BMW’s flagship sedan is about to get a dose of its own future. The seventh-generation 7-Series (internal code G70) is preparing for a mid-cycle update in 2026, and while the changes on the outside seem modest, what’s happening beneath the sheetmetal—and inside the cabin—could redefine Munich’s luxury benchmark.
Familiar Face, Fresh Tech
Spy shots suggest that BMW isn’t about to shock the world with a radical redesign. The polarizing split-headlight setup and the gaping kidney grille—love them or hate them—are staying. Designers are reportedly refining details around the bumpers and lights, but the basic face of the 7 remains unmistakably… large.
Inside, though, things are taking a turn for the futuristic. BMW is giving its flagship the full Neue Klasse treatment, debuting the brand’s latest iDrive X infotainment system paired with Panoramic Vision—a wide, pillar-to-pillar projection at the base of the windshield. The setup essentially replaces traditional gauges, extending across the entire dashboard and even letting passengers customize their own display area. Think of it as BMW’s version of a digital cockpit gone widescreen.
Inline-Six, Upgraded
The real story for enthusiasts, however, sits under the hood. BMW is reportedly upgrading its venerable B58 inline-six to the B58TÜ3 specification for the facelifted 740. That means a healthy bump to 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, up from 375 hp and 383 lb-ft in the current 740i. It’s not the wildest B58 tune we’ve seen—Toyota’s Supra A90 Final Edition still leads with 429 hp—but it’s enough to make the refreshed 7-Series a touch quicker and even smoother.
Interestingly, the naming convention is changing too. Gas models will drop the “i” from their badges, so expect to see “740” instead of “740i” on the trunk lid. The lineup will also include a 735 variant with 286 hp, using the same updated engine in a detuned state.
Electrified Expansion
BMW isn’t forgetting its electric ambitions. The facelift arrives with a full spread of i7 models, including the i7 50 xDrive, i7 60 xDrive, and the high-performance i7 M70 xDrive. Production kicks off in July 2026, followed by diesel and plug-in hybrid additions—740d xDrive, 750e xDrive, and the M760e xDrive—that November. One notable absence? The V8-powered 760, which insiders suggest may skip the U.S. market until 2027, if it makes it at all.
ALPINA’s Touch of Elegance
As always, ALPINA will get its hands on the luxury flagship. The Buchloe-based tuner is planning three versions of the updated model—740 xDrive, 760 xDrive, and i7 70 xDrive—each dressed with the brand’s trademark elegance and subtle aggression. Expect signature multi-spoke wheels, exclusive interior details, and torque-rich performance that blurs the line between serenity and speed.
Looking Ahead
If the rumors hold true, the 2026 facelift will give the 7-Series more than a fresh face—it’ll serve as a bridge between BMW’s combustion-powered past and its Neue Klasse future. The styling may not shock, but the tech and hardware underneath promise to push the brand’s luxury flagship deeper into tomorrow.
Source: BMW