BMW 7 Series - The flagship BMW

The 7 series is well and truly the flagship of the BMW marque. This large sedan is offered in many iterations ranging from the “base” 740i with a starting MSRP of only $77,000 to the 760Li V12 road eater whose beginning price is $137K! Hybrid and all-wheel drive versions are also available.



Our test vehicle was the 750Li. For an interpretation of the nomenclature it’s a 7 Series large sedan, 50 means it has the twin turbocharged 4.4 liter V8 and “L” denotes the long wheelbase model. The 400 horsepower engine hustles the 7 Series to 60 miles an hour in a mere 5.2 seconds, about the same as a 2010 Mustang GT. This model has a beginning price of $85,900 and fully optioned, ours topped out a just over $98 grand.

The new styling direction of BMW’s as of late delivers a vehicle that is just drop-dead gorgeous. This machine has presence like few other cars. It’s the kind of car that people just begin staring at. Our test car also had the “M” motor sport package which subtly adds small refinements and interesting design elements to the car’s appearance. It’s a cleverly crafted combination of luxury, performance and substance deftly rolled into one.

It has all the luxury accoutrement that one would expect from the flagship of the BMW line. Luxury seating with 16 adjustments delivers a comfortable position for virtually everyone. This being the “L” model, the rear seat legroom is positively grand. Movable foot rests on the floor of the rear seating compartment attest to that fact. The rear seats offer a 12 point massager, are
individually adjusting and are also heated and ventilated.

Instrumentation is not particularly ornate yet is very high quality and functional. The woodless, chromeless near monochromatic steering wheel attests to that fact. It reminds the driver that first and foremost, it’s the primary tool to control the car and functionality does reign supreme at BMW. The striking Black Panel instrument panel comes to life when car is started.

The I-Drive is still there but in an improved form. Additional button navigate you more directly to where you want to go. Additionally, if you get lost in the maze, simply use the voice command and tell the car what you really want. Case in point. The new 7 now accommodates simple USB memory sticks so you don’t need the expense an IPod to listen to music. I have one with many audio files on it. I simply plugged it in, press the voice command and said “USB” and a map of all readable files on the stick appeared. Simple.

The 7 Series BMW makes a statement wherever it goes. It’s not brash or gaudy. Rather, it presents itself in a supremely confident, totally capable fashion, and has the goods to back it up. It’s fast, luxurious and capable.
By Kelly Foss - MyCarData