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At the back there are other changes such as tapering of the bootlid edges, and the continuous red strip which used to run along the bootlid to connect the two rear light clusters has gone, replaced by a chrome strip.

Inside the car, I struggled to find any real differences but apparently the steering wheel has been reshaped and several of the control knobs now have a chrome surround, while the iDrive controller, which first appeared in the 7 and has been scaled down for other models in the range, now has a leather insert.

The new car comes with five engine variants for the moment, with four petrol and one diesel - the 730d - which so far has accounted for more than half the sales. In the latest version, the straight-six engine has been completely rebuilt and the crankcase is now machined out of aluminium to reduce engine weight by 20kg. The induction process has also been refined with the fuel-air mix now being fed to the combustion chamber via piezo crystal injectors working in conjunction with a new generation of turbochargers.

The crystals are being used for the first time in a BMW and give greater control over the induction process in a common-rail diesel than the old electric magnets they replace. The end result is greater power for less fuel, cleaner exhaust emissions and a reduction in engine noise. Output is increased by 6% to 231bhp to give a 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 149mph. There are also improved tax benefits for the business user with a CO2 emissions figure of 216g/km.

On the petrol front too, there are significant changes, starting with the 730i which now has the world's lightest volume production six-cylinder petrol engine. It's already been seen in the 330i, 530i and the 630i and is 10kg lighter than the outgoing engine.

As with the 740i and 750i, there's improved performance and increased economy. This car may be big, but it still follows the BMW principle of driving pleasure. Unlike competitors in this luxury segment of the market which tend to concentrate on a soft, smooth ride from cushioned air suspension, the 7 can still be driven enthusiastically thanks to superb suspension, built largely from aluminium which again means big savings in weight.

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