WORLDPREVIEW NEW BMW 7-SERIES:BMW's new 7-Series aims to be a contender for the luxury throne held by Mercedes' S-Class. Michael McAleer, motoring editor assesses its chances
WELCOME TO the fifth generation of BMW's contender for the luxury throne. It's the latest incarnation of a car that has long held ambitions to topple Mercedes' all-dominant S-Class.
The reality is that for all the undoubted strength of the BMW brand and its remarkable success as a company over recent years, its flagship 7-Series has never quite matched the dominance of the S-Class.
Perhaps this generation is the one to change that. Certainly that was the hope of the board members as they gathered on the ground floor of the BMW museum in Munich last week for the world preview of their latest flagship model. The new car will make its public debut at the Paris motor show in September with sales expected in Ireland by the end of year.
Initial impressions may suggest the car differs little from the outgoing model, save a few changes to the fascia and front grille. The reality, however, is that it's completely new, from the tyre treads to the fin-shaped aerial.
As with all these luxury liners in the motoring sense, this car is bristling with new technology. While BMW hasn't gone as far as Lexus in terms of gadgetry, it has some very smart new tricks up its sleeve.
Perhaps the most important is the latest incarnation of rear-wheel steering. An innovation from the 1980s - when Honda offered it on the Prelude and Mazda on its 626 - BMW's new system is called Integral Active Steering and allows the rear wheels to turn up to three degrees. The Germans claim it gives the new 7-Series class-leading agility and unparalleled low-speed manoeuvrability. The idea is quite simple: at low speeds the rear wheels turn opposite lock, making cornering and parking far easier, while at higher speeds they take the same line as the front wheels, thereby improving stability.
In terms of engines, the big news is the introduction of a two-mode petrol/electric hybrid version in early 2010. That will follow on from the introduction next year of a fully-fledged hybrid X6, with battery power and a 3-litre petrol engine.
These are just the first two hybrid models in the pipeline for the Germans as they play catch up with Japanese brands which have led the way in bringing hybrid to market, with great commercial success.
The 7-Series hybrid is the result of work carried out in conjunction with two other car giants that also spurned hybrid during the early years: General Motors and Daimler.
For now there will be three engine options. They start with a twin-turbocharged, 3-litre, six-cylinder petrol engine, with 326bhp in the 740i. It is joined by a reworked version of the 3-litre, six-cylinder diesel with 245bhp in the 730d. This will be the best-selling 7-series in Ireland and with 192g/km it comes in at Band F, with motor tax of €1,000 rather than the top tax band, which will apply to the new twin-turbo, 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine in the 750i. With the 407bhp, it's a 47bhp improvement on the outgoing 750i. It manages a 0-100km/h time of 5.2 seconds.
Another notable feature that BMW is keen to play up is the introduction of internet access on the move, as part of BMW's Connected Drive system.
Of perhaps more relevance to Irish buyers is a new revamped iDrive system, with clearer menus along with more override buttons that bring you directly to the likes of CD choices or sat-nav screens. According to Michael Wurtenberger, head of BMW's automotive electronics design team, the new iDrive is even more intuitive. He believes the iDrive is a better proposition than a touchscreen.The principles of our system is that you split the display and input devices. You should be able to use the input device without turning to look at the display. This is the big difference from touchscreen.With iDrive there are physical clicks through the rotor as you move through the menus so you dont have to look at the screen all the time.
Aesthetically, the new 7-Series has recovered from the rather half-hearted facelift it received in 2005. At the time the front nose was softened but the rest of the car was largely left alone, making it look like a poor compromise between the previous two incarnations. This time the flatter surfaces, stronger lines and prominent grille revitalise the car's character. In particular the removal of the front bumper and the large kidney grilles give the car a real presence. Nice touches include new signature LED rear lights that are set to become the BMW standard in future models.
Inside, along with the larger screen and redesigned iDrive, BMW has opted to replace the steering column gear selector with a joystick-style stick on the central console. Already a feature in the X6 and some other models, it's far more intuitive than the outgoing gear selector.
The new car is slightly bigger than the current model, with a longer wheelbase, but the overhangs have been reduced, thereby giving the car a more muscular stance. A long wheelbase version is also available, adding 140mm to the rear for improved access and added legroom.
However, some smart engineering means that BMW has managed to keep down the car's weight, courtesy of aluminium used on the roof, doors and bonnet. Prices start at €113,760 for the 730d SE, with the flagship long-wheelbase 750Li coming in at €153,750.
That puts the diesel on a relative par with its arch-rival from Mercedes, the S320 CDI. So let battle commence.
FACTFILE: BMW 7-SERIES:
• 730d:
Engine:2,993 cc
Max output: 245 hp at 4,000 rpm;
Max torque: 540 Nm from 1,750-3,000 rpm
0-100 km/h: 7.2 secs
Top speed: 245 km/h
Average fuel consumption: 7.2 l/100 km (39.2 mpg)
CO2 emissions: 192 g/km
Price - 730d SE: €113,760
• 740i:
Engine: 2,979 cc
Max output: 326 hp at 5,800 rpm
Max torque: 450 Nm/ from 1,500-4,500 rpm
0-100 km/h: 5.9 secs
Top speed: 250 km/h
Average fuel consumption: 9.9 l/100 km (28.5 mpg)
CO2 emissions: 232 g/km
Prices - 740i SE €127,830 - 740Li €132,500
• 750i:
Engine: 4,395 cc
Max output: 407 hp from 5,500-6,400 rpm
Max torque: 600 Nm/442 lb-ft from 1,750-4,500 rpm
0-100 km/h: 5.2 secs
Top speed: 250 km/h
Average fuel consumption 11.4 l/100 km (24.8 mpg)
CO2 emissions: 266 g/km
Prices - 750i SE €149,360 - 750Li €153,750