ALL versions of BMW's new flagship 7 Series saloon will have plug-in technology as the Bavarian car maker sets out to exploit electrification to the full.

To be launched later this year with the all-electric i7 xDrive60, plug-in hybrid models will follow in 2023.

The i7 xDrive 60 will be priced from £107,400 while prices for the 750e xDrive and M760e xDrive plug-ins will be announced later.

The M Performance model will deliver 571hp and combines the performance of a BMW M model with efficiency-enhancing plug-in hybrid technology.

The flagship of the new range - the i7 M70 xDrive - is due for release later next year.

Available only in long-wheelbase format in either M Sport or Excellence specification, the new 7 Series comes with several groundbreaking features including BMW's 31.3-inch Theatre Screen, the latest iDrive technology plus the new BMW Curved Display and BMW Interaction Bar.

As with the recently announced X7 luxury SUV, the new 7 Series will also have an illuminated front grille giving it a stand out appearance on the road.

The new BMW 7 Series is 130mm longer than the current model at 5,391mm with other dimensions increased by 48mm in width to 1,950mm and by 51mm in height to 1,544mm. The wheelbase is now 5mm longer at 3,215mm.

The increased dimensions give more leg room in the rear while headroom is bigger throughout the car.

Boot space is 525 litres on the plug-in hybrid models - an increase of 105 litres - while the i7 EV has 500 litres of cargo room.

For the first time on the 7 Series BMW is fitting the car with the option of automatic opening on the front and rear doors while the Theatre Screen entertainment system - another extra - has Amazon Fire TV built-in.

The set up includes a 31.3-inch 8K touchscreen display with Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system with optional in-seat exciters and built-in touch screen remotes in the door panels as well as an automated rear shade system that closes when the system is turned on.

It lets passengers watch content up to 4K/UHD from popular apps, stream videos, play games, listen to music, get information, and watch downloaded programs - all on the road.

Other innovations include the Curved Display cockpit which consists of a 12.3-inch display panel behind the steering wheel flowing into a central 14.9-inch central screen beneath a shared glass surface.

The BMW Interaction Bar makes its debut on the 7 Series and controls the heating and ventilation system as well as other functions in a strip which runs the width of the facia and into the door cappings.

The i7 all-electric launch model has a range of up to 388 miles with recharging from a fast charger allowing more than 100 miles to be added in less than 10 minutes.

With two motors driving all wheels, the rear has a peak output of 313hp while the front produces 258hp. Together they give a combined power output of 544hp resulting in a 0 to 62mph acceleration time of 4.7seconds and a maximum of 149mph.

The plug-in hybrid 750e and M760e both have EV ranges of up to 50 miles with emissions as low as 22 and 25g/km respectively and theoretical fuel economy of up to 282.5mpg.

Other new features standard across the range are a redesign for the steering wheel and centre console controls while all models come with a panoramic sunroof.

Self-driving technology is also standard and includes lane change warning with automatic lane return as well as adaptive cruise control.

And on the safety and security front a new in-car camera system can monitor the interior even while the vehicle is unoccupied, sending smartphone alerts if suspicious activity is detected.

The new 7 Series is being built at BMW's factory at Dingolfing in Germany which itself is undergoing a ‘green' revolution to reduce waste from production which will include a switch to making cast aluminium wheels for the new model manufactured entirely using green electricity.