► BMW 7-series prototype driven
► We test the 740Li straight six
► Target: S-class luxury with BMW fun
Whenever a car maker launches a key model, rivals tear one down to fathom the competition. There’ll be much to mull with the new 2016 BMW 7-series.
Mission 7-series: more fun, with proper pampering
Merc S-class comfort with BMW-style driving ‘joy’. The debut of all-round air suspension is key to comfort, together with a new Comfort Plus setting on the Driving Experience Control switch that tailors powertrain, suspension and steering maps. The dynamic bit? Choose familiar Sport for the rigor-mortis experience or new Adaptive, which… you guessed.
We’re driving a prototype long-wheelbase 740i on smooth test facility tarmac, but – with caveats in mind – the soporific lull of Comfort Plus feels extraordinarily compliant. Nod off and adaptive cruise control has stop-and-go functionality for feet-free traffic tailing (and Jagger-doing-the-chicken results) and new all-electric steering will track true for around 10 seconds, disturbing your slumber with a little beep just prior to impact. Tempting, too, to let go of the all-electric helm – James Bond got more steering feel from the back of his remote-control Seven.
Does it still handle like a BMW?
During high-speed runs in Sport and Adaptive on a wet, twisty road course, the new 7-series can certainly carve, with strong front-end grip, rear-wheel steering to aid agility – now also with all-wheel drive – cohesive direction changes and excellent traction.
Georg Kacher certainly had fun in it on the same course, being goaded by BMW’s head of vehicle dynamics Peter Langen. ‘He’s a fearless man,’ says Georg. ‘He said “Waitwaitwait – now boot it!” so I did. As the torque wave hit the rear wheels, everything happened at once: a little slip, a little smoke, a little sideways action. “Seeee! I told you,” Langen said. Power oversteer worked even better in third gear. It’s a very tacticle luxury car. Despite the bulk, it is as creamy, chuckable and confidence-inspiring as a 335i.’
Verdict
It is certainly an exec that covers ground rapidly and with likeable assurance despite its size, but despite Georg’s antics I think it feels a bit too serious to be truly comfortable undoing its top button. Does this matter in a class more concerned about legroom, comfort, technology and safety, areas where the 7-series excels? Probably not.
Specs
Price when new: | £65,000 |
On sale in the UK: | 2016 |
Engine: | 2979cc 24v straight-six turbo, 360bhp @ 5800rpm, 340lb ft @ 1300rpm (all est) |
Transmission: | Eight-speed auto, rear-wheel drive |
Performance: | 5.4sec 0-62mph, 155mph (limited), 39mpg, 165g/km CO2 (all est) |
Weight / material: | 1790kg (est)/steel, aluminium and CFRP |
Dimensions (length/width/height in mm): | tbc |
Original Article http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/bmw/bmw-7-series-prototype-2015-review/