The BMW 7 Series has a long and storied history of showcasing the Bavarian car giant's latest and greatest technology and car-building prowess. The current generation of the 7 has divided opinion with its styling, but there's no doubt that the car beneath is a technological tour de force. I recently had a chance to drive the 740i, and here are my thoughts!
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Pros:
-A magnificent luxury experience
-The drivetrain is sublime
-Comfort is truly outstanding
-In-car tech is breathtaking
Cons:
-The exterior design is polarising
-With great tech comes great complication
A History of 7 Series
BMW's flagship luxury vehicle, the 7 Series, has a storied history that dates back to its debut in 1977. As a successor to the BMW E3 "New Six" sedans, the 7 Series has consistently set benchmarks in the full-size luxury sedan segment, combining cutting-edge technology with opulent comfort and driving pleasure.
Over the years, this model has witnessed numerous evolutions, with the second-generation E32 debuting in 1986 and reintroducing the V12 engine into the passenger car world for the first time in decades! In 1994, the E38 introduced curtain airbags and in-car sat nav to the world! The following generation was the Chris Bangle-penned E65/E66/E67/E68, which brought iDrive to the world, introduced controversial styling that has stuck with the brand until this day, and even offered night vision and the world's first direct-injection V12 engine into the passenger car segment!
In 2008, right in time for the global financial crisis, the F01/F02/F03/F04 fifth-gen was launched, introducing a turbocharged V12 engine and a hybrid drivetrain option as industry innovations! Fast-forward to 2015, when the G11/G12 was introduced, it was underpinned by the brand's modular OKL platform. It featured Carbon Core, where carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer was used as structural chassis components. Fast-forward to 2022, and the current G70/G73 was launched!
Styling
BMW's design language is the definition of hit and miss, with some of its models looking spectacular; I'm speaking to you 3 and 8 Series! Others, well, there's an ugly tree, and certain models appear to have fallen from it and hit every branch on their way down. The 7 Series, I would say, falls into the latter category, and it hasn't grown on me like the controversial M3/M4 models have. Styling is inherently subjective, so take what I say with a pinch of overpriced Himalayan pink salt.
Interior & Space
The interior of the latest 7 is a healthy combination of old-school comfort and futuristic tech. I love that it feels like you're seated in your favourite chair and have access to the latest automotive tech. I played around with the various driving modes, yielding a bespoke interior look and feel, meaning your 7 never has to look the same inside if you don't want it to.
The new 7 supports Level 3 autonomous driving, meaning that, if laws permit it, the car could drive itself! I used many of its systems daily, and the car mostly negotiated my 108km daily round trip. I kept my hands on the wheel and occasionally made inputs while having a back massage and being immersed in my awful music, thanks to the crisp Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system!
While I spent most of my time driving the 7, I also spent some time in the back, where the individual touchscreens on either door allow the user to control climate, lighting, and entertainment. This is an effective solution for rear entertainment. A frankly ridiculous 31-inch 8K theatre screen folds down from the roof, allowing entertainment to be enjoyed via Amazon Fire TV. When Theatre Mode is activated, the window blinds close automatically, and you have a cosy cocoon where you can enjoy media while being driven to your desired destination; it's all very opulent!
Regarding practicality, a massive 540-litre boot swallowed a set of golf clubs and a pull cart with ample room to spare. The braked towing capacity is rated at 2 100kg, making it possible to tow a trailer with your golf cart along, too! Given the plush nature of the seats, there's only seating for four occupants.
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Drivetrain
The 3.0-litre turbocharged engine delivers 230kW and 450Nm of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox from ZF. The engine code is B58TU2, a revised version of the brand's award-winning inline-six. The B58TU2 engine introduces several technical enhancements, including running a Miller Cycle with redesigned intake ports and combustion chambers, a new electronic Vanos Variable Camshaft, an improved intercooler and an integrated cylinder head and exhaust manifold. There's also a new Valvetronic system and a dual injection system with low-pressure fuel injectors. The engine also features a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup. The mild hybrid unit uses brake energy recuperation, which is stored in a separate battery module specifically designed to add 8kW of power when needed. At the same time, the integrated starter generator supplies energy to run the electric functions of the car.
Driving impression
There's no getting around the fact that the new 7 is a massive car, at over 5.3 metres long, over 2.1 metres wide and weighing around 2.1 tons; it both looks and feels big. This can be daunting when driving in urban and traffic scenarios, but is certainly an advantage on the open road, where the 7 feels rock solid!
The combined 280kW/540Nm is more than enough to propel the two-ton 7 down the road. With a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.4 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h, the 740i feels brisk despite being the entry-level 7! There's about enough six-cylinder soundtrack penetrating the cabin in Sport mode to make the experience feel unmistakably BMW.
At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, the seats in the 7 are the most comfortable I've ever experienced in a car. With my comically bad lower back, I appreciated the soft nature of the pews each time I got into the car. I was enamoured with the ride quality, too. The adaptive 2-axle air suspension, which includes automatic self-levelling, endows the model with a buttery-smooth ride quality. The suspension, in combination with the inherently balanced and smooth operating in-line six along with a high degree of soundproofing
Fuel economy
BMW claims that the 740i will consume fuel at a rate of 7.9 L/100km, a figure we doubted would even be remotely possible; however, our figure of 9.1 L/100km is very reasonable. At this price point, fuel economy doesn't matter as much from a financial implication but more from a driving range and convenience perspective. A 74-litre fuel tank means that around 800km of driving range is realistic.
Safety
Due to its low-volume production, the 7 Series has yet to be crash-tested, but it is safe to assume that it would achieve a 5-star rating, given that the cars below it in the BMW lineup have all received 5-star ratings.
Pricing*
The 740i in Design Pure Excellence guise costs R 2 284 104 before options, and from what I could find on the brand's local configurator, our press unit has roughly `R230 000 worth of options. At around the R2.5-million mark, you could opt for a diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz S350d L (R2 652 996), but that would have no options ticked, or go for the less opulent, smaller but more dynamic-to-drive Porsche Panamera 4 e-hybrid (R 2 654 000)
*The 740i comes standard with a 5-year/100 000km maintenance plan
Verdict
The 7 Series is premium motoring at its very best. Its silky smooth drivetrain, supple suspension, and impressive interior make it a segment leader, but you'd have to make peace with its opinion-splitting looks. Still, in an era where the large luxury saloon is slowly fading into obscurity, it's heartwarming to know that BMW is still so good at building these things!
