Elegant, luxurious and athletic, the 7 Series contains no compromises. It is exactly what a sporty luxury sedan should be. Whether it's the $83,825 regular-wheelbase 750i or the $86,180 long-wheelbase 750Li like my test BMW, the driving is exhilarating and the passenger experience unsurpassed.
When you count among your peers the Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ, you must deliver on expectations and the 750s do just that. From the dynamic lines of the sleek exterior to the near-perfect seats, this sedan oozes class and defines premium.
Other than its 5.5 inch longer wheelbase (as well as its correspondingly stretched overall length) and self-leveling suspension, the 750Li is virtually the same as the 750i. All of that overall-length gain is invested into the 750Li's rear-seat legroom that totals a whopping 44.3 inches.
A 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 delivers 400 horsepower to the rear wheels by way of a driver-shiftable six-speed automatic transmission. An extra $3,000 will add all-wheel drive to either of the 750s. Such AWD versions include “xDrive” in their nomenclature and badging. Acceleration is blistering, particularly for a sedan of this size and heft. Getting to 60 miles per hour from a standstill takes just over five seconds. There is a bit of turbo hesitation when you goose the accelerator, but it's not annoying and certainly doesn't seem to dampen the get up and go.
Fuel economy is better than should be expected for a big sedan capable of sub-six-second acceleration. You won't see Sierra Club members hugging it; but fuel economy is relative and, relatively speaking, mileage for the 750s isn't awful. Yet the base prices listed earlier include a $1,000 Gas Guzzler Tax. The EPA estimates that the 750i will get 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway; while the 750Li will achieve 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.
With a four-wheel independent suspension engineered and tuned for spot-on handling, the ride may be a little stiffer than you might want from a luxury sedan. This is one of those areas where BMW could have compromised, but instead choose to keep the 750s faithful to BMW handling traditions. A double-wishbone layout in front and a multi-link setup in the rear are the suspension's key components.
Drivers have the power to program vehicle responses through the Driving Dynamics Control system. Offering four different settings, it adjusts throttle response, shift pattern, shock absorber damping and power-steering assist. Drivers can choose the setting that best suits their driving style or current mood.
Antilock brakes on all four corners reel in forward progress. In addition to the traction control, stability control, electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency braking assist found on an array of cars, the 750s have BMW's brake drying and emergency braking preparation features.
Entering the cavernous interior, it is difficult to ignore the yards of leather often interrupted with real wood accents and some occasional brightwork. Beefy side bolsters and generous bottom cushions that can be adjusted to increase knee support highlight the 14-way power-adjustable front bucket seats. Both are heatable and also offer power-adjustable lumbar support. You won't hear any complaints from passengers riding in the backseat. This is particularly true in the longer 750Li, in which passengers feel as though they are being whisked to an international summit. “Don't spare the horses, James.”
Adjusting the expanse of gadgets in the 7 Series requires a lot of driver input. BMW solved the problem of too many buttons, switches and knobs on the instrument panel by introducing its iDrive computer interface on the 7 Series nearly a decade ago. Exceedingly difficult to operate when first introduced, it has evolved over the years to the much more user-friendly version found in today's 7 Series. There are still some buttons for the often-made adjustments, such as volume and tuning for the 10-speaker 7.1 surround sound system, but the newer, more simplified iDrive retains control of less-accessed systems through a round knob on the center console.
Standard features include a hard drive-based navigation system, iPod/USB connection, HD radio, full power accessories, tilt-telescoping steering wheel with redundant audio controls, keyless ignition, four-zone climate control, 2-person memory system for driver's seat, steering wheel, climate control and exterior mirrors, eight airbags, and Xenon adaptive headlamps with cornering lights.
The $1,700 Convenience Package adds soft-close automatic doors, keyless entry and automatic power trunklid operation. Another $2,600 will get you optional Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection; while ponying up another $1,750 adds Integral Active Steering that turns all four wheels during slow-speed maneuvering
One of the ultimate reward-yourself sedans, the 7 Series is more than just a status statement; it satisfies in every regard.
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