BMW 7 Series Sedan

Overview:

Just days after the Chinese New Year, the Malaysians got their very own year's bash. With the launch of BMW 7 Series the Germans have successfully laid the foundation of excellence in the very field they are known for. By paving its way to the Malaysian market the brand has set a bench mark in spreading their diverse kingdom to the eastern part of the globe. The convexity in the bumpers and sleek design to the side of the new 7 series screams out the perfection it is built with. The upgraded kidney grills and the wide open air inlets gives the segment a very elegant touch without compromising on the masculinity that it is meant to display. Chrome accents all over the fascia gives the elite level sedan a glossy finish. Short overhangs and minute changes to the rear counter implant the drive with much more elegance compared to the rivals of the same class. Being the top of the line BMW Sedan sneaking in to the cockpit make all the senses alert, as the comfort it provides is truly unmatchable. Dakota leather seats harmoniously matches with the white tone of the dash surface. The carved walnut root wood finish flowing to the console gives the sedan a luxurious finish.

In the Malaysian market, the straight 6-cylinder petrol engine of the BMW 7 series is implemented across two variants of BMW 7 series 730Li and 740Li delivering out 258 hp at 6,600 rpm and 320 hp at 5,800 rpm. The 7 series also comes in an active hybrid version. With the introduction of bunch of features like driving assistance with lane departure warning and approach control warning, active protection and attentiveness assistant, the brand has pioneered its way for supremacy in safety. BMW's night vision with pedestrian recognition and dynamic light spot is another set of safety feature that makes driving simpler even at night. The standard air suspension at the rear and COMFORT driving mode geared together gives a dynamic ride to the passengers. Switching to mileage, the 730Li delivers it at 11.49 km/l whereas the 740Li does it at 12.65 km/l. Efficient dynamics of the 7 series allows it to attain a top of 250 km/h. The 730Li races past the 100 km/hr mark in a meager 7.5 seconds whereas the 740Li does it in just 5.7 seconds. The 7 series overall is the epitome of luxury at its best.

Mileage and Fuel Economy:

With a mileage of 12.65 km/l the 740Li is a way more ahead than the 730Li with a mileage figure of 11.49 km/l. The Twin-Scroll turbocharger with valvetronic and high precision injection enables the engine to run with minimal fuel consumption. At the same time the state of the art twin power turbo technology equipped in the 730Li give a descent hike in the fuel economy.

Power:

The TwinPower Turbo technology engulfed in the engine gives apt thrust and a refined power. The powerhouse centre of the 730Li churns out 258 hp at 6,600 rpm where as the 740Li delivers a much bigger maximum power output measuring 320 hp at 5,800 rpm. This power I complimented with a maximum starting torque measuring 310 Nm between 2600 to 3000 rpm for 730Li whereas the 740Li goes for 450 Nm between 1300 to 4500 rpm.

Acceleration and Pickup:

Well talking about the speed and thrill that BMW 7 series embeds, the top speed of both the variants has been electronically limited to 250 km/hr. Though having same top speed figures, the 740Li touches a figure of 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds whereas the 730Li has a flipped figure of 7.5 seconds.

Exterior:

One look at BMW 7 series from the outside and you would be gazing into supreme panache, and what else would you expect from a BMW sitting pretty on the top of the company's line-up. Upgraded kidney grills and chrome touch to the front gives a very appealing look to the newly introduced sedan. The silhouette of the car reveals the luxuriousness it is packed with whereas the broad open air inlets to the front give an increased gasping capacity to the engine. Straight flow of lines on the bonnet and the side lines reaching to the rear add a good factor to the aerodynamics of the car thus resulting in low fuel consumption as well as significantly reduced CO2 emissions. The signature front hangs and long bonnet is the legacy that BMW never misses to add. The Adaptive LED head lamps refines the aesthetics of front section of the car. The new 7 series is generally available in three metallic shades namely- Mineral White, Sophisto Grey and Havanna Brown. Attractive new colours of the 7 series gives an elegant look to the luxury sedan.

Exterior Measurements:

BMW 7 series is one of the biggest cars present in the mid luxury segment. As such, the drive is dimensioned as 5219 mm x 1902 mm x 1481mm. Wheelbase of the car is 3210 mm which makes up for more than decent room for embedding all the heavy machineries and of course passengers to enjoy them.

