The 7 Series sits atop the BMW line — its halo car. While other European luxury and performance automakers might choose to make such a car an extreme expression of speed, power and stylistic excess, BMW opts for comfort, sophistication and technological evolution.
The latest incarnation of BMW 7 Series honors all of those intentions. In fact, its tech advancements are so prominent that they up the ante for the German car maker’s entire line — and the rest of the industry as a whole.
During a recent media event set between Manhattan and the private Monticello Motor Club in upstate New York, BMW looked to demonstrate the capabilities of the 2016 7 Series as it emerges with an entire redesign externally, in the cockpit and in the backseat of power.
Related: BMW 7 Series: Chauffeured Experience
BMW’s goal was to demonstrate the complete capabilities of the 7 Series while re-creating the life experience of its buyer. First of all, that buyer lives the good life. He or she frequents five star luxury hotels like the host Park Hyatt in Manhattan’s Midtown West (a block from Central Park). It’s no coincidence that the 7 Series is the official vehicle of the hotel.
When not behind the wheel of the 7 Series, its owner foregoes any semblance of taxis or subway and helicopters to more distant destinations. So, BMW flew the gathered auto journalists to Monticello by chopper. (Because it can.) Once in upstate New York, those writers could take the standard 7 Series out for a tour around the lush green hills or push the car’s performance limits on the racetrack in the special, sport-tuned M editions.
According to BMW, the previous incarnation of the 7 Series sold more than 370,000 vehicles, setting the car up as a highly successful offering. The automaker insists its innovations in reinventing the car from scratch speak to its commitment to advancement and indicates how the entire make’s line will progress into the future.
All versions of 7 Series employ more extensive use of carbon fiber than any preceding BMW model. That makes the car lighter and more responsive without any loss of structural integrity. Driving that frame will be different engines in different trim levels.
The 2016 740i and 750i both arrive with rear-wheel drive. The 750i xDrive trim offers All Wheel Drive. The 7401 packs a turbocharged, TwinPower 3.0 liter, in-line six cylinder engine that produces 320 horsepower. The 750i ups it to a turbocharged, 4.4 liter TwinPower V8 putting out 445 horsepower.
Fuel efficiency numbers haven’t been released as of yet, but BMW claims both engines improve MPG over their previous versions.
While some of the new technology finds its way into the backseat to enhance the experience of the chauffeured passenger, the driver enjoys a suite of improved comfort and safety features such as active collision avoidance that provides automatic steering and braking with manual input. In other words, the car can stop itself or avoid a sudden collision — though the driver can over-ride that function to provide for his or her own safety.
The new 7 Series will be the first car with active gesture control for the infotainment system. BMW is reportedly still working with U.S. regulators on how to include these functions, while Europe is on a faster track to enjoying the advancement.
BMW will also offer a more advancement self parking facility. While other makes can automatically parallel park for feeble, undeserving drivers who can’t do it themselves, the 7 Series will park itself in a garage if left in the driveway. Once again, U.S. regulators are working this over with the engineers.
The driving experience is surprisingly easy to describe: Completely smooth, grounded and reassuring — whether on track or on the highway. The car enjoys that expected BMW sharpness and refinement with enough power to respond on demand.
Projected pricing tops out around $96,000, depending on trim levels. The car is set to arrive before the end of the year.
