All-new BMW 7 Series: In the lap of luxury

By Chupsie Medina November 18,2015
THE SERIES 7 exudes elegance befitting the brand’s top-line model. Photos by Jason K. Ang

THE SERIES 7 exudes elegance befitting the brand’s top-line model.

 

 

 

 

 

IF YOU want to be cosseted in the best of luxury that a saloon can offer when travelling, but still have improved power at your fingertips, your best bet today would be the all-new BMW Series 7.

 

BMW Group Asia unveiled the Series 7 in Singapore recently to a select handful of Asian VIPs and members of media. For the launch, a park in Singapore was converted into a demonstration track, although the vehicle was allowed to meekly go through its paces on the city streets for about an hour.

 

So what’s impressive about the all-new BMW Series 7?

 

First. It’s bigger but lighter, and therefore retains an agility that makes it a pleasure to drive and ride in.

 

Normally, luxury car manufacturers would shy away from producing big cars in these times when big means wasting fuel. But the Series 7 uses carbon fiber in many parts of its frame, reducing its weight by as much as 130 kilograms, but improving stability, strength and rigidity for a smoother ride.

 

Carbon Core, which is what BMW tags the carbon fiber technology it has developed, was first used in the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 sports car. After successfully infusing Carbon Core in the i8’s chassis to make it lighter, the next step predictably was to bring it to other BMW segments, of which the Series 7 is the first.

 

Second: there’s more power, but better fuel efficiency. Yes, you can accelerate the BMW 750Li from 0-100 kilometers per hour in 4.7 seconds (improved by 0.1 second) and the BMW 740Li from 0-100 kph in 5.6 seconds.

 

Claimed average fuel consumption of the 750Li (as per average EU test cycle) is at 8.0 liters/100km, an improvement of 8 percent over its predecessor), as well as an average CO2 emission of 187 g/km (better by 6 percent versus its predecessor).

 

Extensive redevelopmet in the all-new BMW 750Li’s V8 engine is behind the greater efficiency stats. The modifications have allowed the BMW 750Li to produce an output of 450 hp and a maximum torque of up to 650 Nm from 1,800 to 4,500 rpm.

 

NEW SAFETY Features include full-surround view from cameras on the front and back.

NEW SAFETY Features include full-surround view from cameras on the front and back.

For the all-new BMW 740Li, its six-cylinder in-line engine’s crankcase, cylinder head and oil sump are now all made from aluminium, and together with major changes, has helped to increasing its efficiency and response, resulting in an output of 326 horsepower (6 hp more than its predecessor) and a maximum torque of up to 450 Nm from 1,380 to 5,000 rpm.

 

Average fuel consumption of the 740Li is at 6.6 liters/100 km, a marked improved of 16 percent over its previous model. Average CO2 emission, on the hand, is at 154 g/km (better by 16 percent versus predecessor).

 

The all-new BMW Series 7 will have only two variants. The 740Li will be available in the Philippines next year, while the 750Li (which will be break out in select markets in March 2016, including Singapore) will come much later to the Philippine market.]

 

Third: stability. For the first time, active roll stabilization is carried out electromechanically, allowing the body roll forces to be equalized when taking bends at speed, like when we navigated the BMW 740Li through the manmade bends at the demonstration park.

 

When driving through the straight city roads, the adjustable anti-roll bars are set to allow the suspension system the greatest possible freedom of movement for increased comfort.

 

Another addition to the new Series 7 is the Executive Drive Pro (which we were not able to test) that incorporates an anticipatory chassis control function and is programmed from analysis readings of the driver’s style, data from the navigation system, and a stereo camera. All this is supposed to help in enhancing ride comfort and driving safety.

 

Coming as standard in the new BMW Series 7 is the Integral Active Steering system where the rear wheels help to steer. You can feel the driving stability as the front and rear wheels steer in opposing directions when travelling under 60 kph to reduce the turning circle and ensure every bend is taken with precision.

 

When travelling above 60 kph, the front and rear wheels turn in the same direction to ensure more stability at higher speeds, helping a lot when changing lanes because the vehicle practically “glides” in an even sideways motion, which makes it extremely comfortable for all the vehicle’s occupants and especially so for those in the rear.

 

A COMMAND pad for the rear occupant is standard for 750Li.

A COMMAND pad for the rear occupant is standard for 750Li.

Four: power exterior. Truly eye-catching, the Series 7 exudes elegance befitting the brand’s top-line model. Chrome accents can be found on the radiator grille slats, on the rear bumper and on the front air inlets, with the wheel arch trims and the visual engine guard creating a nuance-rich combination.

 

The BMW 740Li and 750Li come standard with 19-inch and 20-inch light-alloy wheels, respectively. Exceptional also are the available standard paintwork: two non-metallic and nine metallic color shades. Of course, any hue of paint is available under the BMW Individual Program for really choosy clients—for an additional cost, of course.

 

Fifth, to be ensconsed in luxury, creature comforts matter a lot.

 

There’s a whole range of innovations guaranteed to impress the prospective Series 7 owner. A two-section panorama glass roof has light emitted by LED modules that creates the magical effect of a starlit sky in the dark (optional for the 740Li). An ambient lighting program for other parts of the interior allows for six different color schemes.

 

For real VIP treatement, the BMW Series 7 comes with a standard welcome light carpet on the the entrance and exit areas illuminated from the side skirts.

 

There’s automatic air conditioning with four-zone control, electrically adjustable comfort seats, active seat ventilation for all seats, the standard massage function for both the front and rear seats, and a command pad for the rear occupant (standard on 750Li, optional on 740Li) to further cocoon the vehicle’s passengers in comfort.

 

BMW’s proprietary iDrive comes with gesture command options, a first, where one can adjust the volume of the infotainment by circular motions, or deny a phone call by a slash gesture. The driver can select a venue he wishes to navigate by instinctively pointing to the exact location on the map as displayed on the control display.

 

Fine-grain Merino full leather is made available for the first time for the seats, door trim panels, lower instrument panel section, center console, armrests and door pulls. Hand-woven piping and woven-look quilting on the seat surfaces are optional details, as with individual lettering.

 

The in-car entertainment comes courtesy of a fully-active 10-channel amplifier by a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system. The BMW ConnectedDrive raises the level of convenience and infotainment for the driver and passengers with a full suite of apps.

 

Sixth. New safety features include full-surround view from cameras on the front and back. A digital camera on the front of the car captures the traffic situation in front of the vehicle to enable early detection of oncoming traffic so that the driver can react appropriately. Driving assistance has been extended to include rear collision prevention and rear crossing traffic warning.

 

To reduce the risk of a rear collision, a rapid-flashing warning is used to draw the attention of following traffic whenever such a risk is identified. If it is no longer possible to prevent a collision, functions such as pulling the seat belts tight and closing the side windows and sunroof automatically follow.

 

The new BMW 7 Series is also the first car in its segment to come with the option of innovative laser headlights that provide a high-beam range of 600 meters, which is twice the range of current powerful LED headlights.

 

Also standard in the BMW 7 Series is a display key that provides useful information about the vehicle’s status and allows selected functions to be controlled. The time can be displayed, along with remaining fuel and current range, service notifications, as well as the current status of the central locking system, windows and glass roof. It can also operate remotely the air-conditioning system.

 

According to Anutarasoti Sethipong, corporate affairs director of BMW Group Asia, “This all-new BMW 7 Series embodies our quest for modern mobility, the highest quality and absolute precision. This is truly a masterpiece from BMW, and probably the best car we have ever built.”

 

The all-new BMW 740Li is currently retailing in Singapore at S$456,800 (inclusive of cost of entitlement).

 

Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.