review, test drive