BMW 7 Series, The Most Powerful Saloon Out Of Munich

The current generation of the BMW 7 Series has been with us since 2015, the year in which it was presented in society. As usual, it is the flagship of the German firm and, as it happens every time it is updated, it is placed to the last in terms of security systems and technology.

In fact, a few years ago it was the 7 Series that was chosen to be the first hydrogen-powered BMW, an idea that was scrapped due to poor sales. Even so, the idea of ​​a low-consumption representative saloon continues with the plug-in hybrid that is on sale today.

Classic and contemporary exterior

Aesthetically, the BMW 7 Series is not a neck breaker. You will not turn to look at it when it passes by on the street, and it will even be difficult to differentiate it from the previous model if you are not a fan of motorsports. Still, it  looks like it should: huge, luxurious, and expensive.

The front end has adopted BMW’s new feature of joining the headlights to the main grille, giving the front a sharper look, while the feeling of width is enhanced by a lower grille. As if that were not enough, the headlights can be equipped with laser technology, the same that the BMW i8 previously debuted.

The side now includes a new molding in the lower area of ​​the doors and the front wing, which helps reduce the sensation of weight caused by so much free sheet metal. At the rear, the LED lights increase in size and are joined by means of a chrome that runs around the entire boot lid.

Cabin not to drive

As for the interior, a new dashboard lined in noble materials such as aluminum, leather and wood, places you in the closest thing to a luxury office on wheels. The seats, with a massage function, invite you to drive at ease.

In addition, it premiered a digital dashboard that, in turn, is accompanied by a large 10.25 ″ central screen with gesture function. As if that were not enough, the BMW 7 Series has a key from which you can park and unpark the vehicle by remote control.

Be that as it may, the 7 Series is not a car to drive, but to be driven by another, be it a chauffeur or similar. All the qualities of the interior are accentuated in the rear seats, with great amplitude and multiple options controlled through a screen to adapt the space to our needs.

Mechanical range

Mechanically, the BMW 7 Series continues to demonstrate its technological power with the possibility of equipping 6-cylinder in-line and V8 engines. In addition to a V12, the range is expanded in this generation with the arrival of a  plug-in hybrid.

For a saloon weighing more than two tonnes, these high horsepower engines make it easy to handle despite their ballast. It enjoys a dynamism superior to that of its rivals, the Audi A8 and the Mercedes S-Class, much more focused on comfort.

As if that were not enough, the formula of replacing the hypothetical M7 with an overpowered version signed by M Motorsport is repeated. Not receiving the ‘black leg’ treatment, it is known as the M760Li xDrive, and it delivers a whopping 610 hp of power.

There is no doubt that this is the most prominent version, but there is an extensive range below this that are the ones that collectively generate the highest sales. In gasoline engines we find the  750i, with 450 hp and the 740e iPerformance, which is combined with an electric motor and offers a total of 326 hp.

Moving on to serving the diesel range, the offer is greater, with a repertoire starring the 730d, 740d and 750d. Each of them offers 265, 320 and 400 hp respectively.

Available with rear or all-wheel drive xDrive (depending on engines), it also includes the possibility of a long wheelbase, which increases space in the rear seats. For the transmission,  BMW has opted for a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission exclusively for all mechanical ranges.

Prices

The varied mechanical range of the BMW 7 Series means that the rates are also considerably variable. On the one hand, diesels have a starting price of 97,450 euros for the most accessible 730d, followed by the 740d xDrive, available for 107,850 euros. Finally, the 750d xDrive starts at € 131,650.

As for the gasoline variants, the most affordable is the basic 750i, available from 125,850 euros. To this you can add both the all-wheel drive and the long wheelbase. All this leaves us with a base price of 141,550 euros. As top of the range, the M760Li xDrive does the same from 196,850 euros.

Data BMW Seire 7

• 4 doors
• 4 seater
• Luggage compartment: 515 liters (420 liters in the plug-in hybrid version)
• 6, 8 and 12 cylinder engines with powers from 265 hp to 610 hp
• 8-speed automatic gearbox
• Rear or all-wheel drive xDrive
• Short and long battle
• Consumption and emissions: From 2.0 l / 100 km and 45 g / km CO2
• Price: from 97 450 euros