BMW 7 - Of Luxury And The Pleasure Of Driving

Here is our first impression of the BMW 7 Series and the i7 following a first drive in the United States of America

- Aspi Bhathena

The new 7 series is now BMW's flagship car. We were invited to Palm Springs, California, USA, to drive the seventh generation of the 7 Series. As a manufacturer, BMW have considerable advantage when it comes to luxury cars because they own the super luxury brand, Rolls-Royce, which has all the luxury features one can expect in a car. Thus, they are in a position to pick and choose what they would like from the Rolls-Royce line to take the 7 Series to the next level.

The car will be produced at the Group plant at Dingolfing. This is the first time a BMW model with a choice of a conventional engine, plug-in hybrid system, and pure electric drive will be manufactured on a single line. It is not only about reducing CO2 emissions but also in the manufacturing process of cars.

The first time I beheld the 7 Series, it reminded me of a Rolls-Royce. Its bold and commanding stance comes about by the monolithic surface and new front-end appearance with the exclusive design style employed for the BMW brand's luxury models. The headlight unit is split into two sections, daytime driving lights have BMW crystal headlights with the iconic glow, the welcome and good-bye effects are created by the back-lit crystals from Swarovski, and the BMW kidney grille is illuminated. The black kidney grille is surrounded by a black and white air-dam. This gives the car a dramatic look wherein people are bound to take a second dekko at this imposing car that reminds one of a Rolls-Royce.

The wheelbase of the new 7 Series has increased by five millimetres to 3,215 mm as compared to the previous long-wheelbase model. This has resulted into a corresponding increase in the leg-room for the rear occupants. The length of the car has increased by 130 mm, its width by 48 mm, and height by 51 mm.