BMW 7 SERIES

ICE OR ELECTRIC? SEVENTH GEN PLACES AN EACH-WAY BET

- NATHAN PONCHARD

ALMOST A year after the W223-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class wowed us with its allround excellence and supreme elegance the label of 'best sedan in prompting the world' - BMW has responded with an all-new seventh-generation (G70) 7 Series.

Simplified to just two variants for Australia - one petrol, one electric - the imposing new 7 Series has bucked convention and reimagined what a flagship sedan should be for BMW. Not only is it the first truly modern 7 Series design since the Chris Bangle-penned E65 of 2001, animated by an intimidating front-end, Munich's statement sedan also rejects conservatism with its packaging. It's offered in just one super-sized body style in all markets, rather than the short- and long-wheelbase variants of the past.

At almost 5.4m long, riding on a slightly longer wheelbase (3215mm) than the previous L version, the new 7 is easily the most imposing limousine in its segment. It also stands 65mm taller to make entry/egress more dignified, yet the new 7 is unashamedly flamboyant - almost to the point of brashness - in its individual expression of futuristic luxury.

Unlike Europe, Australia gets a turbo-petrol-powered G70 - the rear-drive 740i - to accompany the range-topping i7 xDrive60, which commands a near-$30K premium but is expected to make up roughly 50 percent of sales volume for the new 7 Series. Based on our initial drive impression, however, the star-billing i7 deserves even greater popularity because its execution is deeply impressive.

At $268,900, the 'standard wheelbase' 740i is priced to compete with the $450 L ($268,491) in the petrol-powered limousine sector whereas the $297,900 electric i7 significantly undercuts its closest Mercedes-Benz rival - the electric EQS53 AMG ($328,400).