New BMW 7-series

The new sixth-generation BMW 7-series is the latest in a long line of luxury cars from BMW. Often a pioneer as far as technology is concerned, the new 7 combines a strong focus on opulent luxury, plenty of new tech and an even stronger focus on driving manners

The new 7-series will come to India in the long-wheelbase guise, powered by a six-cylinder diesel and a twin-turbo V8 petrol. The car has an evolutionary design that looks similar at first glance to the current car; but look closer and it clearly has a new nose and tail. The BMW kidney grille now is bigger and features active louvers that open and close to improve airflow through to the radiator. There are new optional high-tech laser headlights in pods that stretch all the way round back from the grille and the new 7 makes widespread use of advanced air curtains around the wheels, for improved aero performance. The slightly sleeker form also provides it with a class-leading drag co-efficient of just 0.24.

This new-generation car, however, has a lot of catching up to do. The new Mercedes S-class, launched last year, really took the game ahead, pioneering plenty of new technology and adding massively to its comfort quotient, and BMW will have to be at the top of its game to match it. But the new 7 seems well up to the task. The sixth-gen four-door comes loaded with a host of new technology. Among its highlights are intelligent lightweight carbonfibre construction, new-generation engines, a high-quality interior with the latest in connectivity and even new gesture-based controls. Also available in the near future, an autonomous parking function that enables you to step out and park the car at the press of a button.

BMW has always tried to make the 7-series the best to drive in its class, despite being an out and out luxury car. For this sixth-generation model though, the focus has been widened.

The agility and sportiness inherent in the previous versions remain at the core of the new model, but this new car focusses heavily on comfort as well, and it does so by using air suspension both at the front and the rear. In addition to this are two additional systems; rear wheel steering and active anti-roll bars.

The 7-series now also offers four differing modes via an optional Driver Experience Control function. You can also dial up Comfort, Comfort plus (a first), Sport and Adaptive modes, the last of which is similar to the one used by Rolls Royce. It automatically adjusts the suspension and gearbox via input from the car's sensors, and also reads the road ahead via the GPS system, and acts accordingly, selecting the right gear for the job.

There’s a new suppleness to the way the sixth-gen sedan gets along, both around town and on the open road. In Comfort Plus, the new BMW is much quieter and noticeably smoother than its predecessor. The suspension is far less sensitive to surface texture and has greater ability to sponge up bumps, making it more relaxing to travel in the back.

In 750iL guise, the new BMW feels very muscular. Its twin-turbo V8 motor allows you to either burble along on small throttle openings or launch into full-bore drags that are startlingly quick. The V8 puts out a very strong 445bhp and because this new car is lighter, it feels very quick. 0-100 comes up in a startling 4.3 seconds, as the V8 winds hard all the way to 7000rpm, pushing this barge forward with plenty of refined punch.

Switch to Sport, however, and air springs, dampers and active anti-roll bars tighten up the whole suspension, and the car seems to just shrink to the size of a well-mannered 5-series. Superb damper tuning provides excellent body control and it really does allow you to attack corners like you wouldn't believe. It truly does have impressive agility for such a big car. And there is loads and loads of grip too, which at times, gets you to forget what type of vehicle you really are driving.

The new car's interior receives a big update with a new dashboard that is finished in higher grade materials very similar to those on the new S-class. Higher grade wood creates the right ambience, the more supple, butter-soft leather feels great to sit on and tastefully done metallic buttons help it provide a more luxurious feel as well.

Gesture control is also offered for the first time. It uses a three-dimensional sensor mounted near the mirror to detect hand movements that control functions. You can twirl your fingers clockwise to increase the volume and you can point two fingers to change the mode, among others, and the best part is that it works like a treat. And there's also wireless charging for Android phones and a scent diffuser. 

Among the other highlights are new digital instruments that change colour depending on the driving mode, a beautifully finished multi-function steering wheel, a touch-sensitive air-conditioning system and revised switchgear. A new-generation iDrive system with a new touchscreen makes a debut here too. It allows you to operate various functions in a similar style to that of a smartphone with pinch, point and swipe commands, and this now makes the experience more intuitive.

The new 7-series is a significantly better car than its predecessor. Its evolutionary styling may not be exciting initially, but its classy interior, high-tech features and improved ride and sharp handling elevate it to a new level of excellence, making it a much more serious rival to the S-class. It's almost as good from the back seat and much nicer to drive, and that puts the new 7 back in the game. Worth waiting for; yes certainly, the S-class is now no longer an automatic choice.