BMW 7 Series gets a face-lift
Ugly uber-barges become slightly less so now
Three years after its debut BMW has tweaked the company's range of Chris Bangle-designed über-barges, which attracted much opprobrium at launch time and reportedly haven't been as successful as the company might have wished.
Due for launch in the spring, the range gets what BMW describes as "interior fine-tuning, dynamic developments and exterior styling enhancements". In other words, a face-lift -- plus some new engines -- and some welcome weight-saving measures.
Putting a brave face on it, BMW's UK boss Jim O’Donnell said, "At its UK launch in 2002, the 7 Series marked a radical departure from traditional, conservative luxury car design. While some in the media questioned the styling, customers were clearly attracted to its uniqueness and driving dynamics and the car has become the best-selling 7 Series ever. I am confident that the new engine range and subtle refinements will ensure the new 7 Series continues this success in the years to come."
New engines
All the new wide-ranging 7 Series cars get new engines apart from the 760i -- BMW reckons they get more power and flexibility without compromising fuel economy. The top of the range 760i retains its 6.0-litre V12 engine delivering 445bhp at 6,000rpm and 442lb-ft of torque at 3,950rpm. This gets the car from zero to 62mph in 5.5 seconds - which is not shabby for a motor weighing 2,290Kg.
In the UK, the biggest seller in the range is the 730d that accounts for 56 per cent of total 7 Series sales. The 730d engine has been extensively revised and now gets an all-aluminium cylinder block that reduces the weight of the engine by 25Kg. As a result of this weight reduction and BMW’s new third-generation common rail diesel technology (including piezo-injectors, a faster and more efficient form of injection), power increases by 12 per cent to 228bhp at 4,000rpm while torque is four per cent higher at 383lb-ft, developed between 2,000 and 2,750rpm.
The 730i now features the new lightweight 3.0-litre magnesium aluminium composite engine recently unveiled in the 630i and 330i. The new powerplant delivers 258bhp at 6,600rpm, up 12 per cent compared with its predecessor, and 221lb-ft of torque at 2,500 – 4,000rpm. As a consequence, reckons BMW, the new 730i offers the best power-to-weight ratio and highest output per litre of any car in its class, while keeping fuel consumption at current levels.
The 740i replaces the previous 735i with a 4.0-litre V8 whose power is up 13 per cent and torque increased by eight per cent. The 745i becomes the 750i, featuring an all-new 4.8-litre engine. Delivering 362bhp at 6,300rpm and 361lb-ft at 3,400rpm, the zero to 62mph sprint is dispatched in a very reasonable 5.9 seconds.
In addition, there are chassis tweaks for more precise steering and a slightly wider track for better stability. Customers can specify two separate optional suspension choices, depending on their preference for ride comfort. The Sport model brings a more sporting and agile drive. The Adaptive Drive package combines BMW’s Dynamic Drive active anti-roll bar and Electronic Damper Control (EDC) system. Dynamic Drive converts body roll during cornering into hydraulic pressure to deliver a near-flat cornering experience. EDC offers three separate ride settings – Comfort, Normal and Sport.
External face-lift
From the front, there is a new headlamp and bumper design, changes to the kidney grilles and a bigger bonnet power bulge. The rear of the car gets new tail lamps, bumper and a chrome strip running the width of the boot lid, and bolder side sills.
You can choose from four new paint colours – Monaco Blue, Michigan Blue, Deep Green and Barbera Red, three leather upholstery finishes – Cream Beige, Lava Blue and Nature Brown alongside a range of new 18 and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, BMW says the iDrive system has been subtly revised to make it more user friendly and to assist navigation with improved menu guidance to move between the eight areas of the Control Display.
Spec upgrade
All cars now feature xenon headlamps, a headlamp cleaning system and Brake Force Display, BMW’s two-stage brake light system that's now standard across the BMW range. It alerts drivers behind how hard the BMW in front is braking. All cars specified with the navigation system and a car telephone come as standard with BMW Assist, the emergency service that uses the navigation system to pin-point the car (SE models feature navigation as standard).
TBH, so much fuss was kicked up about Bangle's designs that you'd believe that he'd visually murdered every car in the range. This wasn't true, he'd only murdered one - this one. IMO he'd gone a bit too 'overboard' with his detailing, and who cares if it's sober-looking - it's a big saloon, it's meant to be.
That said, I reckon the most 'daring' looking big saloon in this class is the Renault Vel Satis, and at the other end is the gorgeously traditional Jaguar XJ-series. No matter how they tried, BMW couldn't 'out-Avant-Garde' or 'out-traditionalise' either of them - I think they've done the right thing.
Newromancer said:
Am I the only one who thinks the new 7er looks like a crossing between the current and the old one?
More like half a step back.
Still think the old one was the best.
I'll second that. My first impression was of a pre-bangle 7. I'd say its pleasing on the eye, but the only fault I had with the 7's styling was its slab-like sides. I actually quite liked the boot.
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