While BMW isn't quite ready to reveal the all new 7 series, the automaker is eager to show off several of the sedan's features — and driverless parking headlines the listing.
The 7 series' development highlights include a lightweight frame based on BMW's EfficientLightweight strategy, the latest generation of BMW engines, new chassis tech, touch display, gesture control, driver assistance systems and driverless parking.
The tech world has known about BMW's plans to roll out driverless parking for a while now, but it isn't clear how close the 7 series' automated parking will come to realizing the the company's fully automated Remote Valet Parking Assistant.
This Remote Valet Parking Assistant was impressive. In the a video announcement, BMW spokesman Chris Brow stands outside of a garage and beckons a 7 Series car outside.
"Pull in and out — the car does it all for you," says Brow. "There's no need to sit inside of the vehicle anymore."
It's not the same as calling a third-story car down to the ground level of a parking lot to pick up a driver, but BMW may be veiling the full capabilities of 7 Series' driverless parking. The company says 7 Series cars will be able to "maneuver in or out of parking spaces or garages without anyone at the wheel," though it appears to be referencing residential garages.
Along with driverless parking, the 7 Series will include improvements to BMW's Driving Assistant Plus and Driving Assistant systems such as lane departure warning and steering assist.
Elsewhere along the list of development highlights, BMW's gesture control and touch ambitions are realized. The iDrive monitor will be touch sensitive, for the first time, rolling out at the same time BMW leaps ahead with gesture controls.
"Hand movements detected by a 3D sensor control infotainment functions in an extremely intuitive and user-friendly fashion," says BMW. "The gestures can be used for a number of functions, including controlling the volume in audio applications and accepting or rejecting incoming telephone calls."
iDrive will also support custom gestures, enabling users to chain together hand movements to initiate specific features.
Sitting beneath all of that new tech are a refined chassis and chassis control systems. Some of the new tech comes standard, while buyers can select from various combos of chassis and chassis control systems to receive tailored handling and ride comfort.
The cars will also be lighter, using advancements in BMW's EfficientLightweight strategy to shave off about 264.6 pounds.
Cars in BMW's 7 Series will be driven forward by a powertrain pair of an eight-speed Steptronic transmission and a six-cylinder in-line engine. The new generation engine will include BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.
