BMW has launched its flagship model the new 7 Series, which offers the latest in automotive innovation and technology development besides the first 'driver assistance' technologies, in the Middle East.

The fifth generation model continues to remain at the forefront of the luxury segment and is a major contributor to the brand’s growth and success, said a company statement.

The new model offers a host of industry-first driver assistance technologies that bring unmatched driver engagement, handling and safety features to the luxury performance segment, it added.

With dynamic driving control, the first system of its kind that allows the driver to vary the set up of the 7 Series by selecting one of five settings – comfort, normal, sport, sport+ and traction - changing the suspension set-up from a comfort orientated feel to a more sporty and dynamic drive experience.

To optimise steering behaviour in all driving situations the Integral Active Steering function controls the steering angle of both the front and rear wheels, the statement added.

At low speed the rear wheels are turned in opposite directions of the front wheels, significantly enhancing the agility of the car and making the turning circle smaller.

At higher speeds the Integral Active Steering turns the rear wheels in the same direction as the front, increasing the vehicle’s stability, maneuverability and comfort.

The new iDrive control system has been completely redesigned making it easier to access information, entertainment and comfort features.

These include a high-resolution Control Display with standardised menu guidance that grants easy access to the radio, CD, satellite navigation and telecommunication functions.

Innovative information and active safety features have been enhanced and the BMW 7 Series is the first saloon in its segment to offer a Head-Up Display.

This feature projects driving information such as speed, navigation, direction and alerts onto the windscreen. The virtual image appears in front of the car so that the driver’s attention stays on the road, the statement said.

BMW is also the first manufacturer to offer a Night Vision system that is capable of identifying and detecting individual people.

The thermal imaging technology detects humans in the dark at distances of up to 100 meters, then analyses the visual data and alerts the driver to potential pedestrian danger, the statement added.

BMW has also introduced Land Departure Warning and Lane Change Warning systems to the new 7 Series. The Lane Departure Warning system alerts the driver before the vehicle drifts over the marked edge of the lane.

Using a camera integrated in the rear-view mirror, the system recognizes whether the vehicle is threatening to stray outside the lane and the driver is alerted by a vibration of the steering wheel, it said.

Lane Change Warning helps the driver overtake safely by monitoring traffic conditions in adjacent lanes with radar sensors, covering an area extending from the blind angle directly next to the car and up to a distance of 60 metres behind.

The new BMW 7 Series represents some of the most significant technology developments. Combined, these features not only contribute to a more dynamic driving experience, but also increased safety for the driver and other road users, the statement added.-TradeArabia News Service