The centre console switches are either furnished in aluminium or have gone touchscreen as well, while the head-up display is 75 percent larger than before.
Also new is BMW’s gimmicky gesture control. Although this feature has already been seen in cars like the new Toyota Camry, BMW’s version actually works.
Twirl a finger clockwise/anti-clockwise in front of the iDrive screen to adjust music volume, point/swipe away to accept/reject calls, or program a specific gesture to activate your favourite function.
But sorry, you cannot program your non-friendly finger to activate the horn and high beam if another motorist cuts in front of you (I took the liberty to check).
While gestures for phone/audio functions are more an exercise in technological ability than practicality (there are buttons on the wheel for these), surround view is where it gets freakishly high-tech.
Select it and the screen shows a fully rendered 3-D image of the car, which you rotate using a circling motion, enabling you to look around the vehicle when in tight situations. No doubt beneficial for a limo of this size.
Towkays who enjoy basking in their success and leaving the driving to a hired hand can opt for the Executive Lounge configuration.
With a press of a button, or with the 7-inch in-car tablet that controls everything bar the chauffeur’s choice of cologne, you can configure any seat (including the one in front) until you’re happily sprawled like a snoozing tycoon.
Helping to set the perfect mood are 15,000 interior lights, including ambient lighting from the B-pillars and a “starry night” impression from the panoramic sunroof, the latter inspired by Rolls-Royce’s Starlight headliner.
It’s a close call, but there will be towkays who think the rival S-Class’ extravagant cabin is an even more special place to relax in. However, there’s no doubt the interior of the 7 Series is right up there in terms of luxury, indulgence and quality. It all comes down to personal preference when it comes to colour theme and interior design.
Equipment-wise, the 7 Series has all the bells and whistles you’d expect of a flagship – LED laser headlights, crossing traffic warning, steering and lane control assistant, active side collision protection, rear collision prevention, adaptive cruise control and traffic jam assist. The last “bell/whistle” facilitates semi-automated driving at low speeds.
Three models are available in Singapore from this month (November): the diesel 730d, the petrol 740i and the range-topping 750i. Every variant can be specified with the long wheelbase, but only the 750i gets xDrive (BMW’s four-wheel-drive system) as standard.
Slated to arrive later is the 740e with eDrive plug-in hybrid technology, perfect for technopreneurs with an eco conscience.
After years of playing second fiddle in the tycoon saloon stakes, BMW’s flagship has finally bridged the gap to the Mercedes S-Class in terms of stateliness, luxuriousness and towkayness.
Furthermore, the new-generation 7 Series boasts an athleticism that is characteristically BMW, should the big boss need to rush for that boardroom meeting.
Traditional towkays who swear by their S-Classes probably still won’t switch to the latest 7 Series, but the BMW will at least put their allegiance under pressure like never before.
BMW 750Li 4.4 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type? V8, 32-valves, turbocharged
Capacity? 4395cc
Bore x stroke ?89mm x 88.3mm
Compression ratio? 10:5
Max power ?450bhp at 5500-6000rpm
Max torque ?650Nm at 1800-4500rpm
Power to weight ?235bhp per tonne
Gearbox 8-speed automatic with manual select
Driven wheels All
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 4.5 seconds
Top speed 250km/h (governed)
Consumption 12km/L (combined)
CO2 emission 192g/km
SUSPENSION
Front Double wishbones, air springs, adaptive dampers, active anti-roll bar
Rear Multi-link, air springs, adaptive dampers, active anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs
TYRES
Type Pirelli P Zero
Size 245/50 R18
SAFETY
Airbags 8
Traction aids ABS, ESC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 5238mm
Width 1902mm
Height 1485mm
Wheelbase 3210mm
Kerb weight 1915kg
Turning circle ?12.9m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE To be announced
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Faultless ride quality, stonking performance, truly luxurious interior
– Styling lacks presence, “air gesture” feature is a bit gimmicky
