New 7 Series improves all over

From better fuel efficiency to more luxury accoutrements, BMW does more than one-up its flagship.

By virtue of its price alone, the 7 Series can never be all things to all people. But BMW engineers and designers believe they have succeeded in combining qualities and features in a way that will appeal strongly to both the sporty and luxury ideals of customers who can afford the fifth-generation high-tech sedan.

“The 7 Series has always been a technology pioneer,” said the car's Chief Engineer, Johan Kistler, who had registered about 10,000 mi behind the wheel of various prototypes when he spoke at a recent media event for the totally redesigned 2009 model. “It is sporty and powerful, but it is also possible to drive it in a comfortable way.”