Curtain side airbags replace a tubular design, and are linked with rollover sensors as another new standard feature. Front side airbags now mount in the seats instead of the doors. Also added as standard are run-flat tires, steering-linked xenon headlamps, keyless entry/engine starting, and BMW's iDrive controller for audio and climate functions, plus available navigation and phone systems. New to the options list are BMW's Active Steering with quicker low-speed response; satellite radio; and rear DVD entertainment. An available Sport package bundles a driver-adjustable "active" suspension with BMW's Active Roll Stabilization, designed to check body lean.

Other options include adaptive cruise control, a head-up instrument display, and front/rear obstacle detection with rearview camera. Base prices are $46,595 for the 6-cyl model and $55,195 for the V8. BMW claims 0-60 mph performance of 7.8 sec for the 3.0si and 6.4 for the 4.8i, improvements of 0.4-0.5 sec. The 6-cyl offers slightly better EPA fuel economy at 17/23-mpg city/highway, but the V8 loses 1 mpg in both ratings, dropping to 15/21.

BMW's other big L.A. news was the Hydrogen 7, a 760iL sedan modified to run on liquid hydrogen or gasoline. It's a demonstration exercise and not for public sale, though BMW touts it as step on the road to a greener future and energy independence. Only 100 will be built, with 50 earmarked for U.S. use by policy-makers, celebrities and opinion leaders. The Hydrogen 7 uses a modified 6.0-liter V12 that normally starts on hydrogen, but automatically switches to gasoline if the 8kg onboard hydrogen tank runs dry. Drivers can also change fuel type by a dashboard switch. BMW claims a hydrogen range of 125 miles, plus 310 miles on the 19.5-gal gas tank.

The liquid hydrogen stores in what has been likened to a giant Thermos bottle at minus-253 degrees Celsius. It fills from a separate connector in the right rear roof pillar. The hydrogen tank eats up quite a bit of cargo room and rear-seat space, hence the use of the longer 7-Series body. Hydrogen fueling also eats into horsepower, rated at 268 versus 438 for a regular 760iL. Even so, BMW claims 0-60 in 9.5 sec. More important, the bi-fuel engine is rated for near-zero emissions when running on hydrogen, emitting only water and trace amounts of hydrocarbons from burned cylinder lubricant.

BMW has spent some 20 years on hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines. It's the only automaker going down this "hydrogen highway," but sees the approach as a practical near-term way for reducing greenhouse gases until hydrogen-fuel-cell electric vehicles become feasible and affordable. The main drawbacks for now are lack of hydrogen fuel stations and the sheer mass of the extra hardware. The former will likely be more easily solved than the latter.

2007 BMW X5 and Hydrogen 7