First Drive: BMW 7 Series

First Drive: BMW 7 Series

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This is the new BMW 7 Series. It's the brand's flagship limo, with pricing starting at a cool R2,172,751. For that, you get an ultra-luxurious 5.4-metre-long land yacht that, on an entry level, weighs 2.1 tonnes. There is then no doubt that some will interpret these figures as a monstrous byproduct of both 21st-century excess and, appropriately, the inherently bloated nature that is par for the course in the steady implementation of EVs – a case in point being the 2.6-tonne i7 electric. 

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Others will note the unorthodox styling with its sensationally large grille, a pain-point for die-hard BMW fans, and suggest that BMW has lost its way with its latest models. Allow me to play the part of the Devil's Advocate here: The new BMW 7 Series is not what you'd call pretty by conventional standards. Sure, it has sleek lines complemented by the two-tier headlight stack that includes the usual bevvy of tech you'd associate with this kettle of a car – including BMW's Selective Beam system with high beams that look to eliminate glare for oncoming motorists. Add to this Swarovski crystal headlight inserts that cast a unique glow, and The 7 represents the new pinnacle of excess; no wonder it's so revered by the one-percenters. Remember my statement on the 7 Series not being conventionally pretty? It's not. Not by some stretch of the imagination, but, and this it does brilliantly, it casts a stately and imposing figure against the backdrop of monotony and convention. If that's any form of measuring stick, the BMW Design Department has done a fantastic job. 

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The business end

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With the advancements, especially in other German quarters, in how drivers interact with their cars from a cabin perspective, I've been increasingly critical of BMW's overall cabin executions over the last while – especially in the mid- to higher-end spectrum of the brand's offerings. Imagine my surprise to find a BMW interior that is no terms short of a masterful execution in luxury. All seats are upholstered with soft, supportive leather that can be optionally swapped for either Merino leather or cashmere and wool wrapping – a new option now available as part of BMW's Individual selection. 

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The steering wheel has a thick, substantial feel, while unnecessary button clutter is eliminated with a digital-heavy user interactive approach. Mind, it's not perfect: when asking the BMW assistant, prompted with the "Hey BMW" phrase, to open the cubby, it decided to open all the windows at travel speed, despite recording my request perfectly on the Heads-Up Display. While the gigantic curved screen (consisting of an integrated 12.3" driver display and a 14.9" infotainment display) works brilliantly as a unit, some functions, like the four-zone climate control, feel crammed into the interface with more configurations than can possibly make sense in terms of ventilation. 

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Entertainment and comfort in the business end (for The 7, that'd be the back) is taken care of with a 31.3" 8K high-resolution screen and a Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system that takes in-car entertainment to a lofty new level. Select 'Theatre Mode' on the armrest-mounted 5.5" touchscreen control and the screen folds down, the blinds darken the rear of the car, and it's easy to get lost in hours of on-the-go entertainment as passing kilometres culminate into a multi-media blur.   

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Drive polish

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As comfortable, inviting, and business-jet-like as the back is, BMW didn't neglect the drive dynamics of its mighty 7. In fact, it's a tough call to abandon the driving seat for all the opulence the rear offers. The reason is simple: the new BMW 7 Series represents an impressive blend of power and polish, be it the 740i M Sport with its relatively quiet startup, aided by a 48-Volt mild-hybrid system, or the all-electric i7 xDrive60. While the 6-cyl, inline engine in the 740i feels expectedly responsive, it's the i7 with its dual motors, combined power output of 400 kW, and gigantic 745 Nm of torque that took my breath away in its deliverability of power, despite its 2.6-tonne heft. Thanks to the lack of conventional mechanical components, the i7's electric drive is instantaneously delivered to all four wheels, taking care of the 0-100 km/h acceleration figure in a mere 4.7 secs, while the linear torque delivery makes overtaking a breeze. 

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The steering is precise, albeit on the lighter side for my liking, while the suspension is tuned to provide a smooth, responsive ride. Something the one-percenter in the back will be infinitely grateful for. 

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Is the 7 Series the best limo money can buy?

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It depends on who you ask. Also, suppose you ignore diamond-emblazoned rear cupholders and LED-lit roof trimmings that emulate the constellations. In that case, it may be one of the best hyper-luxurious executive cruisers money can buy. With the 7 Series, I believe BMW has achieved the perfect balance of technology, luxury and substance. But…

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BMW has made considerable strides forward in some areas, while some lesser-obvious areas feel overlooked. The self-opening and self-closing doors that shut with a considerable thud – no soft-close function… The all-aboard digital implementation makes something as usually simple as climate control feel overly layered and difficult to use. Navigating the entertainment screen in the back, while adding a true sense of luxurious depth, isn't as seemingly straightforward to use as you'd think. Items that are easily tweakable with an update and areas I reckon should have been more carefully considered.  

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Perhaps I'm knit-picking, and judging a car as fantastic as The 7 on these seemingly insignificant details is hardly fair. Is it a dealbreaker, though? Not by any stretch of the imagination because, well, it's just such a striking car.

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BMW 740i Design Pure Excellence R2,160,000

BMW 740i M Sport Package R2,235,000

BMW 740i M Sport Package Pro R2,275,000

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BMW 740d xDrive Design Pure Excellence R2,280,000

BMW 740d xDrive M Sport Package R2,355,000

BMW 740d xDrive M Sport Package Pro R2,395,000

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BMW i7 xDrive60 Design Pure Excellence R2,825,000

BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport Package R2,900,000

BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport Package Pro R2,940,000

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