Climbing behind the wheel of a vehicle this grand, it's hard to not be slightly overwhelmed. BMW's new 7 series has been thoroughly redesigned and is a lot of car to take in at once. The amount of technology packed into the new 750 is impressive. While the main details of the car are staggering, it's the attention to detail that impresses most and the little things that surprise. With the incredible number of things to check out it's hard to even know where to begin.
Where better to begin than at the heart of the beast? The new 7 series features BMW's new 4.4 liter, direct injection, twin turbocharged V8. The new V8 is the veritable definition of smooth. Considering BMW's relatively limited history with turbocharging production engines, the integration of the turbos is undetectable. During the duration of my test drive, the presence of the turbos was never announced. There is absolutely no turbo lag. Depress the accelerator pedal and the big sedan just moves. No hesitation, no whistle from the turbos, no whooshes of waste gates. The engine just responds with a reassuring surge, as it ought to with 400 horsepower and 450 lbs-ft of torque on tap. Equally astounding is the fuel economy. The 750Li returns an EPA rated 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 miles per gallon on the highway. Pretty good for a car this heavy, 4640 lbs, with this much power.
Mated to this incredible engine is a superb transmission. To further exemplify the smoothness of the engine, the transmission changes gears imperceptibly. Scooting up to seventy going down the on ramp, the only indication that the car is shifting is the tachometer. Only once did the transmission get slightly flustered caused by a sudden lift of the throttle when accelerating at highway speeds. Pull the transmission stalk towards you and you can control the gear changes yourself. In manual mode the gears are swapped just as quickly with just a bit less polish allowing you to feel each change. When in the mood to hustle the big sedan, it seems fitting to allow for a more tactile experience. BMW's transmission controller also works well. It responds quickly and once acclimated, is very easy to use.
If you're wondering if the new 750 can hustle, the answer is yes. Getting up to highway speed happens without even thinking, courtesy of the aforementioned engine. BMW lists the zero to sixty time as 5.2 seconds for the extended wheel base Li model. A tenth is shaved on the shorter wheelbase model. This claim is certainly believable as there never seems to be a shortage of power. And when you get to the exit ramp, you never have to worry about the 7 falling over itself. No, it will not be confused with an M3, but it tackles corners with composure and never feels ponderous. Turning into the corner, there is some lean while the wheel gives you good feedback. Mid corner bumps are taken in stride and do not upset the chassis.
The model I drove as also equipped with BMW's xDrive all wheel drive system. This operated seamlessly and without a direct comparison to the rear wheel drive model, did not detract from the driving experience. The all wheel drive would definitely be appreciated when the snow falls. I can only imagine the trouble the rear wheels would have finding traction given the power on tap, even with excellent traction control.
So how does the interior compare to the dynamic characteristics? The initial impression is one of obvious luxury. The two tone Black and Oyster (white) leather was combined with black ash grain wood trim that creates a purposeful, business like interior that still manages to be inviting. Not to mention the fact that it looks fantastic together. I'm not entirely sure 16 way power adjustable seats are truly necessary, but they will ensure maximum comfort for all drivers. The instrument panel is a little over the top in execution. It features a flat matte black screen. The only three dimensional features are the semi circle bezels wrapped around the needles. Upon opening the door the screen springs to life completing the gauges with numbers, temperature, and even connecting the bottom of the chrome bezels. Once started the remainder of the information is displayed including the odometer and fuel gauge. The high resolution screen is bright, extremely legible, and adds to the technological display.
I don't think a review of a 7 series would be complete without at least commenting on the iDrive. The new iDrive is supposed to be much improved over the original. While I never experienced the old system, the new one seemed user friendly enough. It did take a few minutes and some exploring to manually tune the radio, so the system might create a little frustration for some. However, based on just the few menus that I accessed, the level of customization available would eventually make it very quick and easy to use. The four zone climate control is operated separate of the iDrive along with the basic radio functions like volume and station presets. The sound system was very crisp and should satisfy all but the most demanding audiophiles. Sound insulation is also superb. In fact, it wasn't until I had completed my test drive that I realized that I hadn't even noted the sound of the engine, much less road or wind noise.
Other technologies available include a backup camera that displays when the car is put in reverse. Included in this is a graphic displaying the course the car will follow based on the angle of the steering wheel. This also includes proximity sensors to help avoid obstacles. Navigation, Bluetooth, iPod and USB jacks including a dock to secure your MP3 player while connected are also available.
The back seats are also luxurious. The rear passengers are treated to an almost absurd amount of leg room, especially in the long wheel base model. Headroom is acceptable, if not excellent. My just over six foot frame had my hair brushing the headliner. Rear seats are provided with climate controls and can also be optioned with power adjust-ability, heating and ventilation, dual video screens, power sun shades, and vanity mirrors to name a few.
There is an awful lot of car available with the new 750. From the powerful and remarkably smooth new turbo charged V8 to the technological tour de force of the interior. The new 7 is an exceptionally well executed premium luxury sedan. It provides all the opulence one could need, for a price of course. The model I drove had an MSRP of $97,430. There are those however, who always need more. I can only imagine how serene and surreal the twin turbo V12 powered 760 must be. Considering all the amazing options and gadgets, far more than I can detail here, my favorite surprise was the seat belt. Once latched, it reels in the slack to a comfortable snugness. Like the big sedan is greeting you, saying “Welcome. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!”
