The facelifted BMW 7 Series has been confirmed for South Africa, with the updated version of Munich’s flagship sedan scheduled to touch down in 2026’s final quarter…
- Refreshed 7 Series officially revealed
- Scheduled to arrive in SA in Q4 2026
- Cabin gains most significant updates
Meet the facelifted BMW 7 Series. Yes, the Munich-based brand has just revealed a refreshed version of its G70-series flagship sedan – and it’s already been confirmed for South Africa.
According to BMW Group Africa, the facelifted 7 Series – which will officially enter production at the firm’s Dingolfing factory in July 2026 – is scheduled to arrive in Mzansi at some point in the final quarter of 2026.
The German automaker claims the refreshed 7 Series represents “the most extensive model update ever carried out by the BMW Group”. It also says this model’s launch “marks the beginning of a technology rollout” from which “all future BMW cars will benefit”.
We’ll leave you to decide what to make of the latest exterior design language, which here includes yet another take on the brand’s kidney grille as well as what BMW describes as “minimalist crystal headlights” and redesigned taillamps (plus the option of 22-inch alloy wheels).
Still, it seems the cabin benefits from the most significant updates. Yes, the interior gains BMW’s latest panoramic iDrive display (at the base of the windscreen) as well as a new passenger screen. There’s also an upgraded “theatre screen” for rear-seat passengers, a revised ambient lighting set-up and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system (complete with Dolby Atmos support).
The interior furthermore gains fresh seat designs, new steering-wheel designs, updated automatic doors, a digital interior mirror and features such as a panoramic glass roof (with “Sky Lounge”) and 4-zone automatic climate control.
In terms of powertrains, BMW says it will continue to offer the 7 Series with “efficient combustion engines” with 48V mild-hybrid technology. There will also be a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric variant (the latter with a single-charge range of “over 720 km” on the WLTP cycle).
Falling in line with the German brand’s latest naming convention, the outgoing 740i has been renamed the “740” (that is, sans the “i”) and its turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-6 petrol engine updated to offer improved peak outputs of 294 kW and 580 Nm.
The 740d xDrive’s 3.0-litre inline-6 turbodiesel motor seemingly carries over unchanged (again with 210 kW and 650 Nm), while the M760e xDrive PHEV appears to upgrade from the outgoing version’s peak power output of 420 kW to a loftier 450 kW (with maximum torque remaining 800 Nm).
Finally, the local press material makes mention of the new i7 50 xDrive (335 kW/660 Nm) as the fully electric option in the refreshed 7 Series portfolio, with no reference to the i7 60 xDrive (400 kW/745 Nm) nor the i7 M70 xDrive (500 kW/1 015 Nm). More local info as we have it…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Facelifted BMW 7 Series
Q: What are the most significant changes in the facelifted BMW 7 Series?
A: BMW describes this “Life Cycle Impulse” (LCI) as the most extensive model update in its history. While the exterior design retains its imposing presence, the front end has been refined with narrower, taller kidney grilles featuring horizontal slats and new “minimalist” crystal-studded vertical headlights. Inside, the cabin has undergone a fundamental redesign, adopting BMW’s new “Neue Klasse” interior philosophy. This includes a massive panoramic iDrive display at the base of the windshield, the removal of the physical iDrive rotary controller and the addition of a dedicated passenger-side touchscreen.
Q: How have the powertrains been improved?
A: The 740 has been updated to produce 294 kW and 580 Nm, while the M760e xDrive plug-in hybrid now delivers 450 kW. The fully electric i7 has received a significant boost with a new battery pack developed in partnership with Rimac, featuring advanced cylindrical cells that extend its WLTP range to over 720 km. Charging capabilities have also been enhanced to support faster DC charging rates.
Q: When will the updated 7 Series arrive in South Africa?
A: The facelifted 7 Series, which enters production in July 2026, is officially confirmed for the South African market. Local customers can expect the updated flagship sedan to touch down in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2026.
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