The refreshed BMW 7 Series is a classic case in point for one of those tinkered jobs wherein one ought to have a second and longer stare. Beauty, as they say, is in the eyes of the beholder but we aren’t completely sure who would look at the mid-life update of the BMW limousine and say, “Yes! That’s a masterpiece!”

There are a bunch of cosmetic changes but the most prominent one is at the front – the massive kidney grille. We understand what BMW is trying to do here. The bigger kidney grille has also been fitted to the new X5, the X7 and even the 8 Series. But on the 7 Series, it somehow looks a bit too big. BMW says that it is 40 per cent larger than before and it is there to deliver a “more powerful visual presence.”

Accompanying it is a set of redesigned headlamp enclosures, which come with adaptive LEDs as standard but can be upgraded to BMW’s Laserlight technology. Apart from that, the front bumper has also been redesigned to complement the 50mm taller stance of the sedan at its foremost point. For the same reason, the hood and the front fenders are now more muscular in shape. At the rear, there’s a slim light strip that runs across the width of the boot lid. It also connects the new taillamp enclosures which are now 1.4 inches slimmer than before.

The refreshed model also brings with it a selection of two non-metallic and eleven metallic paint options for the exterior. The new ones include Royal Burgundy Red, Bernina Grey and Donington Grey. If you get into the options list, the count of colours available for the exterior also goes up, including eight BMW Individual special paint finishes. Depending on the variant, the BMW 7 Series facelift comes with 17-inch or 18-inch light-alloys as standard. The options list includes more designs for the wheels, ranging from 17 to 21 inches.

Inside the cabin, the BMW 7 Series facelift now comes with the latest generation of BMW’s digital instrument cluster. We’ve already seen the same on the new X5 and the 8 Series. Apart from that, the standard equipment list now includes a wireless charging pad which has been placed in front of the cup holders for easy access. The carmaker is also offering various leather and trim options.

At the time of launch, the BMW 7 Series facelift will be available with petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains. All of them come as standard with 8-speed automatic transmission. Spearheading the range will be the M760Li with a 6.6-litre, twin-turbo V12 petrol engine. It produces 585PS/850Nm of oomph which is transferred to the road via an all-wheel-drive system. The top speed is limited to 250kmph whereas 0-100kmph is dealt in 3.8 seconds. The 4.4-litre V8 in the 750Li has been reworked to produce 530PS/750Nm, which with the xDrive system hits 100kmph from nothing in 4.1 seconds and tops out at 250kmph (electronically limited).

As for the hybrid powertrain, it features a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder petrol engine mated to an electric motor. While the internal combustion engine (ICE) pumps out 286PS/450Nm, the electric motor is good for 113PS/265Nm. The total system output is rated at 394PS/600Nm. With the ICE running, the top speed is 250kmph. However, the BMW 7 Series facelift can also run up to 54km (with xDrive) on electricity alone. With just the electric motor, the car will top out at 140kmph.

As for the diesel, the 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder motor is available in three states of tune – one with 320PS/680Nm and the other with 265PS/620Nm. Both can hit a top speed of 250kmph but where the former has a 0-100kmph time of 5.3 seconds, the latter will take 5.8 seconds (with xDrive) to do the same sprint.

The refreshed BMW 7 Series will go on sale in its most important markets such as Europe and the USA in a few months. Inevitably, it will make its way to India as well. As before, expect BMW India to sell it in petrol and diesel forms. The hybrid, unfortunately, is unlikely to land on our shores.