BMW says its new flagship luxury car marks a new design direction for the company.

Both inside and out, BMW's designers and technicians have created an entirely new look and feel for the 7 Series and developed a new interior concept called iDrive. Two models, the 735i and 745i, will go on sale this spring.

Two models will be available at launch, the 735i (£52,750) and the 745i (£56,950). The V12 760i and long wheelbase models will join the line-up later in the year, with six-cylinder petrol and diesel models in 2003.

Penned by BMW design chief Chris Bangle, the 7 Series has a new look. Lightweight materials have been used extensively, like aluminium and high-strength steel. Although the new 7 Series is longer, wider and higher than the previous model and packed with new systems and extra equipment, it is only marginally heavier.

BMW says the new body is also extremely aerodynamic which helps deliver the outstanding fuel consumption figures -- 735i

26.4 mpg, 745i 25.9 mpg.

The managing director of BMW GB, Jim O'Donnell, said: "The revolutionary design of the new 7 Series, inside and out, will make a major impact in what is an increasingly competitive market and the car's combination of performance and supreme fuel-efficiency is simply second to none. We believe our new 7 is really going to shake up the luxury sector in the coming years."

Faced with the conundrum of ever-increasing vehicle systems and technology, yet limited space for the resultant proliferation of knobs, buttons and switches on the dashboards of luxury cars, BMW has found a radical solution.

iDrive is an intuitive, ergonomic design concept which splits the control systems into two main areas within the cockpit - the driving area, immediately in front of the driver and the comfort area, running up the centre console and the middle of the dash, dominated by the large circular knob and the control display.

All the primary controls needed to drive the car are directly in front of the driver. The gearshift is controlled by a stalk on the steering column and the parking brake is operated by a button on the dashboard, within easy reach.

The rest of the dashboard is almost devoid of switches and buttons, giving the interior clean lines and a feeling of light and space. Exceptions are the primary heater controls and the sound system on/off knob.

All remaining secondary controls are operated via the controller - a large circular knob positioned on the centre console. control areas are selected via a menu-driven display at the top of the dashboard.

The controller and control display are intuitive and easy to use and help to reduce driver distraction. Optional voice control of many of the systems makes life even easier.

One of the most significant innovations within this system is the world's first mobile Internet gateway, called BMW Online. This will give access to services like e-mail, Yellow Pages, news and local guides, when it comes to the UK in 2003.

Standard specification is generous; including satellite navigation, Dynamic Drive active anti-roll system, telephone and leather upholstery.