BMW has released preliminary information and images of restyled 7 at this year's Paris show. The fifth-generation 7-series will come as the V-8-powered 750i and its long-wheelbase counterpart, the 750Li. As expected, the 750 models will get the 400-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 that first appeared in BMW's X6. The 7 will continue to use a six-speed automatic transmission. BMW's improved iDrive controller is located next to the gear selector, and with it comes a revised interface that is more intuitive than that on the outgoing. Menus are now displayed on a larger 10.2” higher-definition central display. GPS navigation software is now stored on a hard drive, which can also be used to store about 13 gigabytes of music. The 750s receive a new suspension, as well as the normal raft of 7-series technologies like roll stabilization, stability control, and traction control. New for 2009 is BMW's Integral Active Steering, which adds speed-sensitive rear-wheel steering and is included with the Sport package. Safety features include a lane departure warning, blind spot detection, a head-up display, automatic high beams, night vision (now with pedestrian detection), as well as side view and backup cameras. Side view cameras are mounted at the front corners and show the images in the control display when traveling at low speeds.
