BMW 7 Series

BMW's all-new saloon class luxury car is a significant leap forward in automotive and technological design for BMW. From the ground up the German car makers designers and engineers have developed a totally new appearance and and feel to their flagship model. And it doesn't stop there, as BMW have developed an advanced and exciting new concept referred to as iDrive.

A closer inspection of the new 7 series reveals a more refined body, technological advanced engine and vehicle chassis. It takes the use of technology to a completely new level, and employs the very latest in both electronic and computer advancements. The beautiful combination of effortless performance and surprisingly good economy are without equal in the large saloon class car sector. Every detail to the refinement in the interior to even smaller cabin items is truly second to none.

The new BMW 7 Series also makes wise financial sense as well, with luxurious high level of equipment, very competitive price structure, a special 5 year maintenance and service package and excellent residual values.

The ingenious use of lightweight materials like high-grade aluminium and high-strength steel sets this big car in a class of its own. The new 7 Series is slightly longer (approximately 45 millimetres), slightly wider (approximately 40+ millimetres)) and significantly higher (approximately 57+ millimetres) than its predecessor and is well appointed with new electronic systems and additional equipment. The weight factor of the new BMW 7 series is surprisingly only marginally heavier (approximately 20+ kgs). The newer body design is also very aerodynamic which helps give the new 7 series remarkable fuel consumption figures of 10.7 litre/100km for the 735i model and 10.9 litre/100km for the 745i model.

Advanced Interior Design

BMW has thrown caution to the wind and taken a bold move with its interior design with the new 7 series and futher incorporated its new iDrive concept as well. Like most other car makers BMW is faced with the conundrum of the constant increasing automobile systems and electronic technology. However, BMW has answered the call by limitingspace for the large array of knobs, buttons and electrical switches on the dashboard of the new BMW 7 series. This has resulted in extremely pleasing results although it is a radical solution for cars of it calibre.

The advanced "iDrive" is a revolutionary and ergonomic vehicle design concept which places the driver at the centre of automobile control. It divides the electronic control systems into two specific areas within the interior (1) the driving area, directly in front of the driver, and (2) the comfort area that runs up the centre console (and, the centre of the dash) enhanced by the rather large circular knob (the actual Controller) and the prominent vehicle control cisplay.

All of the essential controls required to drive the vehicle are constantly in front of the driver. The actual gearshift itself is completely controlled by a stalk located on the steering column, and the parking brake is controlled by a button located on the dashboard, and within easy reach of the driver. The remainder of the cabin dashboard is practically devoid of electrical switches and electronic buttons. This in turn gives the cars interior ultra-clean lines and a tremendous feeling of adequate light and space. However, a few exceptions are the vehicle's primary heater controls including the superb sound system on/off button.

All of the secondary controls are operated by the driver via the Controller which is a rather large circular button nicely positioned on the centre console. Major control areas are easily selected via a menu-driven electronic display which is located at the top of the vehicle's dashboard. The Control Display including the Controller itself have been carefully designed and located to be highly efficient and very simplistic to use. These well placed and designed features help reduce driver distraction. There is also an optional "on-board voice control" of many of the vehicles interior systems making life more enjoyable and much easier.

Effortless Power & Refinement

BMW have not cut corners when it comes to the new 7 serious. They ahve opted for two of the most refined and technically advanced V8 power plants in the world. Power is up significantly by 14 per cent in comparison to earlier models such as the 735i 272 brake horse power, 745i 333 brake horse power. In addition fuel economy and consumption has been reduced by a similar figure with the 735i 10.7 litre/100km, and with the 745i 10.9 litre/100km.

These two power plants boast 32 valves, Double-VANOS variable valve timing, and the German car makers new variable valve lift technology called VALVETRONIC. The vehicle's latter system adjusts the inlet valves so that they regulate the correct amount of fuel and air mixture that enters the egine cylinders and so does away with the need for a traditional throttle butterfly. By implementing this BMW have been able to increase the overall efficiency and significantly reduce the vehicle's fuel consumption. In addition, BMW have created a world first by introducing a new variable length inlet manifold vehicle system, which allows for maximum breathing at all engine speeds.

The new BMW 7 series performance is another impressive feature of the 7 series. The BMW 735i will travel from a complete standstill to 99.78 km/h in just 7.5 seconds, and with the 745i in only 6.3 seconds. Maximum speeds for both models are electronically limited to 249.45 km/h. Mated to both power plants is another world first for a saloon class production car--a six speed fully automatic transmission. The gearbox has 3 individual modes; (1) drive (2) sport and (3) manual. When placed in manual mode, the gears are shifted by implementing the Steptronic buttons located directly on the steering wheel.

