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These are our first impressions of the BMW 7 Series and i7 after their first drive in the United States.
Story: Aspi Bhathena
Photography: BMWs
The new 7 Series is now BMW’s flagship car. We were invited to Palm Springs, California, USA, to drive the seventh generation 7 Series.
As a manufacturer, BMW has a considerable advantage when it comes to luxury cars as they own the super luxury brand, Rolls-Royce, which has all the luxury features one would expect from a car. As such, they are in a position to pick and choose what they want from the Rolls-Royce line to take the 7 Series to the next level.
The car will be manufactured at the Group’s factory in Dingolfing. This is the first time that a BMW model with a choice of conventional engines, plug-in hybrid system and pure electric drive will be produced on a single line. It’s not only about reducing CO2 emissions but also in the car manufacturing process.
The first time I saw the 7 Series, it reminded me of a Rolls-Royce. Its bold and authoritative demeanor emerges from the monolithic surfaces and the new front-end look with the exclusive design style used for the luxury models of the BMW brand. The headlight unit is divided into two parts, the daytime driving lights have BMW crystal headlamps with the iconic glow, the welcome and goodbye effects are created by back-lit crystals from Swarovski, and the BMW kidney grille is illuminated. The black kidney grille is surrounded by black and white air dams. This gives the car a dramatic look where people are sure to do a second deckko on this stately car reminiscent of one of these Rolls-Royces.
The new 7 Series wheelbase has increased by five millimeters to 3,215 mm compared to the previous long wheelbase model. This results in a corresponding increase in legroom for the rear passengers. The car has increased by 130 mm in length, 48 mm in width and 51 mm in height.
The interior is where BMW really raises the bar. Here one witnesses a new interpretation of BMW’s driver-focused cockpit design with a BMW curved display, a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display behind a single glass surface curved towards the driver. The carbon interior strip with BMW interaction bar unites interior lights, decorative elements and operating functions, plus nearly invisible air vents, into a single component that extends the full width of the instrument panel to the door trim.
There’s a subtle back-lit control panel on the center console with a newly designed glass gear selector. The steering wheel comes with new function keys with active haptic inputs. If you prefer, you can choose from Veganza’s newly developed seat surfaces, materials with a leather-like feel, or Merino leather or cashmere wool.
The new 7 series comes with automatic doors — no more pull and push doors — comfortable entry for rear passengers, acoustic and vibration characteristics are used. Seat comfort, headroom and legroom in the back have increased significantly. The multifunctional rear seat with executive lounge seating behind the front passenger offers comfort like a business class airplane seat with complete support for your legs.
Then there’s standard four-zone automatic climate control with nanoparticle filter and panel heating for the armrests on the center console and door trims. The sky lounge panoramic glass sunroof is equipped with LED lighting threads.
The new 7 Series also sets new benchmarks in the in-car entertainment department. The BMW theater screen extends downward from the headliner with a built-in Amazon Firestick TV and transforms the rear compartment into a private cinema space. There’s a 31.3-inch panoramic touchscreen display in 32:9 format with 8K resolution and a Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system with speakers integrated into the headrests and amplifiers in the backrests. One needs to experience the cabin once it gets dark and the ambient lighting takes effect. Ambient lighting effects and entertainment systems and comfortable seats make people feel like they are just sitting in the car. In doing so, the 7 Series has taken the in-car experience not just a few notches above, but as a whole to a higher level, one that its rivals may fall behind in comparison.
The car we drove in Palm Springs was a 760i with a 48 volt mild hybrid. The V8 engine churns out 544 hp of power and 750 Nm of torque assisted by an electric motor that produces 18 hp of power and 200 Nm of torque. The electric motor also functions as a starter and both are mated to an eight-speed steptronic automatic gearbox. Power is channeled to the road through the rear wheels.
The suspension arrangement at the front is dual axle air suspension with multilink and multilink air suspension at the rear. The car rides on 19-inch wheels.
The roads around Palm Springs are conducive to driving an impressive car like the 7 Series. Its V8 motor coupled with the 48-volt motor provides instant throttle response and care should be taken not to exceed the 70-mph (112 km/h) freeway speed limit. ). All one has to do is turn on the cruise control and the car really drives itself. You almost feel as if you’re traveling by air as the suspension absorbs all the bumps in the road. Plus, the noise-vibration-and-loudness (NVH) level is so good that you feel completely disconnected from the road and all the noise outside. The best part: the moment you exit the freeway and onto the narrow Canyon road, the fun begins. You can throw this car around corners like a sports car, despite its size. Hats off to BMW. They retain the fun-to-drive factor with a luxurious ride quality unlike any other luxury car which is like a boat to drive.
The 7 Series has the DNA of BMW fun to drive in all its luxuries. It not only enhances the game, but takes it to another level.
Need to Know – BMW 760i xDrive
Price: Rs 2 crore (estimate, ex-showroom)
Engine: 4,395 cc, V8, 48 volt mild-hybrid, turbo-petrol
Max Power: 544 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque: 750 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm
Electric Motor: 13-kW ISG (18 hp, 200 Nm)
Battery: 20-Ah, 48 volts, lithium-ion
Transmission: Eight-speed, automatic, all-wheel drive
Suspension: Double wishbone front, five link rear, air
Weight: 2270 kg
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