The all-new BMW 7 Series.
From the revolutionary iDrive operating system, to the electronic speedometer, Park Distance Control and brand new technology including carbon core to reduce overall weight by upto 130 kgs, a full suite of innovations entailing Touch Command, Gesture Control, sky lounge with panorama glass roof and laser lights that increase range up to 600 meters, the all-new BMW 7 Series made its entry into Sri Lanka recently epitomizing the axiom of ‘Driving luxury’. The Most Innovative Car in its Class at the World Luxury Car Awards 2016, the All-new 7 series BMW, builds on BMW’s 100 year legacy and its next 100 year vision, ‘The best way to predict the future is to create it,” with this new milestone in driving luxury, combining the best in comfort, style and leading edge innovation.
Unveiling the vehicle in the presence of Chief Guest German Ambassador Dr Jurgen Morhard, Chairman/Managing Director of Prestige Automobile Heinz Reuter declared that, “This all-new BMW 7 series embodies our quest for modern mobility, highest quality and absolute precision. It is truly a masterpiece from BMW and probably the best car BMW has ever built.” Expanding on the full range of ground breaking innovations that BMW has introduced and thus set benchmarks for the cars of today, Prestige Automobile (Pvt) Limited, the authorized importer for BMW for over two decades unveiled two variants of the all new BMW 7 series.
The BMW 740Li is powered by a six-cylinder inline engine with the legendary BMW twin power turbo technology which has not only improved efficiency of the engine but has a more spontaneous response as well. It produces an output of 326 hp, an acceleration from 0-100 km in 5.6 seconds and average fuel consumption improvement of 16% upto 6.6 litres per 100 kms. CO2 emissions have also improved by 16% to 154g per km.
The BMW 740Le with its drivetrain BMW eDrive concept unites a lithium-ion high voltage battery, an electric motor and intelligent energy management system. It optimizes stability and increased agility on any road or weather condition with its sure footed traction, prompted by the highly efficient eDrive plug in hybrid system and variable all-wheel innovation xDrive. The car with its system output of 240Kv (326hp) features a 190 kW (258 hp) four-cylinder petrol engine powered by twin power turbo technology, an 83 kW (113 hp) electric motor and a lithium-ion high voltage battery of 9.2 kWh.
As Reuter mentions, “Due to the intelligent lightweight engineering that has at its center a carbon core body structure which is a transfer of technology from the development of the BMW i8, the all-new BMW 7 series is the first car in its segment to reduce weight by upto 130 kgs compared to previous generation counterparts. The sharper driving dynamics and superior ride comforts offers more freedom of choice when configuring the ideal vehicle set up either for sportier handling or a greater comfort ride. He exampled the exclusive interior atmosphere accentuated by precision crafted lighting design. “The standard ambient light provides harmonious indirect illumination on the instrument panel, door beltlines, map pockets and footwells, in addition to courtesy lights and illuminated bars on the door sills.” Six colour variants can be controlled through the iDrive menu. A standard welcome light carpet with its eye-catching lighting graphics in the entrance/exit area is assisted by light sources incorporated into the side skirts.
Another first showcased in the all-new BMW 7 series is the iDrive Operating System’s control display which comes in the form of a touch display and the BMW Gesture Control, which is another pioneering feature. “The BMW Display key, which can be charged wirelessly, highlights information about the vehicle’s status and allows select functions to be controlled via the integrated touch display. Time, fuel gauge, service notifications, status of central locking system and auxiliary heating controls can also be assessed. By making specific hand movements in the vicinity of the centre console which are registered by a 3D sensor, commonly used infotainment system functions can be controlled conveniently,” explains Reuter of this premiering feature. “The various gestures serve, for instance, to adjust the audio volume, control the 3D surround view display and accept or reject incoming phone calls.”
Attention to detail which is hereditary of the BMW brand is further augmented with the executive lounge housing an integrated work table taking comfort to new heights, the unique BMW vitality programme and massage function and the elegant aerodynamically designed exteriors, sporting precision crafted formidable curved surfaces, precisely drawn double swage line and a chrome strip that enhances aesthetics in both silhouette and form.