Electronic Driving Stability Aids

A stiff and extremely tough chassis together with new active vehicle suspension system complement the very latest in electronic driving stability aids. This adds up to the ultimate driving experience you could wish for in a large saloon class luxury car. There is one thing for sure that no matter how hard you drive a new 7 series, the overall vehicle refinement, the exceptional road handling and the quality of the ride remains constant. The cars sensors will automactically detect when the vehicle begins to corner which causes hydraulic actuators to rotate the asymmetric roll bars and lift the vehicle on the outside of a curve or bend. The good thing about this is it won't load the cars suspension similar to other systems, so the quality and smoothness of the ride always remains perfect. It also dramatically reduces vehicle body roll but does not completely eliminate it altogether. This helps to maintain an acceptable level of ride for all occupants of the vehicle.

BMW also offers as an option "Electronic Damper Control system" (EDC-K) which has a unique Sport and Comfort setting. However, with each separate mode it still constantly adjusts the vehicle's damping rate to adapt to the driving conditions at any given moment. Notably, while set in "Sport mode" the dampers are significantly stiffer and the steering has much more weight about it.

In addition, along with the electronic active safety systems, such as the "Dynamic Stability Control" (DSC), "Dynamic Traction Control" (DTC) and "Cornering Braking Control" (CBC), there is a new system referred to as: "Fading Brake Support" (FBC). This revolutionary systen sensors temperature in the brake discs while detecting excessive heat build-up, and then applies additional force to the discs to compensate for any possible fade. However, when the disc brakes are subject to extreme driving conditions (say when the disc temperature goes beyond 600ºC,) the engine torque is electronically reduced by 25 per cent to let the the brakes have sufficient time to cool.

Peace-of-Mind Servicing

The German car maker has introduced a completely new 5 year, 120700 km service and maintenance package for the new 7 Series. It is referred to as "BMW Concours." At the time the car is sold, Concours transfers to the new owner. This mart move on the part of BMW will help greatly to enhance residual value of the new BMW 7 series.

BMW have also introduced a one-off service fee to cover regular servicing and maintenance by BMW trained technicians. This will include engine oil and filters, air filters, microfilter, brake pads and discs, spark plugs, brake fluid and coolant, and wiper blades. Onboard computers continually monitor all the major components, and will inform the driver when (and, what type of) service is required. This includes precisely what needs replacing on the vehicle as well. Service intervals are set around 30175 km and in some caes for the easy going driver not until 40233 km.

Cabin Materials

Materials inside the cabin have been choosen from the finest available in the industry. Becuse of the very high quality of these materials the new BMW 7 Series has an air of opulence and luxury about it. Equipment level and vehicle quality is extremely generous. This includes GPS satellite navigation, phone, sumptuous high-grade leather upholstery together with a list of options that's almost limitless. Cabin space for passengers has increased significantly when compared to the outgoing model with rear passengers now enjoying an additional 42 mm for knee room.

The main information display is dominated by the speedo and rev counter. However, all other information and statistics is accessible by simply scrolling through information on one of the steering wheel stalks. A separate stalk is for shifting through the automatic transmission gears which doesn't take very long to get used to. However, because the steering wheel fulfils many other functions it tends to feel a bit overloaded.Driver and front seat passenger storage area is very generous even for a car of its large size. The iDrive controller operates the GPS sat-nav, sound and visual entertainment, communications and full climate control air-conditioning. This same electronic set-up is duplicated in both of the the rear arm rests. The entire cabin area has a luxury feeling about it, and is extremely well appointed. The BMW 7 series also boasts electronically controlled leather seats whith subtle curves that echo the vehicle's exterior design and shape.

Vehicle Practicality

The rear environment features loads of passenger legroom, easy access to the vehicle's iDrive system, a television monitor along with a study footstool and extremely comfortable leather seats. The trunk (boot) is massive in size and quite capable of accommodating up to 500 litres of luggage. You will find four cupholders in the cabin plus some really ingenious storage ideas located within the central console. However, usable glove box space is somewhat limited but the storage bins within the car's central cabin are quite generous indeed. Plus, there's more than ample headspace for both the driver and passengers.

Vehicle Safety

The new BMW 7 Series comes standard with ten airbags including a host of other driving aids to keep a driver out of trouble. Safety is paramount, having being built-in to practically ever feature of the car. These include anti-skid, anti-lock brakes and dynamic stability control. Another excellent feature of the new BMW 7 series is the vehicle bumpers return to their original shape in an impact of less than 4mph.