The New-Generation BMW 7 Series

We test-drive the new-generation BMW 7 Series across the border from Poland to Prague on the BMW CSEU Grand Media Tour

- Jamie Nonis

A handsome fleet of BMW cars lines the cobblestone street outside a 16th-century Renaissance castle situated some 40 minutes south of the Polish city of Wroclaw. The castle, now known as Uroczysko Siedmiu Stawow Luxury Hotel, is our first pit stop in the BMW CSEU Grand Media Tour through Central Europe, which begins in Warsaw.

Over 23 days, 140 journalists from around the world will drive the all-new BMW X7 and the 7 Series across seven countries, covering 4,894km of the ground and concluding in Greece. Our two-man contingent from Singapore will journey some 846km across the border to the Czech Republic, with its capital Prague as our eventual destination in this first leg.

Following a scenic drive through the Polish countryside in the X7, we arrive at one of Poland’s oldest and largest Renaissance castles for our bucolic respite for the night. Its charming courtyards and terraces encircled in picturesque surrounds were restored to their former glory as recently six years ago, and the hotel now even boasts the first model Spa by L’Occitane in the country, in collaboration with the renowned French beauty brand.

The succession of automobiles on the idyllic estate creates a beautiful juxtaposition between history and modernity, rustic and luxury, symbolizing the passing of time and the wonder of change — and it’s beautiful all the same.

As evening falls, a part of the castle grounds transforms to a private concert hall and we preview an exclusive performance by Piotr Orzechowski, one of the country’s more renowned young jazz pianists and composers. The artist, also known as Pianohooligan, regales us with a spirited showcase of his awardwinning mastery of the ivories.

The next morning, a sea of mostly gray vehicles awaits — save for one red sedan, and, of course, it has to be the only higher-powered M Performance 7 Series model in our convoy.