Official: 2009 BMW 7-Series

[Plex]

On Thursday we got a sneak peek at the 2009 BMW 7-Series thanks to an online photo leak. The early release of low-resolution photos prompted BMW to officially unveil the new luxury sedan today, a few days ahead of schedule. As previously noted, the car will be on display at the British Motor Show later this month.



The new 750i is powered by BMW�s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, which first appeared under the hood of the new X6. The more powerful 760i is motivated by the familiar 6.0-liter V12. To differentiate the two models, the V8 car will sport two square tail pipes whereas the V12 car will use four square outlets.



All models are equipped with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The new transmission will also see the shifter moved from the steering column back to the center console.

Despite having two more gears than the current 7-Series, the new gearbox doesn�t take up any more space than the six-speed and is smoother and more efficient. The extra gears should also help the 7-Series see a six percent bump in fuel economy. The new transmission is also said to be very versatile, meaning it will probably spread to other BMW models, too.





Four-wheel steering will be included on the 7-Series option list, with an all-wheel drive option slated to be offered in a few years.

A new night vision system promises to increase safety for pedestrians. The new system will be able to detect human presence in front of the vehicle and then flash a warning symbol on the display. Moreover, the system will be able to tell if a pedestrian is in the road or safely on the sidewalk, although the it�s not clear how the system can differentiate the two.



The new system is so advanced, it�s also able to read speed limit signs and warn drivers when they are driving too fast. However, this feature will only be available in Europe for the time being.

The big BMW will also be keeping an eye on your speed during inclement weather. The camera can detect fog or rain, and will warn drivers when they are approaching an unsafe speed. Despite the warning, the system has no control over the speed of the vehicle so lead foots need not worry.

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