The embodiment of luxury and innovation

first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series
first drive: bmw 7 series

First Drive: BMW 7 Series

This is the new BMW 7 Series. It's the brand's flagship limo, with pricing starting at a cool R2,172,751. For that, you get an ultra-luxurious 5.4-metre-long land yacht that, on an entry level, weighs 2.1 tonnes. There is then no doubt that some will interpret these figures as a monstrous byproduct of both 21st-century excess and, appropriately, the inherently bloated nature that is par for the course in the steady implementation of EVs – a case in point being the 2.6-tonne i7 electric.

Others will note the unorthodox styling with its sensationally large grille, a pain-point for die-hard BMW fans, and suggest that BMW has lost its way with its latest models. Allow me to play the part of the Devil's Advocate here: The new BMW 7 Series is not what you'd call pretty by conventional standards. Sure, it has sleek lines complemented by the two-tier headlight stack that includes the usual bevvy of tech you'd associate with this kettle of a car – including BMW's Selective Beam system with high beams that look to eliminate glare for oncoming motorists. Add to this Swarovski crystal headlight inserts that cast a unique glow, and The 7 represents the new pinnacle of excess; no wonder it's so revered by the one-percenters. Remember my statement on the 7 Series not being conventionally pretty? It's not. Not by some stretch of the imagination, but, and this it does brilliantly, it casts a stately and imposing figure against the backdrop of monotony and convention. If that's any form of measuring stick, the BMW Design Department has done a fantastic job.

The business end

first drive: bmw 7 series

With the advancements, especially in other German quarters, in how drivers interact with their cars from a cabin perspective, I've been increasingly critical of BMW's overall cabin executions over the last while – especially in the mid- to higher-end spectrum of the brand's offerings. Imagine my surprise to find a BMW interior that is no terms short of a masterful execution in luxury. All seats are upholstered with soft, supportive leather that can be optionally swapped for either Merino leather or cashmere and wool wrapping – a new option now available as part of BMW's Individual selection.

The steering wheel has a thick, substantial feel, while unnecessary button clutter is eliminated with a digital-heavy user interactive approach. Mind, it's not perfect: when asking the BMW assistant, prompted with the “Hey BMW” phrase, to open the cubby, it decided to open all the windows at travel speed, despite recording my request perfectly on the Heads-Up Display. While the gigantic curved screen (consisting of an integrated 12.3″ driver display and a 14.9″ infotainment display) works brilliantly as a unit, some functions, like the four-zone climate control, feel crammed into the interface with more configurations than can possibly make sense in terms of ventilation.

first drive: bmw 7 series

Entertainment and comfort in the business end (for The 7, that'd be the back) is taken care of with a 31.3″ 8K high-resolution screen and a Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system that takes in-car entertainment to a lofty new level. Select 'Theatre Mode' on the armrest-mounted 5.5″ touchscreen control and the screen folds down, the blinds darken the rear of the car, and it's easy to get lost in hours of on-the-go entertainment as passing kilometres culminate into a multi-media blur.

Drive polish

first drive: bmw 7 series

As comfortable, inviting, and business-jet-like as the back is, BMW didn't neglect the drive dynamics of its mighty 7. In fact, it's a tough call to abandon the driving seat for all the opulence the rear offers. The reason is simple: the new BMW 7 Series represents an impressive blend of power and polish, be it the 740i M Sport with its relatively quiet startup, aided by a 48-Volt mild-hybrid system, or the all-electric i7 xDrive60. While the 6-cyl, inline engine in the 740i feels expectedly responsive, it's the i7 with its dual motors, combined power output of 400 kW, and gigantic 745 Nm of torque that took my breath away in its deliverability of power, despite its 2.6-tonne heft. Thanks to the lack of conventional mechanical components, the i7's electric drive is instantaneously delivered to all four wheels, taking care of the 0-100 km/h acceleration figure in a mere 4.7 secs, while the linear torque delivery makes overtaking a breeze.

The steering is precise, albeit on the lighter side for my liking, while the suspension is tuned to provide a smooth, responsive ride. Something the one-percenter in the back will be infinitely grateful for.

Is the 7 Series the best limo money can buy?

first drive: bmw 7 series

It depends on who you ask. Also, suppose you ignore diamond-emblazoned rear cupholders and LED-lit roof trimmings that emulate the constellations. In that case, it may be one of the best hyper-luxurious executive cruisers money can buy. With the 7 Series, I believe BMW has achieved the perfect balance of technology, luxury and substance. But…

BMW has made considerable strides forward in some areas, while some lesser-obvious areas feel overlooked. The self-opening and self-closing doors that shut with a considerable thud – no soft-close function… The all-aboard digital implementation makes something as usually simple as climate control feel overly layered and difficult to use. Navigating the entertainment screen in the back, while adding a true sense of luxurious depth, isn't as seemingly straightforward to use as you'd think. Items that are easily tweakable with an update and areas I reckon should have been more carefully considered.

