As announced earlier this year, BMW is to brand all of its plug-in hybrid products as iPerformance models, aimed at displaying technological links with the i sub-brand.

Now, the brand has launched 740e and 740Le xDrive saloons to join the 225xe Active Tourer, BMW 330e saloon and BMW X5 xDrive40e already on sale.

In the 740e and BMW 740Le xDrive, a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo petrol engine is combined with an electric motor to produce a combined 322bhp. Both models can cover up to 29 miles on electric power alone while official CO2 emissions range from 49g/km to 56g/km with fuel consumption from 134.5mpg to 113mpg.

iPerformance models are only subtly marked out, bearing eDrive badges on the C-pillars, the charging point flap on the nearside front wing and, in some cases, i badges on the front wings. For no extra cost, customers can specify iPerformance exterior styling comprising blue slats on the BMW kidney grille and blue alloy wheel hubs. Internally, iPerformance models have eDrive menus in the black panel display and, in most cases, eDrive designation on the door sills.

OTR prices for the BMW 740e and 740Le xDrive start from £68,330 and £74,880 and are available in the Exclusive or M Sport trim.