The BMW 7 Series is BMW’s flagship luxury sedan and the long-running rival to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The first 7 Series, the E23, appeared in 1977. Over seven generations the 7 Series introduced a German postwar V12, satellite navigation in a European car, the controversial iDrive controller and, in today’s G70, an electric i7 version with a 31-inch “Theatre Screen” for rear passengers.

At a glance

Generation Years Highlights
E23 1977–1986 First 7 Series; early digital check-control
E32 1986–1994 750i V12 (1987); long-wheelbase “L” models
E38 1994–2001 Navigation (1994), elegant design
E65/E66 2001–2008 iDrive; controversial Bangle-era styling
F01/F02 2008–2015 ActiveHybrid 7; refined luxury
G11/G12 2015–2022 Carbon Core body, gesture control, Executive Lounge
G70 2022–today i7 electric, 31-inch Theatre Screen, automatic doors

E23 and E32: establishing the flagship

The E23 replaced BMW’s large “New Six” sedans and brought features like an on-board computer and check-control warnings. The E32 of 1986 was a sleek, modern design, and in 1987 the 750i introduced a 5.0-litre V12 — Germany’s first postwar V12 production car — prompting German manufacturers to agree on a voluntary 250 km/h (155 mph) speed limiter for their fastest cars.

E38: the classic

Many enthusiasts consider the E38 (1994–2001) the most elegant 7 Series. It was among the first European cars with satellite navigation, and it starred as the hero car in the film The Transporter. Read the BMW E38.

E65: iDrive and controversy

The E65 of 2001 introduced iDrive, a single rotary controller for most functions, and bold styling under design chief Chris Bangle. Both were controversial at first, but rotary controllers became standard across the luxury industry.

F01 and G11: refinement and technology

The F01 brought refinement and an early hybrid. The G11/G12 used a Carbon Core passenger cell with carbon-fiber reinforcement to save weight, introduced gesture control and laser headlights, and offered the Executive Lounge rear seat with a footrest that folds out from the front passenger seat.

G70: the current generation

The current 7 Series, launched in 2022, has a bold split-headlight face, automatic doors that open and close at the touch of a button, and an optional 31-inch 8K “Theatre Screen” that folds down from the roof for rear passengers. It is offered with gasoline, plug-in hybrid and fully electric (i7) powertrains — one of the first luxury flagships to offer all three on one platform. Read the BMW i7.

7 Series vs S-Class

The two have traded blows for nearly 50 years: BMW traditionally emphasizing driving dynamics, Mercedes rear-seat comfort. The gap has narrowed, and today’s 7 Series is extremely comfortable in the back. Read S-Class vs BMW 7 Series.