Under the changes, the 7 Series gains a newly developed straight six-cylinder diesel engine in the BMW 750d xDrive and BMW 750Ld xDrive. The 3.0-litre unit features TwinPower Turbo technology with a peak output of 400 hp and a maximum torque of 760Nm, making it the most powerful diesel engine ever used in a BMW model.

As a result, the BMW 750d xDrive accelerates from 0 to 10kph in 4.6 seconds (BMW 750Ld xDrive: 4.7 seconds). Combined fuel consumption of the BMW 750d xDrive and the BMW 750Ld xDrive is between 5.9 and 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions are between 154 and 149g/km.

In addition, the 7 Series gains iPerformance models in the form of the 740e  featuring a standard wheelbase, the 740Le with a long wheelbase and the BMW 740Le xDrive with intelligent four-wheel drive.

Together, the combustion engine and electric motor featured in these models generate a system output of 326hp while offering an electric-only range of up to 44 to 48 kilometres (BMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance: 41 – 45 kilometres). 0 to 100kph times range from 5.3 seconds to 5.5 seconds.

Average combined fuel consumption per 100 kilometres is between 2.2 and 2.0 litres, or 2.5 and 2.1 litre for the 740Le xDrive iPerformance. CO2 emissions are between 45 and 56g/km.

The new launches also include 2.0-litre petrol engines for the 1 Series and 2 Series models.

The units are available in 20i, 25i and 30i guises, and bring 7hp more than the units they replace, offering 184hp, 224hp and 252hp respectively.

The 2.0-litre engines employ BMW TwinPower Turbo technology incorporating a Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct fuel injection and VALVETRONIC and Double VANOS valve control.

Acceleration times with the new engines are trimmed and fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions also fall in many models, in some cases by up to 17g/km.

BMW is also adding the iDrive interface and enhanced connectivity services from the 7 Series and 6 Series to the 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, X5 and X6 ranges.

Other changes include new six-cylinder M140i and M240i models to replace the M135i and M235i.