BMW Malaysia launched its flagship limousine, the 7 series along with the Malaysian debut of the BMW X7 luxury SAV in Mont Kiara on the 11th of July 2019. BMW claims that those luxury limousine credentials are now available in the BMW X7, which at first glance, seems promising. But before we dissect the X7, first we need understand the appeal of the 7 series. The 7 series is the quintessential high-tech bossman limousine that has perfected luxury on 4 wheels through excellent craftsmanship and cutting edge technology. We feel it invokes all 7 sins from everyone who rides it. Here is how it holds its top spot by invoking all 7 sins.
Pride
The first thing you get with the BMW 7 series is its name itself. In the game of limousine top trumps, the game ends when you utter the words 7 series. Regardless which generation car you are referring to its not the cheapest car to purchase. Nor are they easy on the wallet to run. A 7 series is an indulgence regardless if you were to buy one new or pre-loved. This brand images guarantees a timeless exclusivity to this model and its owners.
Greed
Everything about this car is massive! Its 5mm longer than the Audi A8L, and 14 mm longer than an S Class. Its 3 mm wider than the S Class too and most crucially, the wheelbase of the current 7 series is a a whopping 45mm longer than the S Class. Which means your rear legroom is going to be generously proportioned even when you have drivers who share the physical dimensions of Dwayne Johnson.
Envy
Despite the size though the BMW 7 series weights 130kg lesser than the S class. This is despite both cars sporting a similar 3 liter biturbo petrol engine with a hybrid powertrains. That’s because the BMW 7 series is made out of a body made of aluminium and carbon fiber, making it extremely strong and rigid with a whole lot o weight saving. BMW calls is Carbon Core, we just call it the envy of every other luxury car owner.
Lust
The interior is nothing sort of spectacular. There are 6 different lighting combinations to choose from to reflect your mood, a gigantic panoramic roof above you and acres of Nappa leather lashed across the Executive Lounge rear cabin. To add to the cabin presence is a 460W, 16-speaker Harman Kardon speaker which soaks the cabin with wonderful acoustics of your preference. All you have to do in here is sit back on those massive yet comfy rear seats, which also has massaging functions and relax. Its this kind of luxurious ambiance which will leave you lusting for more.
Sloth
And its not just the light shows and leather lashings that defines the Executive lounge experience, you have twin 10 inch touchscreen displays to control everything on the car from navigation, online functions and entertainment. You are literally in control of the car despite lounging in the back seats. And if you feel its too much of an effort to stretch to the touch screen, there’s a 7 inch tablet tucked into the armrest, allowing you to alter all the cars cabin perimeters without even raising your back from your seat. It even rises up at the touch of a button to help you grab it.
Gluttony
BMW has equipped the 7 series with a whole host of electronics and they take it well beyond overkill. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional with BMW OS 7.0 allows you to configure its 12.3 inch instrument cluster and 10.25 inch center display. Which means you can literally choose what functions should be displayed on the instrument display and the touchscreen. Where things get set to overkill is with BMW’s class leading Connected Package Professional which includes BMW’s Concierge Services. This system can find you the best spot for a street burger at 11.45pm in the heart of Klang Valley within seconds of requesting and it can even set your navigation to the recommended location. It even learns your personality and preferences the more times you use it. They also have an Apple CarPlay system too if you’re still not happy.
Wrath
Like all true BMW’s, this is still the drivers luxury sedan. The 7 series of the past has had plenty of presence in pop culture, with the likes of James Bond and The Transporter using various generations of 7 series as their transport of choice. It shows here too. There’s 286 bhp and 450Nm of torque coming from the twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine alone. The electric engine produces another 113bhp and 265Nm on top of that. The combine total output sits at nearly 400bhp and 600Nm. That’s nearly the same output of the E39 M5, in a luxury 7 series. Sent to the wheels via an 8 speed Steptronic gearbox, this xDrive all-wheel drive car can do 0-100kph in 5.1 seconds. You will never be late to the airport or the board meeting ever again.
The 2019 BMW 740Le xDrive evokes every one of the 7 deadly sins in us in the efforts of retaining its crown as the tech fest luxury sedan. There was a time where the competitors came close to catching up. But thanks to the game changing BMW Live Cockpit and Connected Drive systems, BMW just elevated the luxury limousine game to a different plane with the current 7. Its a car that’s really confident about itself, and makes a striking impression on anyone that comes across it.
