e-nthusiast. May 2009
For 30 years and five generations, the BMW 7 Series has been the ultimate vehicle that defines the BMW brand. Not only in terms of luxury, power, exclusivity and advanced technology, but also in the way the company thinks and acts. Everything we do, we do to a BMW 7 Series standard.
The new BMW 7 Series is an amazing car, the best of the best - not just because it delivers a spirited, dynamic drive that you usually associate with smaller sporty BMW cars - but because it also makes a far smaller impact on the environment than you might expect.
It’s not a hybrid (yet), but with fuel consumption of 7.2-litres per 100km for the 730d turbo diesel and just 9.9-litres per 100km for the 740i petrol model, the biggest BMW has a surprisingly tiny thirst for fuel. Emissions too, are significantly lower than you might expect and well below the out-going BMW 7 Series; itself a model of clean-living.
But here’s the perplexing part. The reduction in consumption is matched by an increase in outright performance. More power, more torque, less fuel, fewer emissions. How on earth is this possible?
The answer of course is extremely precise control of fuel injection, combustion and stringent exhaust after-treatment. It is a dedication to weight reduction using advanced materials management, honing the aerodynamic qualities of the overall vehicle and taking a large number of incremental increases from around the vehicle and making them add up to a substantial whole.
All BMW 7 Series models meet Euro 5 emissions regulations (not slated for Australia till 2011), meaning a BMW 7 Series makes far less of an environmental impact than many other vehicles, irrespective of their size or market classification.
A BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid, utilising an internal combustion engine boosted by an electric motor is on its way, too. This promises to use less than 10-litres of fuel per 100km from a twin turbo V8 petrol engine and a 15 kW electric motor. The electric motor boosts acceleration at low speed in stop-start traffic and acts as an afterburner at high speed. Cruising the freeway consumes just 8.5-l/100km.
The lure of the BMW 7 Series is not only its frugal, powerful engines, but its advanced electronic chassis control, delivering true limousine levels of comfort inside. Luscious leather upholstery, multi-adjustable seats and multi-zone air conditioning are expected, but massage seats, fully integrated rear seat entertainment systems as well as intriguing new generation safety systems are also on offer.
Some of these debutant systems include Night Vision with Pedestrian Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, front Side View cameras for edging out into traffic and Integral Active Steering.
Perhaps the most difficult aspect to the new BMW 7 Series is deciding which one would best suit your needs: The torque-endowed 730d, the silky straight-six cylinder 740i or the twin turbo V8-powered 750i?
For the first time as well, BMW has added the extended wheelbase 740Li and 750Li models to the launch line-up, almost doubling the choice, or, as you might see it, providing the ultimate challenge.
The new BMW 7 Series launched in Australia on 20 April.
