BMW 7-series facelifted

There are some minor tweaks in the 7-series cabin, the notable additions being a new information display for the driver and monitors for the rear passengers to play around with in the long wheelbase version.

Hope that six-speed automatic tranny is history ...

Oh you bet. Despite its flagship status, the 7-series is one of the last BMW model lines to get an eight-speed automatic standard across the range.

The new transmission helps boost fuel efficiency for the existing motors by around 25%.

And speaking of economy, there are two new choices in the 7-series engine range including a 354hp 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol-electric hybrid for the ActiveHybrid 7 along with a 381hp 3.0-litre tri-turbo diesel for the 750d. Since the all-wheel-drive 750d is tailored only in left-hand-drive _like the all-wheel-drive M550d _ its sales prospect here is nil.

However, the AH 7 has the chance of coming to Thai shores due to the 10% excise rate for hybrid-powered cars. In fact, the AH 7's hybrid is the one shared with the AH 5, just launched in Thailand, and replaces the old 4.4-litre V8 petrol-electric combination.

At less than 10 million baht (and cheaper than the Lexus LS600h), the AH 7 is an ideal alternative to the 740i, 750i, and 760i, thanks to 14.7kpl economy and 5.7sec acceleration time.

Has the 7-series got downsized four-pot engines?

Nope, unlike what has happened in the 5-series in Thailand. Sure, potential badges like the 725d and 728i with 218hp 2.0-litre diesel and petrol engines is possible in theory.

A board member of BMW AG once told Life: "If the market can accept a 7-series with four cylinders, we can easily do it."

But for the time being, the 7-series aren't getting them yet (read about the new engines rated in the 5-series in Life next Monday).

This means that Thais will still be getting the same 219hp 3.0-litre inline-sixes of the 730d and 730i (specially tuned for the Thai market) when the updated 7-series arrives later this year.

Have we got the Mercedes S250 CDI yet?

Not yet, although Mercedes-Benz has already moved down to four-pot power for its diesel-powered S-class in Germany.

A significant advantage of small engines in Thailand is tax. An S300 is subject to 40%, while the S250 can do with just 30%. A 10% tax saving could translate into a million baht deduction for 7 million baht luxury saloons.

Via: bangkokpost