2016 BMW 7 Series: Technology Preview

BMW has high hopes that its all-new tech-laden 7 Series will be able to steal market share away from the dominant Mercedes-Benz S-Class when it arrives here on October 1, and a glance at its long spec sheet suggests the company may be right.

But on-paper impressions only count for so much, and in the rarefied realm of ultra-luxurious limousines some attributes simply can't be conveyed via spec sheet alone - they must be experienced first hand.

Accordingly, BMW Australia has air-freighted two pre-production examples of the new 7 Series into the country - one long-wheelbase, one short-wheelbase. Unfortunately, no cameras were allowed.