No fewer than five new vehicles broke cover at BMW’s presentation. The debuts range from the smallest to the largest models in the German premium automaker’s range, but the emphasis was the same for each — efficiency.

Most radical was the world debut of the X1 concept, an early version of a sports activity vehicle based on the successful 1-series compact sedan that finally reached North America this year. Like its X5, X3 and X6 predecessors, the X1 is effectively a sporty crossover based on the underlying sedan. As everyone moves toward smaller cars, smaller sports activity vehicles make sense.

It has “the versatility of an SAV, the flexibility of a compact car and the dynamics of a BMW,” said Dr Klaus Draeger, BMW board member for development. It “builds on the tradition of the X models, but demonstrates unique character”. It certainly has distinctive 1-series looks with a proportionately long hood and sculpted body, but with added bulk and presence. We can expect to see the final production version next year.

The lowest key launch was for the facelifted 3-series sedan and wagon (“Touring” in BMW’s language), though as the world’s biggest selling compact premium auto, it’ll be the one that affects the largest number of people. Revisions are extensive, covering styling, in car systems, and more powerful and economical engines. There’s even optional extra: unlimited internet access through the cellular phone network, though the standard is still only EDGE, not the highest-speed 3G or HSDPA technologies.

The biggest launch, at least in terms of vehicle size, was the new 7-series, BMW’s flagship model. The fifth generation is a conservative evolution of the existing model, with all the enhancements you’d expect: more space, improved dynamics, better comfort. Added technology includes a push-button powered parking brake, a night vision camera that will pick out pedestrians too far away to be visible to the human eye, and a camera-based traffic sign recognition system that will monitor speed limits.

Lane departure warning, high-efficiency climate control and other high-value technology also features. However, people who have trouble with BMW’s idiosyncratic iDrive system may not be impressed to hear that the new 7-series’ owner’s manual is now integrated into iDrive itself, the electronic equivalent of locking the keys in the car. Let’s hope there’s a paper version as well.

Powering the new 7-series is a range of six-cylinder diesel engines, BMW’s most powerful 6-cylinder gas engine, and what the company claims is the most efficient V8 engine in the world. This 4.4 liter, 407-horsepower twin-turbo unit achieves 21 mpg and meets ULEV II standards.

There’s also the 7-series ActiveHybrid, with a mild hybrid system utilizing a V8 gasoline engine. A 15% improvement in fuel consumption is promised, but this is still labeled as a concept for now. BMW’s engineers are still working to finalize development work on their first forays into production hybrid; it will be ready for production next year.