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We've just been behind the wheel of BMW's new 7-series, at the company's Miramas test base. And while this 7-series might be a taped-up pre-production car, it's all but ready and we're here at BMWs request so that we can be prepared for the tech fest that’s hitting showrooms in November.
Hmm. The new BMW 7-series looks a bit like a revised version of the old car...
It does, in pictures – an eternal regret of those who drew it. As designer Karim Habib explained, only in the metal (many visible panels are aluminium) does it gain life (designers frequently watch clay mock-ups being towed outdoors, to see how shapes ‘move’).
And it’s some display of sculpting art, this 7. Much more cohesive than the bit-part old car. BMW-trademark proportions push the front wheels right forward, emphasising the gap between A-pillar and wheel centre. Near-vertical kidneys are pushed forward too, reinforcing the length.
But it’s surfacing that’s most remarkable. Take the side: an organic form, twisting inboard at the front wheels, free-flowing outwards towards the rear. This is Habib's favourite aspect. Modern BMW design; it exhausts the light falling on it, so heavily is the play.
The interior was controversial on the old car, too…
And, again, it’s been matured here. Decadent and impeccably finished, there’s plenty of trick detailing. Black panel dials, for example, mimic high-end hi-fis (the jury’s out on whether we like them, though) while even ceramic finishes are available.
The oh-so-controversial iDrive is integrated into the dash, rather than sitting pod-like on top, and its screen, as hi-res as HD TV, incorporates completely new logic (plus world-first internet-surfing ability). Honestly, as with an iPod, you immediately comprehend it. But BMW isn’t too proud to admit this means a few more buttons, Audi MMI-style. And you now get a gearlever rather than a stalk.
What’s that big button next to said gearlever?
A Sport button. Seen it all before? Not like this you haven’t. The 7’s chassis systems are among the most complex of any in the world – and also completely integrated by a central command unit. Via it, they all speak, barter and help each other out. Four ‘Dynamic Driving Control’ modes offer tangible differences (honestly, they do) that hone steering, throttle, gearshift, (standard) fully-adaptive dampers and driver aid leniency. Furthermore, there's the option of Integral Active Steering with sector-unique rear-steer. Buy it.
I’m guessing the 7-series you drove had rear-steer.
Yes, and the effect dazzled. As standard, the new 7-series is a big limo with an agile crispness akin to a 3-Series, while the helm gets tauter and more detailed as you up the ‘Sport’.
But with rear steer, through corners, it was just irresistible. In essence, it puts sideways castors on the rears; when the nose turns, you immediately feel the rear wheels do so too, in the same or opposing direction to suit. It’s bizzarely natural and satisfying. Even rear passengers benefit; cue one unjolted FT reader during an evasive lane-change – no roll-induced yaw reaction, you see.
With such agility, the apprehension of driving a large car is removed (even the turning circle is slashed). Believe us, on first evidence, it’s little sort of a luxo revolution.
But development saw BMW prioritise the comfort as much as the handling here. A fundamental shift? Well – shock – they’ve even switched from their beloved suspension struts to double wishbones. The result is plush riding comfort unruffled by surface harshness, the actively-damped body remaining unerringly level. Supple, quiet, luxurious. Who says runflat BMWs can’t ride well?
Does it shift?
Of course. Our 740i had a 3.0-litre twin-turbo six. The 335i engine? Yes; even the turbos are identical. But they’ve boosted it to 326bhp and 332lb ft. That’s 62mph in 5.9secs. It’s quick.
The 5.2sec-to-62mph 750i’s 407bhp twin-turbo V8 is a warrior, with fast-spooling turbos and throttle response you’d swear was an N/A V12. But 85 percent of UK drivers will have jaws dropped in another way; by a 245bhp 3.0-litre diesel that does 62mph in 7.2secs, 39.2mpg, and emits 192k/km of CO2. Staggering.
Verdict
Lord help us, we sound like the BMW PR machine. But when something’s as blinding, on first taste, as this, awe must be reflected. The new 7 is big-car comfortable yet junior exec agile, which further defies convention with its pace and eco combo.
We keep mentioning integration, but that’s the word here – design, interior, chassis… the crisp agility felt in that remarkable IAS steering pervades throughout. Despite the head-spinning arsenal of world-first tech that’s been thrown at it.
Come back in September to see if we use the S-slass-beater headline we’ve prepared.
CAR's rating:
BMW 740i (2009) CAR review | Road Testing Reviews | Car Magazine Online
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