From now on, the new BMW 7 Series will only be available in XXL format, which is actually known from luxury brands such as Bentley. In addition, it is now available again with fabric seats. And the V8 is reserved for European markets. Wrong world? Read for yourself!
Are they serious about BMW? There is no longer a long version of the new 7 Series? It’s even getting really serious, the new 7 series (factory code: G70) is only available as an ultra-long version. The new version is 5.39 meters long and is more than seven centimeters taller than the luxury liner Bentley Flying Spur! Anyone who now has to pass garage-wise, but is not thinking at all of becoming a lantern parker, is probably one of the growing majority in Germany in the future who will have to do without a 7er.
In general, BMW makes no secret of the fact that the focus is not on the German market – the Munich-based company is planning just eight percent of all units sold in the traditional luxury class for Europe. The rest goes mainly to China and the USA. Even V8 fans have to be very strong – there is an eight-cylinder, but not for Europe. It’s not that the developers didn’t want the subtle and characteristic rumble, but drive train specialist Emanuel Nicolardi explains that the components for the sophisticated exhaust aftertreatment simply took up too much space. Or: The adjustment would have been too expensive in relation to the expected number of units in Europe. Too bad.
Nevertheless, the 7 Series is part of the standard repertoire in this country when it comes to upscale locomotion. And the fact that the model is still important for Europe can be seen from the fact that the 740d xDrive (three-liter in-line six-cylinder with 299 hp) is again a patent diesel. However, the Upper Bavarians did not bring that with them to the first test drives. You have big plans. And no less than establishing the electric drive in the most exclusive segment. Diesel, of course – you can have it and it makes sense. But electromobility should be the future, of course also in the 7 Series. And so ntv.de was not only allowed to take a seat in the so-called i7 xDrive60, but also to start streaming with it. But it doesn’t work that quickly, get in and pause.
And first of all in the rear, where a few surprises await the passenger. As if there were an incredibly large screen that promptly folds out towards the headliner. The main component of the “Rear Entertainment Experience” is likely to be the 31-inch “BMW Theater Screen” with 8K resolution, which, thanks to the streaming service, can easily compete with a nice visit to the cinema – especially since you can lounge wonderfully in the rear armchairs.
However, the latest games can also be played here – or you can simply switch to the weather report. Touch screens integrated into the door handles in the format of a full-blown smartphone help with operation and encourage adult play. Anyone who pays the little thing of 11,330 euros extra for the basic price of at least 114,300 euros (740d xDrive) not only gets a massage function in the back, but also gets loudspeaker boxes built into the seats to acoustically perfect the cinema experience. The top sound system offers 4D sound and 1965 watts of power.
Change to the first row, of course to the driver’s seat. And while I – distracted by all the gadgets in the back – didn’t even realize I was sitting on fabric seats, I’m even more surprised now. Cloth seats in the upper class? BMW last had this in the F01 introduced in 2008 and was abolished with its facelift. Yes, but these cloth seats here are not just any cloth seats. You have to pay extra for the so-called wool-cashmere combination – with 800 euros plus other, then obligatory packages that are not available for less than 2000 euros – such as the “Connoisseur” package with a massage in the front and air-conditioned seats.
The world of upholstery suddenly seems different with the latest 7 Series – the sedan is launched with artificial leather “Veganza” as standard. A short time ago it was unthinkable that artificial leather was available in this segment at all. Anyhow, the armchairs actually seem quite comfortable, not too tight, not too soft – just right. But the 7 Series is still fascinated by things other than furniture, no matter how technical (yes, everything can be heated and cooled, adjusted in countless ways and equipped with a massage function).
But the big hit are the electric doors. All four portals open and close electrically – at the push of a button on the inside of the crystal decorative strip or by remote control. With the right setting, they also close when the brake pedal is pressed. And if there are obstacles in the way? No problem, the classy sedan is peppered with ultrasonic sensors – because nothing touches it. Well then.
The rest is almost unspectacular. Curved display with BMW Operating System 8, yes, of course, but you already know that from other models, although the 7 Series will also be able to play YouTube videos from next year. The giant screen has many menus and functions, some of which are displayed as tiles. Everything is quick and intuitive – after a while you’ll get the hang of it. If necessary, use the language assistant, almost always works. Also now again during the test drives.
So let’s go. Would you like key data? Two current-excited e-machines work without the use of rare earths, i.e. one per axle. Both attack together with 544 hp (as much as the top model 760i once had 13 years ago), push the 2.7-tonner through the area, of course, silently and powerfully – no wonder with 745 Newton meters of torque. The power development is restrained by the electronics and rises gently, so that no passenger feels nauseous. Nevertheless, after 4.7 seconds 100 km / h should be.
In an unobserved moment, you could try 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) on a lonely country road somewhere in the frequently occurring nowhere of the Californian desert, which works perfectly quickly and with pressure in the back. A maximum of 240 km/h is possible – fine for a purely electrically powered car. But it is better to decelerate again quickly, it also works with harmonious dosing.
Almost more striking than the sheer acceleration is how skillfully the engineers hide these 2700 kilograms. It’s a sleek, almost easy way to get around with the 7 Series. He’s almost lost a bit of the “heavy car” feeling that’s actually a must for the luxury class. So far anyway. Well, of course it’s extremely comfortable. Now just that little bit more agile in turns thanks to the fine-tuning of all components. With standard air suspension and rear-axle steering, every 7 Series now seems to resolve the contradiction between mass and driving dynamics. The lateral performance is impressive, the corners of the mouth are always up.
What else is there to say about the new 7 Series? It has flush (i.e. retractable) door handles, an illuminated kidney grille (pretty cool) and now two-tone paintwork. Oh yes, and in addition to electric and diesel drives, plug-in hybrids can also be selected. Anyone who chooses the battery-electric version at the basic rate from 135,900 euros (subsidies are no longer available in these spheres) should know that, given the 102 kWh net battery capacity, they at least do not have to be “range-afraid”. BMW promises to get at least 591 kilometers with one battery charge in combined WLTP operation. If you recharge with 195 kilowatts, you will ideally regain a range of 170 kilometers (WLTP) per ten minutes.
A quick word about the plug-in hybrid: The M760e xDrive (144,000 euros) equipped with 571 hp and in-line six-cylinder is even a bit more potent than all previously presented variants. And if you are hoping that BMW might still be merciful and at least implement the V8 PHEV strand from the XM for a European version with eight pots – Nicolardi will take the wind out of your sails. The technician emphasizes that the 7 Series should ultimately be a signpost for emotional electromobility. Waiting to see if customers see it the same way.
After all, the eight-cylinder is still standard in the luxury car segment. It cannot be ruled out that this will change. Maybe with the announced electric top version, which should scratch the 700 hp limit? It remains exciting.
