BMW's new 7-Series in detail

This is the new BMW 7-series, the fifth generation of the model that BMW hopes will dramatically revive the fortunes of its flagship executive saloon.

The new BMW 7-series will go on sale following its public debut at the Paris motor show in late September, with right-hand-drive UK sales set to kick off in November. It can't come quickly enough for BMW; sales of the current 7-series have fallen to record lows in recent months.

Developed completely from scratch, with record investment from BMW, the new 7-series is the beginning of a renewed push by BMW for technological superiority.

The biggest advance on the new model is the car's rear-wheel-steer system, called Integral Active Steering. BMW claims the technology gives the 7-series class-leading agility and unparalleled low-speed manoeuvrability.

It's the first production car to offer internet access on the move as part of BMW's ConnectedDrive system. It also has a night-vision system, like the S-class, but this one can distinguish between humans and objects and will sound an alarm if it thinks an accident is likely.

The big news, though particularly given the current focus on environmental compatibility, is the promise of a petrol/electric hybrid model using the two-mode system developed with General Motors and Daimler.

Although not part of the launch line-up, it will go on sale within the next 12 months, kicking off what BMW insiders say will become a large range of hybrids.

The new BMW 7-series' looks are bound to polarise opinion, especially as it is tipped to act as a design template for all upcoming BMW models. This car is distinctively edgier - incorporating flatter surfaces and tauter forms - than the one it replaces.

BMW has done away with the current car's distinctive double-hump dashboard top, using a design similar to the fascia on the 3-series and 5-series' instead. And the column gear selector has been replaced by a joystick-style shifter, mounted in the centre console.

It's lightly bigger than the current 7-series - 33mm longer at 5072mm - but the same width and 12mm lower. The wheelbase has also been extended by 83mm to 3073mm, reducing the overhangs and, in combination with wider tracks giving the new car a more confident stance. A long-wheelbase Li model will also be available, adding 140mm to the rear doors for improved access and added legroom.

At launch there will be three engine options. They include BMW's twin-turbocharged, 3.0-litre, six-cylinder petrol engine, with 326bhp and 332lb ft of torque in the 740i. It is joined by a reworked version of the 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel with 245bhp and 422lb ft in the 730d. This will be the best-selling 7-series in the UK, thanks to 39.2mpg and 192g/km of CO2.

Heading the initial line-up is the 750i, with the new twin-turbo, 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine from the X6. With 407bhp and 442lb ft, it packs 47bhp and 82lb ft more than the old 750i - sufficient, claims BMW, for 0-62mph in 5.2sec.