German luxury carmaker BMW sells their flagship 7-Series in four engine options. The 7-Series is available with a single diesel engine, the 730Ld and three petrol engines – 740Li (3.0L In-line 6), 750Li (4.4L V8) and 760Li (6.6L V12). BMW only sells the long wheelbase version of the 7-Series in India.
Exteriors – The base petrol variant of the 7-Series, the 740Li is only available in the Design Pure Excellence (DPE) Signature trim. Due to the lack of M-Sport package, the car doesn’t have many sporty bits but it’s the chrome treatment that gives the car a premium appeal. The length of the car stretches more than 5.2 metres and it sits on 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.
The design of the car is elegant and there is attention to detail in every part of the car. The blue tincture on the headlights gives the car a unique look. BMW LaserLight is engraved on both headlights and taillights of the car. The chrome lines across the front, side and rear of the car look very harmonious. The large kidney-grille on the front of the flagship sedan looks very intimidating.
Interiors – The interior of the car is extremely luxurious. Materials like leather, brushed metal and wood have been used in a substantial amount. There are Carbon Core badges on the inside of the b-pillars. All the seats get heated and cooled functions, it also comes equipped with multiple types of massage functions. The latest iDrive system works flawlessly but it’s the software of the Samsung tab that lags. The tab is used to control various settings of the car which includes the sun-blinds, seat functions and ambient lighting.
There is plenty of space in the rear seat, in the bed mode, the co-passenger front seat folds and the footrest opens. This place then is so spacious that even a 6-foot-tall person can stretch comfortably. The list of equipment on this car includes soft-touch door close, Harman-Kardon audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, 360-degree cameras, dual panoramic Sky Lounge roofs, ambient lighting and a touch remote which can be used to move the car. The boot is of decent size and gets a powered boot-lid, a feature which is not present in the Mercedes S-Class.
Performance – The 740Li is powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six engine and it is very refined and quiet. The diesel engine produces 258 BHP whereas the 740Li makes 326 BHP and 450 Nm of torque. The power unit comes mated to an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox and the driver can shift manually using the Tiptronic function on the gear lever. The 0-100 km/hr mark comes up in just 5.6 seconds.
The power delivery of the motor is linear and there is no turbo lag. The low-end is punchy and mid-range is strong and the engine revs happily till 7000 RPM. There are 4 modes – Eco Pro, Comfort, Comfort Plus and Sport. The characteristics of the engine, gearbox, steering and suspension alter with the change in driving mode. The start-stop system along with BMW EfficientDynamics helps boost the fuel efficiency of the car.
Driving Dynamics – The BMW 7-Series feels quite soft and floaty in the Comfort Plus mode. In Sport mode the ride quality is great, handling is proper, steering weighs up brilliantly, it has excellent body control and the car stays very stable even at high speeds. Overall in this mode, the car is comfortable and only sharp bumps can be felt inside. The car weighs just 1800 kgs and it is possible mainly because of the usage of carbon fibre. The brakes are super and offer great stopping power.
Verdict – In the BMW 7-Series, the 740Li is the most affordable model in the petrol variants. It offers a great balance of comfort and fun. But when price and overall practicality is taken in point, the 730Ld is a better choice.
