RE: BMW 7 Series: Driven

RE: BMW 7 Series: Driven

Saturday 17th October 2015

BMW 7 Series: Driven

PH plays Transporter with a 7 Series in the south of France, but should you choose one over an S-Class?



Typically when a BMW 7 Series features on PistonHeads it's a Shed Seven, a worthy and popular old E38 that has just sneaked in under £1,000. Still look rather classy, don't they? But this new car is a really significant model for both BMW and PH, not just those looking for a bargain barge a few years from now.

It's a sharper looking 7 than before
It's a sharper looking 7 than before
This new G11 - yes, we're onto G numbers now - is not only tasked with replacing a fairly ordinary predecessor, but it must also introduce a raft of technology that will eventually make its way to the more mainstream cars. It's easy to forget in this world of BMW SUVs, MPVs and crossovers that the 7 Series is the flagship, the pioneering model that we can look to for a glimpse into the future 5 Series, 3 Series and so on. Finally, from a PH perspective, the traditional saloons and coupes are surely what drew so many fans to the brand, and a class-leading 7 Series will make many people very happy. Nobody loves BMW for the X5, right?

The 7 Series experience begins in the back, of course. A brief passenger ride from airport to yacht - natch - aims to replicate the typical journey of a 7 Series owner. They aren't likely to drive it, a point we will return to. The rear of the 7 Series is sumptuous, the combination of soft leather, rich wood and cool metals combining to create a really luxurious environment as soon as bum touches seat. There's acres of space in the long-wheelbase car, beautifully crisp displays and an expensive feel to every surface and control. An optional 'Heat Package' means even the armrest is warm. For feel-good opulence there can surely be little better this side of Rolls Royce.

This is the seat you want
This is the seat you want
On French autoroutes the refinement is sublime, wind and engine noise kept to an absolute minimum while you get comfortable with one of eight massages and a headrest like a pillow. It turns out a bird is swallowed up by the grille and nobody notices; it's that well insulated. A quick comparison reveals the 19-inch wheels certainly improve the ride over the optional 20s at lower speeds but both are suitably plush at motorway speeds. Air suspension is now standard at both axles on every model, the test cars no doubt assisted on the comfort front by the fitment of 'Executive Drive Pro'. A £2,450 option, it works with the air suspension and variable dampers to theoretically provide the best comfort or control where required. The active roll stabilisation is now electromechanical, with the anti-roll bars slackened off in a straight line to provide maximum comfort. But an 'anticipatory chassis control function' uses data from the nav to know when to firm things back up again. Clever.

BMW claims 25 new technological innovations for the new 7 Series, with 13 industry firsts. They vary from the surprise and delight to the incredibly useful, with presumably little hope for the earnest Shedman to remedy in 20 years time. Whatever, it's important to note the technology and engineering that can not be seen before becoming too carried away with that which you can. The 7 Series is now up to 130kg lighter than before thanks to a construction that uses a lot of carbon reinforced plastic - tech of course seen on the i8 - with aluminium for the bonnet, roof and bonnet. The centre of gravity is lowered, the balance is still 50:50 and the unsprung weight is said to have been reduced by 15 per cent; all of these lend, well, weight to BMW's assertion that the 7 Series remains "unashamedly a driver's car."

Adaptive dampers and air suspension standard
Adaptive dampers and air suspension standard
To the fancy stuff. 'Gesture Control' is a real highlight, allowing calls to be dismissed, the navigation display to be pinched and grabbed plus the volume adjusted with a series of set hand movements. And no, it won't accept any rude ones... In our brief experience it worked extremely well. The 'Touch Command' Samsung tablet opens up a whole world of apps and media from the rear seat to the pair of 10.2-inch displays, is removable from the car and integrates very nicely into the Executive Lounge rear console thank you very much. Who wants a middle-seat passenger anyway? They would probably only interrupt your Vitality Programme massage, allowing passengers "to engage in active training to revitalise the body on longer journeys." That's before the standard Wi-Fi is mentioned, the staggering array of parking cameras or the Welcome Light Carpet, using LEDS in the side skirts to bathe the car's perimeter in light when it's dark. It's said to be modelled on a dragonfly. Finally, a mention for the Sky Lounge Panoramic roof, a feast of glass and LEDs to replicate a starry sky. Bet the engineers who worked on lowering the CoG will really appreciate that...

So then, to actually driving the 7 Series. Unlocked with the new Display Key - don't drop it, a replacement is £230 - marvel at the huge new head-up display and away you go in almost complete silence.

'Carbon core' means 130kg saving
'Carbon core' means 130kg saving
As the likely best-seller, all the launch cars are 730ds. BMW is very keen to point out in the tech briefing how much cleaner and faster the 7 is than an S-Class, with no mention of any rivals from Jaguar and Audi. With 265hp it isn't imperiously fast, but the 457lb ft ensures the 730d never feels overawed. Throughout, the straight-six remains supremely smooth and the gearbox a perfect partner.

But more importantly, any mention of power and dynamics comes towards the end of the press conference, comfortably behind the push for wellbeing, the range of assistance features and the Ambient Air Package. Despite BMW's claims it's a secondary concern, one that's borne out on the road. It's easily capable enough and utterly benign, but a drive on the Route Napoleon should never be so forgettable. The steering is disconcertingly light and the whole car feels aloof, the various Driver Performance Control switch modes appearing to do little but make the throttle mushier or sharper. The most fun we have is chasing an impeccably driven Swift Sport down the hill.

Stunningly competent but a little aloof
Stunningly competent but a little aloof
And here's the 7 Series quandary. As a passenger experience it is second to none, one that fulfils BMW's desire to 'create an inspiring mode of luxury transport'. But without much in terms of driver engagement, is the 7 Series not left rather without a USP? The Mercedes S-Class has forged a reputation for offering ultimate opulence and comfort, one that's reflected in its ongoing popularity. The Audi A8 offers complete anonymity and minimalist style, with the Jaguar XJ remaining as a less accommodating but more rewarding choice.

That the 7 Series was more enjoyable from the rear seat than the front is probably how it should be for a luxury saloon in 2015. BMW says the majority of sales are now likely to be long-wheelbase for the first time, indicating how these cars are used. It's now more efficient and more technologically advanced than ever too, which will surely impress the right people. As a luxury device it's a fine achievement, but as a BMW the 7 Series leaves something to be desired.


BMW 730d
Engine
: 2,993cc, in-line six, diesel
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 265@4,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 457@2,000-2,500rpm
0-62mph: 6.1sec (6.2)
Top Speed: 155mph (limited)
Weight: 1755kg
MPG: 60.1 (58.9)
CO2: 124g/km (127g/km)
Price: £64,530 (£67,400)

[Figures in brackets for long-wheelbase car]

 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Author
Discussion

P4ROT

Original Poster:

1,219 posts

192 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
The S-class is way more desirable for me (and has been since the Bangle design era).

rohrl

8,711 posts

144 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
What a mess.



BMW's styling department has lost their way so badly.

Vee12V

1,329 posts

159 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
What a mess. Still S-class for me.

belleair302

6,835 posts

206 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
If you just wish to ride in the back then have a Lexus LS, way more comfortable. Porsche Panamera to drive or a full fat Bentley 4 door. Prefer the BMW to the Merc which looks odd from all angles.

dbdb

4,311 posts

172 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
Not a good looking car; bland exterior and fussily styled inside. Still, provided it rides well and has decent quality leather on its seats it should be a comfortable and luxurious thing. I am not sure I would describe the BMW inline diesel six as 'supremely smooth' though - unless they have improved it considerably.

deadslow

7,962 posts

222 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
that is one big ugly mofo

e21Mark

16,205 posts

172 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
I really wanted to like this.

BMW have built some truly lovely cars but this it's so hard to equate this as being from the same marque.

Liquid Tuna

1,398 posts

155 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
I like the back. The rest looks too fussy for me. But then I'm not the target-market.

Oakman

325 posts

157 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
Possibly the only one its entire production run in...... White !


Snap up a 'collectors item'


On a marginally more serious note, surely you're missing the point PH ?

It is unashamedly designed to be a luxury limousine, wherein the corporate or possibly private business owner, will be transported within from the rear seats. The strong inference being that the owner is not the one expected to be doing the driving, but their chauffeur/driver - who doesn't happen to be Jason Staham's character.

It is now not a driver focussed but executive passenger focused machine, at which it appears to excel. By the way, is their any coincidence that BMW own a certain Ultra Premium luxury brand vehicle - as name checked in the article ?

I have been a passenger in the rear of one of those Sir Alan machines, a special experience indeed given a taxi ride in it, the chauffeur reported it was 'interesting' to drive in the capital where it lived, its huge size and presence necessitating all round camera/video information ! Bit of a Barge was his professional opinion......


somynameiswhat

277 posts

128 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
How in the world is the replacement key for this car, which has a display on this, is cheaper to replace than my bloody XC90?!?

EricE

1,945 posts

128 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
I wonder who decided to make these press shots in white? confused
It's no looker but I'm confident it would look better in black, dark blue, silver or grey.

philmots

4,630 posts

259 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
That looks like an M Sport car too, I'm pretty certain it'll look enter as an SE just like the current generation 7.

I'm sure I read in another article there wasn't to be any petrol V8's, that's more concerning!

e21Mark

16,205 posts

172 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
EricE said:
I wonder who decided to make these press shots in white? confused
It's no looker but I'm confident it would look better in black, dark blue, silver or grey.
I'm guessing they're banking on the majority of sales being in climates where white is a benefit?

Deerfoot

4,897 posts

183 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
Looks a more coherent design than the present S Class to my eyes.


amgmcqueen

3,343 posts

149 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
Looks like a beached beluga whale......tragic!

unsprung

5,467 posts

123 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
Agree with those who are grumbling about the loss of design leadership by BMW.

Also -- and no snickering in the back -- there must be a notable amount of market pressure rising up, from below. Offerings like the newly redesigned Genesis, here. Perhaps not in the UK, but in other markets.


SteveSteveson

3,209 posts

162 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
If it was my money, which it probably never will be, I would have to go with the XJ. Perhaps it does not have the toys, but it seems to be a nicer place to be and much nicer to look at. Second hand the choice might be different, but for new it would be Jag every from the current choices.

only1ian

684 posts

193 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
as a former bmw man e30, e36, e38, e39 and an alpina b10 I feel BMW have nothing on the latest Mercedes products in terms of design and performance. The latest G11 doesnt make me want to rush back

Baryonyx

17,990 posts

158 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
It looks absolutely dreadful. BMW have really lost their way, their styling is just a disaster these days.

Comparing white luxury cars, the Kia K900 is far better looking. Never thought I'd see the day that the Korean car looked better than the German car, but here we are!






Mr E

21,583 posts

258 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
Irrelevant, but; if that 730d does the 60 sprint in just over six seconds - that's very impressive.