The fact that the average age of a BMW 7 Series owner in China is 38 is T significant. It highlights the rate at which this flourishing market has been creating wealth within its population. More than 45% of annual 7 Series sales is focused within that country's borders, which goes a long way towards the German brand's positioning of its flagship proposition.
The X7 SUV has very quickly established itself as the favoured premium BMW product within the still-important US market. However, the need to appease a younger, more flamboyant emerging 7 Series sedan audience than historically acknowledged has prompted a number of tough board-level decisions in Munich. According to Sebastian Simm, lead designer on the new (G20) seventh-generation project, this included sign-off on the overall dimensions of the 7 sedan and approval for the horizontally split headlamp units to distinguish the future flagship family of vehicles.
Available exclusively in its long-wheelbase form, the revised 7 Series has grown by 130 mm in overall length (to 5 391 mm). It is also 45 mm wider and 51 mm taller than the outgoing LWB G11 model. Add a subtle stretch in wheelbase length for more presence, and its party pieces are the massive signature grille and novel headlamp design. In everyday driving conditions, the 7 is distinguishable via piercing LED driving lights that occupy the top tier of this lighting layout.
Obscured from view until illuminated, the main beams are sunken into the bold frontage. In South Africa, customers can choose between the standard-fitment Design Pure Excellence exterior package or an M Sport or M Sport Pro upgrade.
Denne historien er fra March 2023-utgaven av CAR South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra March 2023-utgaven av CAR South Africa.
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
Toyota Fortuner
Considered by many as the quintessential adventure SUV, the Fortuner is about as strong a used buying proposition as you can get in this segment. We take you through the things to look out for and list two rivals for comparison.
MIND THE HURDLE
With a repaired car and a point to prove, Alex Shahini returned for Round 3 of the Toyota GR Cup at Zwartkops Raceway to achieve a career-best finish
KING OF KILLARNEY
For four decades, Denis Joubert was directly involved with the creation, development and ongoing success of Cape Town's international motorsport venue, Killarney. Having just celebrated his 90th birthday, we talk to the man whose contribution to South Africa's motor-racing heritage is priceless....
Selecting the 4WD SYSTEM for your needs
As 4WD SUVS and double cabs grow in popularity, more first-time buyers face the challenge of selecting a vehicle with a drivetrain that best meets their requirements. We explain the key differences between the all-wheel drivetrains available
Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT
Kia's ever-popular budget hatch has recently received a range of exterior and interior updates - we test the entry-level variant to see if it remains a force to be reckoned with in this highly competitive segment
Super C
The fastest and most technologically advanced flagship C-Class to date, AMG's C63 S has evolved into an electrified uber-sedan. Has this mighty model forsaken some character in pursuing this status? We strapped our test equipment to the new shooting star.
Bentley's Brutes
A break in proceedings during an exclusive preview of the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT afforded us an opportunity to sample the stately yet hair-raising Bentayga S
RUNNING UP THAT HILL
Now in its 14th year, the Simola Hillclimb continues to combine adrenaline-fuelled competition with showcasing some of the most appealing classics out there in a heady mix that keeps local petrolheads coming...
BAND OF BROTHERS
Complete with rugged bakkie-based underpinnings that encourage off-the-beaten-track venturing, largely proven powertrains that afford maximum range and towing capability, and brand names with enviable respective reputations for reliability, adventure SUVs remain the favourite of thousands of South Africans.
TWELVE OF THE BEST
Ferrari keeps things suitably old-school with its V12-engined 12Cilindri GT
