BMW adds plug-in hybrid to 2020 7-series lineup

BMW's 7 series premium sedan is receiving design, powertrain and technology updates for the new year.

Turbocharged six-, eight- and 12-cylinder engines will be joined by a new six-cylinder plug-in hybrid variant when production of the 2020 BMW 7 series begins in March. Pricing was undisclosed.

The latest edition of the 7 series receives a face-lift that resembles the new X7.

The surfacing at the front of the car is 2 inches taller at its highest point. The redesigned hood, meanwhile, extends to the top of the BMW kidney grille. The lower front bumper air intakes are overlaid with large air deflectors.

The rear of the vehicle gets tweaks, too. The LED taillights are 1.4 inches slimmer than those of the current generation and are connected by a narrow light strip extending the width of the vehicle.

"BMW's selling point has always been providing cars where the drivers preferred to be driving a performance car, but had needs like hauling clients around," said Sam Fiorani, vice president at AutoForecast Solutions.

The large luxury sedan segment shrank 6 percent in 2018, with 86,339 vehicles sold, according to the Automotive News Data Center.

U.S. sales of the 7 series last year tumbled 11 percent from 2017 to 8,271. The 7 series lagged a key competitor, the Mercedes-Benz S class, which posted sales of 14,978 in 2018.

At the top of the 7 series' engine lineup is the 12-cylinder powering the new M760i xDrive. It delivers 600 hp, propelling the car from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.

The eight-cylinder unit in the new 750i xDrive sedan has been updated to deliver 523 hp -- 80 hp more than the engine it replaces. The 750i xDrive can do 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.The 740i and 740i xDrive variants have inline-six engines that generate 335 hp.

The plug-in hybrid 745e xDrive integrates an inline-six engine and an electric motor, delivering more boost and longer driving range, BMW said. The plug-in hybrid can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph 4.9 seconds. The all-electric driving range was undisclosed.

The 2020 7 series comes with a suite of sensors and technologies.

The optional Driving Assistant Professional package includes a semi-autonomous driving system that allows for hands-free and pedal-free driving on limited-access highways and at speeds slower than 37 mph.

The system, which debuted last year in the redesigned X5, uses an in-cabin camera to address a critical challenge with semi-autonomous driving systems -- ensuring that drivers are paying attention to the road. The camera mounted in the instrument cluster checks to see that the driver's eyes are open and facing the road. The camera doesn't record in-cabin activity.

The 7 series also features BMW's new Intelligent Personal Assistant, an artificial intelligence-powered system to help drivers communicate with their cars as they do with their smartphones.