2017 BMW 7 Series

Following last year's full redesign, the big news for the 2017 BMW 7 Series is the expected arrival of a new plug-in hybrid variant. Dubbed the 740e xDrive, this all-wheel-drive technology showcase will derive around 320 combined horsepower from its gas-electric power system, along with an all-electric driving range of over 20 miles. If you like the idea of owning a Tesla Model S but prefer to skip the range anxiety, this new 7 Series might be a viable alternative.

A stretched wheelbase comes standard on the 2017 BMW 7 Series, but the sleek styling does an admirable job of hiding it.

Of course, the specialized 740e and top-model M760i will only account for a small fraction of 7 Series sales. The main attractions continue to be the six-cylinder 740i and eight-cylinder 750i models, with both now providing optional AWD (the 740i came only with rear-wheel drive last year). Every current 7 Series has a long-wheelbase body style that boasts nearly 2 more inches between the wheels than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, breaking with the longstanding BMW tradition of offering both standard and long wheelbases. Other 7 Series highlights include a standard adaptive air suspension with an available camera-based predictive program (Active Comfort Drive with Road Preview) that monitors road conditions in real time, changing the damper profiles in milliseconds to ensure the ride remains as smooth as possible.

The primary rival in this rarefied segment is the dignified S-Class, which has hit its stride for the current generation with a veritable smorgasbord of powertrains and options. If you want to enjoy the drive to the fullest, the redesigned Porsche Panamera remains the top athlete of this group. For those who want to ride in unique style, the Jaguar XJ is an unusual but worthy choice, while the Audi A8 still merits consideration ahead of next year's redesign. But if you're looking for a technological tour de force with performance to match, the 2017 BMW 7 Series merits strong consideration.

The 2017 BMW 7 Series comes standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, front knee airbags and active front head restraints. Also standard is the BMW Assist emergency communications system, which includes automatic crash notification, an emergency response button, remote door unlock and stolen vehicle recovery. The available surround-view camera system includes a wide panoramic view, a top view and a 3D view that features a computer-generated landscape of the car and its surroundings.

A number of additional safety technologies are available via the two abovementioned Driver Assistance Plus packages. A night-vision camera system is a stand-alone option.

The 2017 BMW 7 Series is a full-size luxury sedan. It comes in a single long-wheelbase body style.

The base 740i comes standard with 18-inch wheels and run-flat tires, adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, automatic windshield wipers, LED foglights, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, auto-dimming, power-folding heated side mirrors, an adaptive air suspension, adjustable drive and suspension settings, front and rear parking sensors, power-closing doors, keyless entry and ignition (including a touchscreen-equipped Display Key and a hands-free power trunk lid), a power-adjustable steering wheel, wood trim, four-zone climate control, leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable heated front seats (with four-way power lumbar), driver memory settings and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

BMW reserves its finest materials for the 7 Series, including loads of high-end wood and leather trim.

Standard tech-oriented features include a digital gauge cluster display, the iDrive infotainment system with a touchpad-enhanced controller, a 10.2-inch central display, a rearview camera, a number of features from the BMW ConnectedDrive portfolio (BMW Online with MyInfo and BMW Apps), Gesture Control, onboard Internet with Wi-Fi hotspot capability, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless phone charging and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with a CD player, satellite radio, HD radio and dual USB ports.

Options include the Autobahn package (variable-ratio steering and the camera-based Active Comfort Drive with Road Preview system that anticipates changing road conditions and adjusts the dampers accordingly) and the Cold Weather package (heated steering wheel and heated front and rear seats). There's also a pair of safety packages, starting with the Driver Assistance Plus package (lane departure warning, speed limit info, automated parking, blind-spot monitoring, frontal collision mitigation with automatic braking and a surround-view camera with driver-selectable camera views) and graduating to the Driver Assistance Plus II package (adaptive cruise control, lane departure prevention and Traffic Jam Assistant).

The Executive package adds a head-up display, power rear sunshades, ceramic-trimmed controls and multicontour front seats with additional power adjustments. The Luxury Seating package adds heated armrests and ventilated massaging rear seats that slide and recline. The M Sport package introduces a number of sport-themed aesthetic upgrades, including an aerodynamic body kit and special wheels and trim.

Stand-alone options include some of the above items plus 20-inch wheels, summer tires, a cabin perfume diffuser, a wood and leather steering wheel, a large dual-pane sunroof with LED accents in a handful of selectable colors, a night-vision camera system and a 16-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound audio system.

The 750i includes a few additional standard luxuries relative to the 740i, while the 740e will have its own roster of hybrid-oriented features. The M760i offers all that, but with a twin-turbo V12 engine and standard all-wheel drive.

The 2017 BMW 740i is motivated by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine rated at 320 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The 2017 740e xDrive pairs a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor backed by a lithium-ion battery, with an expected total output of around 325 hp, while the 750i upgrades to a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine (445 hp, 480 lb-ft). At the top, the M760i is equipped with a monstrous turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 (601 hp, 590 lb-ft).

Rear-wheel drive is standard on the 740i and 750i, with xDrive all-wheel drive optional there and standard on the 740e and M760i. Every 7 Series employs an eight-speed automatic transmission.

In Edmunds track testing, a 750i launched from zero to 60 mph in a suitably swift 4.5 seconds. BMW estimates the M760i will reach 60 mph in a breathtaking 3.7 seconds