BMW 7 Series updates bring higher tech

BMW has shared details of its new 7 Series ultra-luxury sedan ahead of its August unveiling. Following tradition, the flagship sedan promises to be a technology tour de force, with notable improvements promised with vehicle dynamics. So far, only camouflaged images give an idea what the car will look like.

Perhaps the most cutting-edge technology coming in the new 7 Series is the gesture control function as part of the new iDrive infotainment and climate control systems. Drivers can wave, swipe, or pinch in the air in front of the screen to choose a function or song, or to adjust the fan speed in the climate control, among other things. The climate control system uses a separate touch screen, while iDrive retains its controller knob.

New active steering will give the 7 Series the ability to drive itself into and out of parking spaces. Controlled from the car's key remote, the system can even negotiate spaces so tight that you couldn't get out of the car if you parked it yourself. The 7 Series will be the second car after the Tesla Model S to get this remote self-parking ability.  

BMW explains that the active steering combines with active stabilizers in the standard air suspension to aid handling precision—hopefully restoring some of the agility we found lacking in the outgoing sedan. For more customized tuning, there are several drive modes that vary the responsiveness of steering, suspension, and transmission settings, or drivers can customize their own settings.

The next 7 will continue to have lane-keeping assistance, likely with vibrating feedback through the steering wheel. Active steering will now also be available with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

What may benefit handling the most is a chassis that has shed 287 pounds by using carbon fiber in the suspension mounts, roof supports, door pillars, and center tunnel. The company is expanding the use of its carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) technology developed for the i3 and i8.

Under the hood, the standard engine will be the new twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine that BMW announced will first appear in the updated 2016 3 Series, where it produces 320 horsepower. The updated eight-speed automatic transmission also gets a wider ratio spread for better fuel economy.

Most of these changes point in the right direction, toward restoring some of the driving enthusiasm to the original sporty luxury car. We're eager to try the gesture controls to see whether they reduce driving distraction or add to it.

We'll find out how the 7 measures up, after it goes on sale in the fall.

—Eric Evarts