From Russia with ... legroom
PH samples a taste of Russian car culture from the security of the revised BMW 7 Series
4x4s - luxury or otherwise - dominate
BMW is certainly playing the money = power card. Not only is it using the Heathrow by Invitation service for the connecting flight to Germany (don't fret, I'm sure it got a good rate, it supplies the on-airport 7 Series 'shuttle buses'), the trip is bookended by exclusive, out of hours access to two of Saint Petersburg's most famous tourist attractions. The Hermitage and Catherine's Palace are opening their doors early and late, respectively, just because.
Russian taste for luxury bling well noted
This is the first significant international car launch I'm aware of that has ever taken place here. For the 7 Series it makes sense, as the consistent growth in Russia's appetite for luxury goods makes this an important market for BMW. Changes to the car are modest visually, but significant under the skin. More power, greater efficiency is by now the usual jazz, but responding to criticism about the ride quality, BMW has thoroughly overhauled the chassis, swapping bushes, dampers - even top mounts - and fitting air suspension as standard at the rear.
Leaving Saint Petersburg airport we're whisked out into the evening rush hour traffic. It is perhaps foolish, but I wasn't expecting the automotive landscape to be so extensively familiar. In fact, compared to your average European metropolitan area only the Cyrillic script and the disproportionate number of Ladas is genuinely jarring. For no properly conceived reason, this very familiarity seems weird.
A few crumbly Ladas to remind of context
It's not just Ladas, actually - there are big old Volgas as well. It dawns on me that these cars mostly occupy the road space taken up by timeworn examples of everyday vehicles back home. The majority are battered, driven by the young, or the old - they are the cheap secondhand car market in Russia, because there is little alternative. Hyundai, Kia and Dacia are their newer counterparts here, as elsewhere, although the latter is badged Renault.
It's raining. The traffic is heavy, seething. The roads quite literally being dug up around us. There are electric buses and there are trams. And a lot of SUVs.
The next morning we're dispatched on our own, hands at the wheel of the new and improved 750i. Still a V8 - thankfully - this now has 449hp (10 per cent up) and yet officially records just 199g/km CO2 (25 per cent down). We've been warned not to leave the car unattended at any point, and that the sat-nav is unreliable due to the rapid and rabid road construction. It's picture books and concentration to make sure we spot the correct Cyrillic turnings.
Park M - not a secret military base as it turns out
Our route takes us from the Hermitage to Park M (one of only two exclusively BMW M dealerships in the world...) and then out into the country, where we encounter trucks and so much traffic. In the Saint Petersburg region Russia is on the move - where are all these people going? The landscape is like Europe writ large, so therefore also strangely American. But perhaps this is just a trait of every massive county. The police are a constant roadside presence, in gnarly Ladas mostly. And again with the SUVs - I see more Hummers in a day than I have in my entire life before.
In an environment where he who hath the biggest car maketh the most progress, the 750i is a dream. This engine is fantastic. Shouldering two tonnes, it is as utterly decisive as you need when two-lane roads are commonly host to four. Not sure the surfacing makes this the best place to show off the revised ride quality, though. Bumpy is the kindest word.
Not hard to see why these are so popular
On the other hand, the way the 7 responds so immediately to steering inputs is an asset when the next near miss is only moments away. We manage to stay clear of trouble - police a cooling balm - but see some sights in the process. I begin to eye the multiple Mercedes G500s with appreciation. Big power, brutish looks and battering ram build quality are attributes of desire in these parts. The BMW has a fair helping of them, too.
That night I lie awake in my hotel room, listening to what sounds like street racing in the distance, and it occurs to me that instead of getting more conventional, my automotive experience of Saint Petersburg has only got stranger. Today I've spotted rally-inspired Samaras, airbrush art on an X6 and a whole bunch of average commuters mixed in with a significant (and very obvious) minority who drive like absolute mentalists. And for once none of these was a journalist.
BMW 750i
Engine: 4,395cc V8 TwinPower Turbo
Power: 449hp@5,500rpm
Torque: 479lb ft@2,000 - 4,500rpm
0-62mph: 4.8 sec
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
Weight: 2,015kg (EU)
MPG: 32.8mpg
CO2: 199g/km
Price: £71,340 (basic list)
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sooo, BMW made world presentation of current generation of 7-series in Moscow some years ago and now they do a presentation of the face-lifted version in SPb? Shows which market they do like and which market loves them back
about a comment of the G-Wagen and 'late adopters'. not sure of the 'late-adopters' G-Wagen became a cult machine in Russia at least in late 90-s. that would be something like 15-13 years ago.
Initially (in 90-92) 4-runner was very popular: you could put down a rear window (of 5th door) on the run and this was used extensively in criminal wars to shoot at the other cars.
Then, Grand Cherokee became a hit for some years. and for a shot time - Suburbans and Tahoe.
And after that G-Wagen became a definite weapon of choice. Black with tanned windows. Especially Brabus. When I left Russia Brabus versions were way more popular than anything by AMG (not to say that AMG wasn't)
Of course, at the right price http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3699940.htm
Of course, at the right price http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3699940.htm
No point comparing it to the brand new one in the article.
You might as well compare it to this one as well.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3854945.htm
Compare the E34 5 series and E38 7 series, they are very similar indeed and that was 20-ish years ago.
You're right, 3/5/7 have looked similar I the past. Look at the e30 3 series and the e28 5 series too.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff