By Dan Trent
02 October 2008 18:35:20

Paris: BMW reveals new 7-Series and X1

If the last 7 Series set out to court controversy the all-new model seen here for the first time plays it much safer. That’s not to say BMW is resting on its laurels though – the new 7 sniffs blood in its ongoing fight with the sector leading S-Class.
BMW 7-Series (Image © BMW)
BMW 7-Series: click images to enlarge
Has it got what it takes to land a killer blow on the Mercedes flagship? Well, BMW is throwing all its technological might into making sure it does, combining traditional focus on driver pleasure with a new understanding of what luxury limo owners really want.
 
Adaptive damping and optional four-wheel steering give the big Beemer nimbleness you wouldn’t expect of a car this size while a plethora of cameras and sensors will keep you on the straight and narrow, with lane departure warning, blind spot sensing, night vision (with added pedestrian recognition) and side facing cameras.
 
BMW X1 Concept (Image © BMW)
BMW X1 concept
The engine range includes the all-new 242bhp 3-litre diesel engine launched in the newly revised 3 Series, which is also on show here in Paris. In addition the 7 gets the X6’s clever twin-turbo 401bhp V8 for the flagship 750i and stretched 750Li, a version of the 335i’s twin-turbo straight-six powering the 740i.
 
Looking further ahead there’s also a 7 Series Active Hybrid concept, while the X1 concept demonstrates BMW’s intention to condense the best bits of the X3 (it has some best bits?), X5, and X6 into a more compact, urban friendly package. It looks, essentially, like a slightly squashed and mildly reduced version of all threes.
Wondering why we’re not making a big fuss about it? Well, because BMW apparently isn’t, either. The X1 is shoved off to one side of the stand – hardly pride of place at all. This despite the company’s description of it as potentially the first every premium compact SUV. Expect plenty of EfficientDynamics technology on the production version – whenever it arrives.
BMW
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Paris Motor Show 2008 - your vote

  1. Which car unveiled at the Paris Motor Show 2008 do you most want to own?

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  1. Which car unveiled at the Paris Motor Show 2008 do you most want to own?
    1. New BMW 7-Series
      12%
    2. Chevrolet Cruze
      1%
    3. Ferrari California
      23%
    4. New Ford Ka
      4%
    5. Lamborghini Estoque
      36%
    6. Lexus IS 250 Cabriolet
      4%
    7. New Renault Megane
      2%
    8. New Toyota Avensis
      4%
    9. Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
      3%
    10. New VW Golf
      11%
28336 responses,