We were in New York recently for the global launch of the new BMW 7 Series. We drove it both on the road and a private racetrack. Here is what the experience was like
Story: Aspi Bhathena
Photography: BMW
All the luxury cars come out of Europe and England, barring the Lexus, which comes from Japan. The big three Germans — Audi, BMW and Mercedes — are constantly trying to outdo each other with their flagship models. In the past the 7 Series lost out to the competition in ride quality and luxury as the previous-generation cars were focused more on driving dynamics than on comfortable ride quality; it was a driver’s car.
The global drive of the new 7 Series was held in upstate New York, about half-an-hour by chopper. The drive was split into two: 100 kilometres on the road and a track driving experience on the private Monticello circuit.
The new car looks imposing with its upright stance and powerful presence at the front end. It is the first car from BMW to feature an active kidney grille with a visible air-flap control. The air-flap comes into play only when increased cooling is required, otherwise it remains shut. This improves the aerodynamics as well as giving the front end an even more eye-catching look due to the extra number of bars to the large kidney grille. The headlight units merge into the grille, while the light graphic of the familiar BMW circular headlights is levelled off at its upper and lower edges, giving the car a purposeful and focused look. The hood is honed perfectly to fit in with the form of the kidney grille’s upper section. The lower air intake stretches wide across the front end, the chrome in the outer edges of the intake and the horizontal contours of the LED fog and the full LED lights underline the car’s broad stance.
