BMW 7 Series and i7 Facelift Land in India September 11 — the Big Change Is Inside
Image: FlamingPiston
Why It Matters
the exterior update is mild. The cabin is where BMW spent the money — Panoramic iDrive, a 17.9-inch central screen and a 14.6-inch passenger display. India-specific variants and prices have not been announced, and bookings have been open since August 1.
BMW launches the facelifted 7 Series and its electric twin, the i7, in India on September 11. The pair made their global debut at Auto China in April, and BMW India opened pre-bookings on August 1 — more than a month ahead of a launch where the prices still are not public.
That sequencing tells you who this car is for. Nobody books a ₹1.8 crore sedan on spec sheets alone.
Outside: Restraint, Finally
The 2022 7 Series split opinion harder than any modern BMW flagship. The facelift walks some of that back rather than doubling down.
The illuminated kidney grille is larger again, but the slats switch from vertical to horizontal — a small change that meaningfully calms the front end. The DRL signature is now split into two elements, and the LED headlamps become square units mounted vertically toward the outer edges. New alloy designs and slimmer tail-lamps round it out.
It is a considered update rather than a reinvention, and it borrows visual cues from BMW’s Neue Klasse direction without committing to it wholesale.
Inside: The Actual News
Both cars get BMW’s new Panoramic iDrive layout. The headline hardware is a 17.9-inch central touchscreen paired with a 14.6-inch display in front of the passenger, projecting information across the base of the windscreen rather than concentrating it in a single binnacle.
This is the substantive change, and it is the reason the facelift is worth paying attention to at all. Everything else is trim.
Powertrains: Updated, but Not Confirmed for India
BMW India currently sells the 740i petrol and 740d diesel, alongside the i7 in eDrive 50 and M70 xDrive form. Which of those return with the facelift has not been stated.
Internationally, the updated straight-sixes carry more power. The 740i moves to 400hp and 580Nm, an increase of 19hp and 60Nm. The 740d rises to 313hp and 670Nm, up 27hp and 20Nm. Both retain 48V mild-hybrid assistance, eight-speed automatics and xDrive.
| Global spec | Output | Change vs before |
|---|---|---|
| 740i petrol | 400hp / 580Nm | +19hp / +60Nm |
| 740d diesel | 313hp / 670Nm | +27hp / +20Nm |
| i7 M70 xDrive | 671bhp | Range-topping electric |
The i7 uses a 112.5kWh battery. Published range figures vary considerably between sources — one set of reporting puts the 50 xDrive and 60 xDrive at 728km and 727km with the M70 xDrive at up to 686km, while another quotes 563km for the 60 xDrive alongside 250kW DC charging. Those are not reconcilable, and neither has been confirmed for India, where a homologated ARAI or MIDC figure will differ from both regardless. We would not quote a range number for this car until BMW India publishes one.
What It Will Cost
Unannounced. Industry estimates cluster around ₹1.80 crore for the 7 Series and ₹2.10 crore for the i7, but these are projections, not guidance from BMW. The outgoing 740d M Sport launched at ₹1.81 crore, which makes the estimate directionally sensible without making it a fact.
The Segment It Walks Into
The 7 Series arrives weeks after the 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class landed in India as the nameplate’s first plug-in hybrid, at ₹2.20 crore. That is the fight, and it is a genuinely interesting one this cycle: Mercedes has gone after electrification within a combustion flagship, BMW has kept the powertrains separate and gone after the screen.
The Audi A8 completes the traditional German trio. For how these flagships stack up against each other and against the Korean challenger, see our BMW 7 Series vs Mercedes S-Class vs Genesis G90 comparison.
Flaming Piston's Take
if you are cross-shopping, the September 11 announcement to actually wait for is the variant list, not the styling. BMW’s India flagship lineup has been narrow for years, and whether the diesel survives — in a segment where chauffeur-driven kilometres still favour it — will say more about the car’s prospects here than the grille slats.
Frequently asked questions
When do the BMW 7 Series and i7 facelift launch in India?
BMW launches both in India on September 11, 2026. Pre-bookings opened on August 1, 2026.
How much will the facelifted BMW 7 Series cost in India?
BMW has not announced prices. Industry estimates place the 7 Series near ₹1.80 crore and the i7 near ₹2.10 crore ex-showroom, but these are projections rather than official figures.
What is new inside the facelifted 7 Series?
Both cars receive BMW’s Panoramic iDrive system, built around a 17.9-inch central touchscreen and a 14.6-inch front passenger display. This is the most significant change in the update.
What is the BMW i7 facelift’s battery and range?
The i7 uses a 112.5kWh battery. Published range figures differ substantially between sources and none have been confirmed for India, so an India-specific figure should be awaited from BMW.
Sources: Autocar India; autoX; Team-BHP; CarDekho; RushLane; BMW India booking announcements.
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