We were able to meet the new generation BMW 7 series several times during the past and this week via leaks. Only the official premiere last night in Munich , however, brought a detailed look at the cutting-edge technology, the slightly controversial design and the extraordinary weight loss.
If you are expecting a design revolution and a significant departure from the current portfolio of the Bavarian manufacturer, you will probably be disappointed. The new "seventh" is a kind of mix of the lines of the previous generation and elements from the smaller series 1, 2 and 3. The whole is dominated, as usual, by large kidney stones, which are followed by standard LED lights. The diodes can be replaced for an additional fee with laser technology , known for example from the sporty i8. The bumper is probably the most interesting of all with the LED fog lamps, the rest is again within the limits of the last generation of luxury limousines. A bit more interesting is the view from the profile, which is dominated by the chrome line in the lower part of the doors and the front fender, respectively the cast wheels with sizes from seventeen to twenty-one inches. Chrome can also be seen in the rear parts, where it connects the L-shaped group lights . Mentioning diode technology is probably no longer relevant.
It is already an established tradition to offer two body lengths, and it is no different in this case either. The standard 7 series measures 5098 mm in length, 1902 mm in width and 1467 mm in height , the extended L version is 5238 mm in length, 1902 mm in width and 1479 mm in height. The most interesting, however, is of course the comparison of wheelbases – 3070 mm in the first case, 3210 mm in the second.
If in the paragraph about design there was talk of "robbing" smaller siblings, then this applies doubly to the interior. The materials used, including wood, Nappa leather and chrome, are of course miles away from regular BMW production, but the overall design is somehow still the same. The premiere in the 7 series is celebrated by a digital instrument panel adjustable in several modes, a wireless charger for mobile phones or the multimedia system iDrive of the fifth generation with the possibility to control it not only by touch but also by gestures. If you dig deeper into your pocket, almost endless possibilities for individualizing both appearance and comfort open up. For example, on-board systems can be controlled via a seven-inch tablet, and the air can be scented with eight different fragrances . For the extended wheelbase model, the Executive Lounge package is available with four-zone automatic climate control, a rear center tunnel with cup holders and slide-out tables or massage seats, or the Sky Lounge Panorama panoramic window and Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound.
As already mentioned in the introduction itself, the new 7 series has significantly lost weight between generations . The press release talks about up to 200 kilograms, which is mainly due to the use of carbon structures in combination with steel, aluminum, magnesium and plastics. The diet will help the car dynamically and in terms of driving characteristics. Air suspension on both axles and the Dynamic Damper Control system, otherwise known as adaptive dampers, will already be included in the base. The xDrive all-wheel drive will be able to be combined with the four-wheel steering function, which BMW calls X Steer, for the very first time. The basic drive unit is a diesel three-liter six-cylinder 730d/730Ld with an output of 265 hp and a torque of 620 Nm, which is available as a four-wheel drive in addition to rear-wheel drive. The second option is the TwinPower Turbo 740i/740Li three-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine with an output of 326 hp with a torque of 450 Nm and drive exclusively to the rear axle. The last conventional engine is the 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo 750i xDrive/750Li xDrive gasoline engine with a power of 450 hp and a torque of 650 Nm, which for a change is only a four-wheel drive. For lovers of alternative routes to the car, BMW offers the plug-in hybrid 740e/740Le with a gasoline two-liter four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo and an electric motor with a total output of 326 horsepower. The fuel consumption value is at the limit of 2.1 l/100 km, the purely electric range is 40 km, and in addition to the standard rear drive, a four-wheel drive is also available. Regardless of engine, all 7 Series have an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.
At the end, we kept quite possibly the most revolutionary solution of the new "seven". Thanks to the Remote Control Parking function, the car can park itself in a parking lot or in an underground garage without the presence of a driver behind the wheel. He operates the car using a key with a touch screen, while the car automatically regulates its movement when parking, and the driver watches the entire process from the outside. This trick makes parking in narrow spaces easier.
Source: BMW