Interior:

Ivory white coloured upholstery, fine wood finish with walnut root inlays, Dakota leather cushions. You are in the cockpit of the mighty 7 series. The interiors employed have actually turned the sedan into a total master piece with high quality materials installed which builds a very spacious atmosphere all-round. Multi-functional instrument display offering high end clarity with BMW high end loudspeaker systems in the acoustically insulated compartment gives a theatrical essence to the car. A 9.2 inch rear entertainment professional with AUX-IN connection is mounted to the rear of the front seats. The screens with tilt adjustment can be operated individually. Apart from these the brand provides individual electric coolbox at the rear and cupholders near the centre console. The rear seat entertainment indulges the passenger with pure multimedia experience. With ample amount of legrooms and headrooms the spaciousness inside the car is perfect for a luxury sedan. Individual climate control at the rear gives soothing pleasure in any harsh climate.

Interior Comfort:

BMW is the brand known for its luxury and comfort. In the 7 series also the brand has not missed the legacy. The brand provides a plethora of optional equipments to enhance the comfort of the driver as well as passengers. And if you are a workaholic then the car is equipped with folding tables at the rear so that you can switch to your work even if you are on the wheels. The new COMFORT driving mode in combination with the Integral Active Steering offers a maximum driving pleasure. Rear passenger seats equipped with massage function offers better relaxation to the strained muscles. One of the major comfort functionalities appointed inside BMW 7 series is a Navigation System Professional, which provides much more data count and reduces the fuel consumption level through special routes and tips.

Interior Measurements:

Providing a headroom of 1036mm at the front and 988 mm at rear, the sedan provides a full fledge comfort to the driver. With a shoulder-room of 1541 mm at the front and 1539 mm at the rear, the car is wide enough make its passenger cozy. The boot space appointed is also decent enough, though overall it is much less than you would have expected in a car this size.

Engine and Performance:

The BMW'S twin power twin turbo technology in the 2996cc straight six-cylinder petrol engine installed in the 730Li is capable of churning 258 hp maximum power output at 6,600 rpm delivering a maximum torque of 310 Nm between 2,600 to 3,000 rpm. The 2979 cc 740Li churns out 320 hp maximum output power at 5,800 rpm and delivers a maximum torque of 450 Nm between 1,300 to 4,500 rpm. 8-speed automatic transmission in BMW 7 series ensures low fuel consumption and enhances the driving dynamics. The Twin Scroll turbocharger with valvetronic and high precision injection enables the engine to drive at a good economic figure.

Stereo and Accessories:

Bang and Olufsen high-end Surround sound system, with new Dirac Dimensions signal processing provides a lively atmosphere in the isolated compartment of the 7 series. This high quality sound is the result of 16 loudspeakers generating 1,200 watts, this package also includes an automatically extending center speaker. The huge 9.2-inch screen embedded on the centre of the dashboard is not just a centre of navigation features, but also houses all the entertainment and infotainment controls. The speaker is bestowed with Acoustic Lens technology for consistent sound quality. The sedan is also equipped with AUX-IN connection including a 12 V socket to connect to an external audio source such as an MP3 player. The TV function allows you to use the control display as a television when the vehicle is stationary.

Wheels:

The wheel used in the segment is a 19 inch light alloy with a tyre specification of 245/45 R19 at the front and 275/40 R19 to the rear. The radial-spoke 252 and V-spoke 426 light alloy wheels gives a distinctly different look to the saloon.

Braking and Handling:

The brake installed in the 7 series are ventilated disc type at the front and solid disc type at the rear. The integral active steering equipped in the car copes up with the challenge it is provided with and efficiently. It combines the feature of speed dependent steering and rear wheel steering. At low speeds the vehicle provides excellent maneuverability due to the direct steering transmission. At higher speed the steering becomes more indirect thus increasing the stability.

Safety and Security:

When you drive the 7 series, you would feel the refuge its providing you. Emergency call function in combination with connect drive automatically transmits data such as vehicle position, injury risk. It also has Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) that includes traction mode (DTC) which detects skids and stabilizes the vehicle within milliseconds. 6 Airbag protection provide enhanced safety at harsh conditions. The Runflat tyre technology helps the vehicle to propel the vehicle for a good length even with flat tyres. The tyre pressure indicator informs about the low pressure data of the tyre. Adaptive LED head lamps provide high and low beam at times needed. The daylight makes driving safe in the dark. Active protection in the car does a series of functions during the event of crash like tighten seat belts, shuts open windows and the seats are returned to most comfortable position.

Pros:

Cons:

Priced a bit higher than competition
Available as petrol only