Image: BMW
Image: BMW
Image: BMW
Image: BMW
Image: BMW
New ModelsBy: Siyavuya Mbaduli
45 years after the debut of the BMW 7-Series, the seventh generation takes the stage as the most advanced and innovative vehicle in the luxury sedan segment. At the same time, the new edition captures the imagination with an overall design consistency unmatched by any rival.
Image: BMW
The car immediately stands out as it features a distinctive front fascia with a massive kidney grille that is flanked by split lighting units. This design debuted on the facelifted X7 and will be unique to the company’s flagship vehicles as a distinguishing feature. The i7 also has chrome accents that give the car a premium and luxurious look.
The new 7’s cabin takes cues from the electric BMW iX SUV but focuses on opulence and technology. BMW’s now ubiquitous curved display pairs a 12,3-inch gauge cluster with a 14,9-inch touchscreen under a single pane of glass, running the latest iDrive 8 software.
Image: BMW
The entry-level BMW 740i has a turbocharged 3,0-litre straight-6 petrol engine with a 48 V mild-hybrid system, producing 280 kW of power and 540 N.m of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. With a top speed of 240 km/h, the 740i has a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 5,4 seconds. Pricing for the 740i starts at R2 160 000.
The 740d xDrive derivative will offer a 3,0-litre straight-6 turbodiesel that generates 210 kW of power and 650 N.m of torque. The reworked diesel engine in conjunction with the mild-hybrid setup helps the 740d xDrive reach 100 km/h from rest in 5,8 seconds. Pricing will start at around R2 280 000.
As for the top-of-the-range i7 xDrive60 model, its dual-motor setup enables an output of 400 kW of power and 745 N.m of torque. The i7 xDrive60 will go from 0-100 km/h in 4,7 seconds and its 106 kWh battery enables a range of up to 625 km. The top speed is limited to 240 km/h and claimed range is between 590 and 625 km. The i7 will go from a dead stop to 100 km/h in 4,7 seconds. Pricing for the prestige i7 starts at R2 825 000
Image: BMW
The BMW 7 series is available in three specification packages: Design Pure Excellence, the M Sport Package and the M Sport Package Pro. As in other EVs, power delivery is instantaneous and BMW claims the car accelerates in near silence. However, the quietness can be broken by an electric melody created in collaboration with Hans Zimmer. BMW bills the sound as a “strikingly transparent timbre with spherical components” that deliver feedback based on the movement of the accelerator.
Keyword: Pricing and Spec – the prestige BMW 7-Series