Ok; we’ve already seen the first images of BMW’s new 7-series a couple of weeks ago. But now the German giant has given us a first glimpse of the unique innovations which they believe will make its new flagship model the best-equipped luxury car on sale in Europe.
Without meaning to get too technical, beneath the car’s new svelte shape the 7-series introduces a new active chassis management system (branded as IMS) which is similar, in principle, to Land Rover’s Terrain Response. Simply and cleverly, this groups a variety of variable settings for the chassis, transmission and engine into four driver-chosen settings: Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus.
In fairness it’s a principle which a number of other rival manufacturers have used for some years. Each setting varies damper settings, steering weight, the gear change map, throttle response and the intervention threshold of the stability control. BMW technicians believe ‘Comfort’ gives the new 7-series its best-ever refinement, while ‘Sport’ makes it ‘handle like a 3-series.
Those clever people at BMW have also tackled the steering in the new 7-series. BMW’s familiar active steering system has been combined with a new rear-steering system which means that below 35mph the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels to reduce the turning circle and increase low-speed agility. You’ll be pleased to hear at higher speeds they turn in the same direction as the front wheels (up to three degrees) to stabilise fast cornering or lane-changing manoeuvres.
Not surprisingly, the new 7-series also carries a number of eco-refinements. And despite the new car’s extra equipment and an aerodynamic flap in the radiator grille that blanks off unnecessary airflow to reduce drag, the car is 55kg lighter when compared to the outgoing model.
New technology too will also be in abundance in the new 7-series. The camera/navigation system reads road signs and displays the current speed limit on the dash; there’s also a comprehensive head-up display, a night-vision system with thermal imaging built in that can ‘see’ people and animals out of normal sight, a collision warning system, and a lane-departure warning system that vibrates the steering wheel and displays a dashboard message if there’s a car in your blind spot. BMW claims no other car in the class has such a comprehensive array of safety and convenience gadgets.
The latest, power-saving ZF six-speed auto will be used across the board and it will be mated to three engine options. As you would expect, the big seller will be the 730d, powered by a twin-turbo version of BMW’s 3.0-litre six cylinder diesel engine, producing 242bhp at 4000rpm, plus 399lb/ft between 1750 and 3000 rpm. Fuel consumption figures have been cut by 10% despite the fact it has 10% more torque than the old 3.0 litre. CO2 output is just 192gm/km. The diesel accelerates from 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds and can do 150mph.
The new 740i will drop the current car’s V8 power for BMW’s twin-turbo petrol 3.0-litre, good for 323bhp at 5800rpm and 332lb ft from 1500-4500rpm. At the top of the range sits a twin-turbo 4.4-litre petrol V8, replacing the outgoing car’s normally aspirated 6.0 litre V12. It makes 404bhp and 443lb ft of torque, delivering a 5.2 second 0-62mph time, with top speed governed at 155mph.
Further good news is prices will stick ‘closely’ to current levels, and both short and long wheelbase models will be in showrooms by November.