Perhaps I'm knit-picking, and judging a car as fantastic as The 7 on these seemingly insignificant details is hardly fair. Is it a dealbreaker, though? Not by any stretch of the imagination because, well, it's just such a striking car.

BMW 740i Design Pure Excellence R2,160,000

BMW 740i M Sport Package R2,235,000

BMW 740i M Sport Package Pro R2,275,000

BMW 740d xDrive Design Pure Excellence R2,280,000

BMW 740d xDrive M Sport Package R2,355,000

BMW 740d xDrive M Sport Package Pro R2,395,000

BMW i7 xDrive60 Design Pure Excellence R2,825,000

BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport Package R2,900,000

BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport Package Pro R2,940,000

Keyword: First Drive: BMW 7 Series

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Evolved: Giving BMW’s G81 M3 Touring The CSL Treatment

My favourite BMWs are the ones you can’t actually buy. Even if you see them at a BMW showroom. A few months back, BMW Park Lane in London collaborated with Evolve Automotive. It was a great example of a manufacturer paying attention to the aftermarket, and getting involved with arguably the ...

View more: Evolved: Giving BMW’s G81 M3 Touring The CSL Treatment

2023 BMW iX M60 Review: Ramping up the Power

•    Auto123 reviews the 2023 BMW iX M60. BMW takes straight aim at Tesla and its top-selling Model X with the iX all-electric SUV’s new M60 edition. This is the third variant of the model BMW has put out, after the xDrive40 and iX xDrive50 that debuted with the 2022 ...

View more: 2023 BMW iX M60 Review: Ramping up the Power

2024 BMW 530i xDrive Is A Perfect Example Of Why Electric Cars Are Great

Photo: Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik Having entered its eighth generation, the BMW 5 Series is all new for 2024, and for the first time, there are fully electric variants of the iconic sports sedan. While those electric i5 models are moving the 5 Series lineup into the future, the ...

View more: 2024 BMW 530i xDrive Is A Perfect Example Of Why Electric Cars Are Great

BMW announce R12 nineT and R12 cruiser in rejuvenated boxer heritage range

A side view of the BMW R12 nineT 2024 BMW R12 being ridden A static view of the BMW R12 cruiser A pair of BMW R12 nineTs riding together Ten years on from the introduction of the first R nineT retro in 2013, BMW have pulled the covers off ...

View more: BMW announce R12 nineT and R12 cruiser in rejuvenated boxer heritage range

BMW’s Electric Gravel Bike Puts A Very Big, Very Fast Smile On Your Face

Photo: Jalopnik / Owen Bellwood Automakers around the world are looking for a way into the burgeoning electric bike market. Porsche bought up European bike builder Greyp to further its two-wheeled ambitions, Jeep partnered with American outfit QuietKat, and now BMW has a range of e-bikes built in partnership ...

View more: BMW’s Electric Gravel Bike Puts A Very Big, Very Fast Smile On Your Face

Imp By Name, Imp By Nature

Imp, (noun), a mischievous child or little devil. That word description is hardly something a standard Hillman Imp could embody, but James Williams‘ 1976 Imp – seen here on the Lancaster Pride of Ownership stand at the recent NEC Classic Motor Show – well and truly lives up to its name. When you think ...

View more: Imp By Name, Imp By Nature

The BMW M3 CS Is A Flawed Daily Driver But A Perfect Track Toy

This car was made for weekend racers.

View more: The BMW M3 CS Is A Flawed Daily Driver But A Perfect Track Toy

What is the BMW M3 top speed?

We list the top speed as well as the performance figures and 0-100 km/h sprint time of the latest-generation BMW M3. In 2021, BMW introduced the G80 generation M3 model. Like the E30 M3, introduced in 1986, the latest iteration embodies the trait of being a race car for the ...

View more: What is the BMW M3 top speed?

Which used BMW X1 is better: diesel or petrol?

BMW’s M Performance Parts Kit Now Includes Centre-lock Wheels

Watch A Pristine BMW E30 Go Up In Flames After It Springs A Leak

This Nurburgring Compilation Video Is Filled With Out-Of-Control BMWs

Gusheshe BMW E30 Spontaneously Combusts in Mzansi Street

What is the BMW X3 top speed?

This Awkward Looking SUV Will Replace The BMW iX3 In 2025

Listening To This V10-Swapped BMW M3 Will Be The Best Thing You Do Today

The 2024 BMW 5 Series Is Still Great With A Gas Engine: First Drive Review

BMW, Mercedes Saw EVs Make Up 15% Of Their Total U.S. Sales In Q3 2023

After 32 Years, Esther Mahlangu’s Iconic BMW Will Return to SA

Here’s how much you’ve gotta pay for the new BMW i5 monthly

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel