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Flying First Class in All-New 2016 BMW 7 Series

Flying First Class in All-New 2016 BMW 7 Series

Among large, ultra-luxury sedans, the BMW 7 Series has always played second fiddle to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In sales figures, prestige, and ride comfort, the Mercedes is king. BMW has tried to change that with the all-new 7 Series.

Fully redesigned for 2016, the new BMW 7 Series gets a lighter-weight chassis that makes extensive use of carbon fiber, in an effort to make the car both more agile and improve fuel efficiency. The cabin is loaded with high-tech wizardry, the highlight of which is gesture control. This allows you to adjust audio volume or answer your phone with a mere sweep of your hand. On top of that, the BMW can steer itself down the highway, but you need to keep your hands on the wheel.

Starting at $81,300, the 740i is the least expensive version, powered by a 320-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder. But most customers, according to BMW, opt for the $94,400 750i, which has a 445-hp, 4.4-liter turbocharged V8. Adding all-wheel drive costs $3,000.

We recently bought an all-wheel-drive 750i, which with typical options rang in at $110,645. For that kind of price you expect the world, and even before we’ve finished testing it, we can say the new BMW 750i impresses on several levels.

Driving Impressions

It’s quite striking how the 750i gathers speed in such a decisive, yet effortless way. Even with the weight of the all-wheel-drive system, this limo catapults itself to triple-digit speeds without breaking a sweat. That sensation is certainly helped by the super smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, which imperceptibly executes each shift.

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Combine that graceful performance with the supremely steady ride—courtesy of the standard air suspension—and the absence of virtually any wind noise, and you can see how the new BMW 7 Series can easily become a board room on wheels. Even at Autobahn speeds or over undulating pavement, the big 750i keeps its composure and comforts its occupants with a planted and pliant feel. All isn’t perfect, however. We think the Mercedes-Benz S-Class still has the ultimate edge in terms of low-speed ride comfort.

In the not-so-distant past, a 7 Series was the choice for those who wanted a limo that could carve corners and act as a sports sedan. But as markets opened and buyer demographics changed, so too has the 7 Series. Evidently, it got back to the engineers in Munich that these cars are driven by chauffeurs. But while the 7 Series traded sporty for comforting over the past couple of generations, the last-generation version was rather clumsy. From behind the wheel of our 750i, it’s clear that, while more athletic, talented, and capable on the road and track, the BMW hasn’t gone all the way back to its sports sedan roots. For that, you’d have to turn to the Porsche Panamera or a Maserati Quattroporte.

Traditionally, when dealing with cars in this elite stratosphere, fuel economy isn’t a primary concern for buyers. Still, the 21 mpg overall that we’ve so far observed is quite commendable.

CR’s Take

With high-tech galore, exquisite attention to detail that caters to your every need, a cabin that’s beyond impeccable, a serene ride, and a tomb-like silence, the BMW 750i has been delivering a first class travel experience. Whether or not that’s what’s going to challenge the Mercedes-Benz S-Class’ hegemony remains to be seen.



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