BMW’s latest 7 Series flagship saloon takes automotive refinements to the stratosphere
In the 1997 movie Tomorrow Never Dies, there was a scene in which super-spy James Bond met up with Q who handed him the keys to a brand-new BMW 7 Series sedan, equipped with the usual refinements, but of course. The state-of-the-art spy vehicle included an armoured body, bulletproof windows, machine guns, missile launchers, wire cutters, run-flat tyres and remote piloting via a special cellphone. Bond then outran and outgunned some baddies using this awesome car, without so much as ruffling his perfectly coiffed hair, fully utilising everything that the sedan had to offer. Though that 7 Series car ultimately met with a tragic end, the luxury sedan more than held its own and stole every scene it appeared in.
Flash forward 20 years and today we have BMW’s latest iteration of its flagship series in the commanding form of the 740Le xDrive. Reel life spills over to real life, as the 740Le boasts of numerous high-tech additions and goodies; things that were only possible in fiction two decades ago are now realised. Sans the death-dealing weapons, armoured body and bulletproof glass (the run-flat tyres are here!), but still cutting-edge stuff. First and foremost, this variant is a plugin hybrid, which means it uses a 2.0 litre BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, powered by strategically placed lithium-ion battery cells.
At the simple touch of a button, the driver can choose how the car derives its power—Auto eDrive, the default setting, whereby the combustion engine and electric motor synchronises intelligently in powering the car; Battery Control, lets the car run entirely on engine power alone while allowing you to set a target battery percentage (up to 100 per cent) for the car to harvest energy recuperated from braking to keep the batteries levelled up and ready for later use; and Max eDrive, in which the car is run exclusively on electricity.
Denne historien er fra November 2017-utgaven av Malaysia Tatler.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 2017-utgaven av Malaysia Tatler.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
How Working Out Transforms Your Skin
When we think about the benefits of exercise, glowing skin might not be the first thing that comes to mind. That said, getting that sweat going is not only great for your body but also an absolute game-changer for your skin
Mane Attraction
Dr Chang Chee Seong of Kaiteki Clinic shares his expert insights on hair loss, from the most common causes to cutting-edge solutions and what to expect on the journey of hair recovery
Body Manscaping
Discover the entrepreneurial journey of Jared Chuah, cofounder of Nateskin, and how this Malaysian brand is breaking taboos around men's grooming, particularly below the belt
Skin Superfoods
Glow from within with these six ingredients that are good for your complexion
Elevated Wellness
Discover Amani Biohacking Club: Malaysia's first biohacking society for optimal leadership and life balance
The Dior Warrior
Drawing inspiration from the world of sports and the strength of female Amazonian warriors, Maria Grazia Chiuri redefines empowered femininity as something both graceful and formidable for Dior's spring-summer 2025 collection
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL - MALAYSIA
Meet the country's most influential individuals: 100 prominent figures who are changing the landscape in Malaysia across industries in our main categories, from business and STEM, to social impact and culture.
Innovating with Purpose
Chor Chee Hoe, co-founder of Qarbotech, talks about how carbon-based innovations are changing the face of farming and ensuring a greener, more productive future
Grounded Vision
Minister of housing and local government, Nga Kor Ming shares the personal experiences and guiding principles that have shaped him, revealing the thoughtful man behind politician
Raising Penang's Bar
Backdoor Bodega's Koh Yung Shen is elevating Penang's bar scene with Penang Cocktail Week