BMW 7 Series India review: Seventh Heaven

With this generation of 7, BMW has spared no expense on the interior, with a clear focus on opulence. There are very few buttons; drive mode, ride height and iDrive are on the console and the dashboard is devoid of any buttons. Everything is controlled from the 14.9-inch curved display, which means even adjusting the climate control requires fiddling through the menu. However, the shortcomings up front will only be an issue for your chauffeur since a typical 7 Series owner will be lounging in the rear seat. The rear seats are exceptionally comfortable and spacious. They get a plethora of features, including massaging function, heating and ventilation, and the party piece is the ‘theatre mode’. Select this and the 31.3-inch 8K screen – yes, that’s no misprint – folds down in a grandiose sequence, complete with ambient sound effects created by composer Hans Zimmer. All this happens as the rear window blinds, rear windshield blind and the sunroof close to block out the outside world, and the passenger-side rear seat reclines fully, allowing you to stretch completely, thereby transforming the cabin into an uncanny theatre-like experience. Sure, the aspect ratio of the widescreen isn’t suitable for all videos, but you can adjust that (and much more) via the 5.5-inch touchscreens on the door handles. If there was an award for the wow factor, the new 7 would win, and how! Powering the 740i is the same 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that’s also found on the M340i. However, it makes slightly more power here: 381hp. The 7 Series also gets a 48V mild-hybrid system that offers an additional 18hp and 200Nm of e-boost under hard acceleration, or by holding the left shift paddle. All this helps it achieve a 0-100kph time of just 5.4sec, which, for a limo weighing over two tonnes, is impressive. What also complements the engine is the 8-speed torque converter gearbox with seamless shifts and excellent response via the paddle shifters. The powertrain changes its characteristics rather significantly depending on the mode you select, and even though ‘Sport’ or ‘Sport Plus’ will be sparsely used, they do offer a lot of thrill. What’s also nice, especially for driving enthusiasts, is the raspy exhaust note that comes in once the engine spins past 3,000rpm. It might not be as enticing as the M340i, but it has its share of drama. Previous iterations of the 7 have always had a bit of an edge over rival limousines when it came to handling, but this one doesn’t shrink around you like other big Bimmers. The drive modes can alter the steering response, but it does little to mask its bulk. Ride, though, is simply excellent. It gets adaptive air suspension, which gives it a supple ride over the worst roads and incredible stability on the highways. At cruising speeds, the new 7 simply floats on the road, and is extremely close, if not better, than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The 740i comes in at Rs 1.81 crore, and you can have a diesel version for Rs 3 lakh more, or the all-electric i7 for Rs 21 lakh more. And despite getting more features, it’s priced on par with the Mercedes S 450, although higher than the Audi A8 L. It doesn’t quite feel like 7s of the past in terms of driving dynamics, but frankly, this segment is all about being chauffeured around; even more so here in India. What you will appreciate is its excellent ride, top-shelf luxury and, of course, the ability to stream and binge watch your favourite content on that incredible screen. Also see: BMW 7 Series, 740i video review BMW 7 Series Protection: a close look New BMW 5 Series, i5 LWB India launch this festive season