The car incorporated a wider and bigger kidney grille that went deeper into the front apron for a more aggressive appearance.

[10] The F01 was available with rear-wheel steering (Integral Active Steering), all-wheel drive (xDrive), eight speed automatic transmission, pedestrian recognition for the night vision feature, blind spot monitoring, massage function for the rear seats and the radar cruise control system was now able to completely stop the car and accelerate from a standstill (Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go).

[6][11][12] Side cameras were fitted in the front bumper to assist with merging and exiting narrow spaces.

[13] The instrument cluster has an LCD backdrop (with the gauge needles and rings still present as physical objects), allowing various graphics to be shown.

[15] Departures from the non-traditional interior design of the E65 include the transmission shifter being relocated to the centre console (previously a stalk on the steering column) and the seat controls being relocated to the outside edge of the seat base (previously located in the centre console).

Options included an intercom system between the passengers and the driver, an alarm, a fire extinguisher with temperature sensor, irritant gas sensors (to warn of dangerous gasses in the passenger area), a fresh-air supply system and a compartment for two machine guns in the centre console.

[30] The production version called the ActiveHybrid 7 uses the engine from the 750i plus an electric motor rated at 15 kW (20 hp) and 210 N⋅m (155 lb⋅ft) of torque.

BMW claims it improved fuel consumption and reduced emissions by 15% over the non-hybrid model.

[32][33] The wheelbase of the ActiveHybrid 7 is extended by 14 cm (5.5 in)[34] and the car weighs 100 kg (221 lb) more than a regular 750i.

[44] In the 2010–2012 B7, Alpina's variant of the N63 twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine rated at 373 kW (500 hp) and 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft), with the same fuel economy figures as the regular 750i.

[47] The transmission is a ZF 6HP26 6-speed automatic with heavy-duty gears, and the B7 includes a strengthened drive shaft, differential and rear axles.

The updated B7 was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August 2012 and went on-sale immediately thereafter.

The facelift models were unveiled at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance,[79] and shown at the 2012 Monaco Yacht Show.

[100] For the tenth anniversary of the Tate Modern, BMW provided Spanish artist Martí Anson with a 7 Series in which to chauffeur artists to the gallery,[101] with the car parked in the gallery's Turbine Hall during the exhibition.

[102] BMW Group Russia provided vehicles for opening night premieres for various plays at the Bolshoi Theatre from 2004.