BMW have introduced the latest generation of their flagship luxury saloon, the 7 Series, in petrol and diesel guises.
The all-new 7 Series arrives, loaded to the kidney grille with tech, and the company hopes it will take it right to the top of revered premium luxury segment. The all-new G11/G12 7 Series premium luxury saloon and long-wheelbase limousine début in 730d and 750Li xDrive guises respectively. With the competition already running away with innovations under their belt, the new 7 looks set to take on the best in the business. The focus is on driving dynamics, long-distance comfort, efficiency and driver assistance, with personalisation also high on the list of priorities and there are some world-first innovations on offer to ensure that they are firmly met.
EfficientLightweight
Carbon Core technology transfer from BMW i has helped reduce weight by up to 130 kg, thanks to the greater use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). Extensively re-engineered straight-six and V8 engines mean more output and better efficiency. The new 7 is the first car in its segment to combine CFRP, steel and aluminium. Drag coefficient is also taken care of with active kidney-grille opening or closing slats depending on engine temperature.
Executive Drive Pro
A reinforced CFRP, steel and aluminium body, and a full set of airbags are one thing, but the chassis control system with active roll stabilisation, integral steering, and a lane-keep assist which works at up to 210 km/h take safety up a notch. Then, there is the stereo video camera and navigation system, which, together with the anticipatory Dynamic Damper Control, further fine-tune the ride quality on the go, detecting pot-holes or changes of road condition.
Intelligent Lighting
The panoramic glass-roof further increase airiness in the cabin, while at night, the Sky Lounge redefines ambient lighting with more than 15,000 different light patterns that match one of the six selected ambient light colours. The standard full-LED headlamps with optional anti-dazzle Laserlight and Selective Beam deliver among the best lighting in the segment. When approaching or leaving the car, the Welcome Carpet illuminates your way around the car.
ConnectedDrive
BMW Gesture Control marks its world premiere, with a 3D sensor making interaction with the infotainment system easy and intuitive, using one customisable and four pre-defined hand movements. The new Head-up Display is also 75 per cent larger and has new graphics. You also get voice control with speech and phrase recognition, internet access, real-time traffic information, and a useful concierge service. BMW Touch Command tablet-interface for apps and car functions, as well as wireless charging inside the centre arm-rest. World-first remote parking has the car park itself without the driver having to be in the car, although it must be monitored using the BMW Display Key with the driver-less travel mode limited to 1.5 times the car’s length.
Trims
The choice of M Sport, Pure Excellence as well as Individual Design Composition will allow customers to create a car best suited to their lifestyle. ‘Design Pure Excellence’ packs all the creature comforts and luxury goodies together with advanced tech that anyone in this segment could possibly need. The ‘M Sport’ trim accentuates the underlying sporty characteristics of the car, which, as with every BMW, compact or large, is dynamically gifted.
TwinPower Turbo
The new 7 Series line-up begins with the new 730d, with the 3.0-litre straight-six diesel, now making 265 PS and 620 Nm. The 740i unit is the 3.0-litre straight-six petrol with 326 PS and 450 Nm. The flagship is now the updated 4.4-litre V8 in the 750Li with 450 PS and 650 Nm. Standard and long wheelbase models are available, with xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive available with the 30d and 50i motors. The eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission is standard.
eDrive Plug-in Hybrid
The new 740e and 740Le will arrive in a few months following global roll-out of the range. It uses a more powerful 258-PS 2.0-litre four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo combustion engine coupled to an electric motor for a combined peak output of 326 PS. The eDrive system allows an all-electric range of 40 km, with fuel consumption in hybrid mode rated at 47.6 km/l, and just 49 g/km CO2.
Story: Jim Gorde
