BMW has started accepting bookings for the updated 7 Series and i7 in India, just a little over three months after their international debut. Bookings can be made at dealerships, and customers can also register their interest on the BMW India website. The flagship luxury sedan's mid-lifecycle update comes with a couple of exterior and interior design tweaks, along with powertrain upgrades.
2026 BMW 7 Series exterior highlights
The updated BMW 7 Series gets a cleaner-looking front design than before. The biggest change is the new illuminated kidney grille. The headlights have also been redesigned with a split arrangement. The slim upper section houses the daytime running lights, while the smaller lower lighting unit is tucked away near the air curtains.
From the side, the 7 Series continues with its clean and elegant design. It retains flush-fitting door handles that blend neatly into the bodywork. BMW has also introduced a new alloy wheel design with the facelift. Another interesting detail is the embossed '7' on the B-pillar, which becomes visible when both doors on the same side are opened.
At the rear, the new tail-lamps are are slimmer than before and they extend further into the tailgate. The lamps also feature chrome detailing inside and smoked glass. As at the front, several functional elements, including the boot release, rear camera and washer nozzle, have been neatly hidden. The rear bumper has also been revised with a diffuser-style insert to give it a more modern appearance.
2026 BMW 7 Series interior features
The updated BMW 7 Series gets a completely redesigned dashboard. It features a 17.9-inch central touchscreen, a 14.6-inch display for the front passenger, and replaces the conventional driver's display with a full-width projection at the base of the windscreen. The infotainment system runs the latest BMW Operating System X and supports over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with improved voice controls. BMW has also introduced a new four-spoke steering wheel inspired by its classic models.
The 7 Series comes standard with a Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System featuring up to 18 speakers. BMW has also redesigned the cabin lighting with a full-width ambient light strip across the dashboard, illuminated rear speaker grilles, lighting elements behind the front seats and additional reading lights for rear passengers.
As standard, the seats come with electric adjustment, heating, ventilation, massage, lumbar support and heated armrests. The front passenger seat can also slide fully forward to create additional legroom for the passenger seated behind.
Rear-seat entertainment has also been upgraded. The Theatre Screen, optional in international markets, is now a 31.3-inch 8K touchscreen that supports video calls, streaming and gaming. The displays integrated into the rear doors have also been updated, allowing passengers to reposition the Theatre Screen, adjust its viewing angle and control other cabin functions. BMW has also revised the automatic doors with better-positioned open and close buttons.
2026 BMW 7 Series powertrains
The 740i xDrive petrol and 740d xDrive diesel continue with 3-litre inline-six mild-hybrid engines, an 8-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive. However, both engines now produce more outputs than before. The 740i develops 400hp and 580Nm, up by 19hp and 60Nm, while the 740d now makes 313hp and 670Nm, an increase of 27hp and 20Nm over the outgoing model. It remains to be seen whether BMW will introduce the plug-in hybrid version of the 7 Series in India, especially since its key rival, the new Mercedes S-Class, is offered with one.
The all-electric BMW i7 also gets a few updates. The entry-level i7 50 eDrive trim has been replaced by the i7 50 xDrive, which now comes with all-wheel drive. It also gets a larger 112.4kWh battery, replacing the earlier 101.7kWh unit. Power has gone up slightly to 455hp, while torque increases by 10Nm to 660Nm. The range-topping i7 M70 xDrive gets the larger battery as well. Its power output rises from 650hp to 680hp, while torque increases from 1,015Nm to up to 1,100Nm.
2026 BMW 7 Series price expectations
The current BMW 7 Series is priced at Rs 1.85 crore, ex-showroom, for both the petrol and diesel variants, while the all-electric i7 is priced between Rs 2.1 crore and Rs 2.58 crore. Given the updates, BMW is expected to increase the prices of both models slightly. The Mercedes S-Class, for reference, is currently priced between Rs 2.20 crore and Rs 2.38 crore.
International-spec BMW 7 Series shown for representation only.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
