Along with the 3 and 5 series, the 7 is the spine of the BMW range. In fact, after the 5, it is the longest running BMW on sale. The sixth generation of the 7 Series was revealed on June 10, 2015 at BMW’s headquarters in Munich.
New BMW 7 Series – Take a Look At The Outside
BMW’s evolutionary theme continues. There is nothing radical. The new 7, code named G11, smells of …7 series – big, imposing and understated. At first sight it looks just a bit too similar to the outgoing model – but hey – it’s a philosophy that’s worked for Audi and Porsche.
Take a Look At The Inside
As you would expect this is a car that will be gadget-laden galore. Leather, wood, lots of buttons, but the whole effect seems to be of a giant 3 series. Again, nothing radical.
Tech Details
I was wowed by the junction cameras of the outgoing model, so I am interested to see how BMW crank up the tech on the new model with features such as Gesture Control (selected functions can be operated by means of defined hand movements), BMW Laserlight (illuminates a range of up to 600 metres − nearly twice as far as that of conventional headlights), and Remote Control Parking. The BMW 7 Series is the first production vehicle that can park itself via remote control.
The BMW display key shows various bits of information about the vehicle’s status and allows selected functions to be controlled via the integrated touch display. The time can be displayed, along with remaining fuel and current range, service notifications, as well as the current status of the central locking system, the windows and the glass roof. In addition, Remote Control Parking and Auxiliary heating can also be operated via the BMW display key.
The new BMW 7 Series is the first car to use industrially manufactured CFRP in its body construction, not as a visible material in the outer skin but in combination with steel, aluminum and plastic “carbon core”. The result, BMW claims, is roughly a 285-pound net reduction in weight over the current 7 series.
There will be a choice of just two engines in the UK, both mated to a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox. The big seller will be the 730d, which receives BMW’s new B57 engine with 261bhp and 457lb/ft. The petrol engine is a new turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder, the B58, which powers the 740Li with 321bhp and 332lb/ft.
It is the first 7 series available with all-wheel drive.
Summary
Given how the S Class has lapped up all the plaudits, the new 7 comes across as rather cautious in some respects. Even tech-wise the S Class seems to have grabbed the lot despite the 7’s fancy parking trick and funky key. Another problem for the 7 series is its more talented younger brother, the 5 series. However, one could argue that this imposing car’s talents run skin deep. It remains to be seen whether it can reverse the stats that the old model was outsold by more than two to one last year by its main rival
