SEVENTH HEAVEN? (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The BMW 7 Series re-invents itself. Jonathan Crouch drives the MK7 G70 version.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 58

With this seventh generation 7 Series saloon, BMW elevates itself back into contention at the top end of the boardroom-level luxury sedan segment. Yes, it makes more of a frontal statement, but equally important are the changes made to the engineering and technology of this car, which include a full set of electrified powertrains. It's a rejuvenated proposition.

Backgroundword count: 198

The BMW 7 Series has been with us for almost half a century and it's always been a showcase for the Munich maker's latest technology. What it's never really had though, is what a large luxury saloon like this really needs: presence. But that changes right here, right now with this seventh generation model. What do you think? Makes more of a statement doesn't it? The 7 Series has long provided the basic engineering for Rolls Royce models; now, it gets Rolls Royce-style visual impact. And if you don't like it, BMW won't mind too much because 75% of 7 Series production is aimed at markets like China and the US who've long demanded this kind of enhanced pavement presence. For too long, BMW's flagship four-door has been merely an enlarged 5 Series. This one aims to stand out. It has to. Of course, the changes made to create this MK7 model weren't only about aesthetics. It's significantly larger, more luxurious and considerably more spacious than before. Plus the underpinnings have had to be substantially redeveloped, not only for the enhanced PHEV tech but also for an all-electric i7 model. It all sounds intriguing. Let's take a look.

Driving Experienceword count: 297

The introduction of a full-Electric model to the range meant the need for a substantial six year redevelopment of the previous generation design's CLAR architecture. The resultant, evolved 'Flex' platform supports pure EV, Plug-in Hybrid and 48V hybrid drivetrains, the latter a diesel, the 740d xDrive with 299hp from its 3.0-litre straight six. If you want petrol, you'll need a PHEV, either the 750e xDrive (with 490hp) or the M760e xDrive (with 571hp). Both use an in-line six cylinder petrol unit and can travel up to around 50 miles on their 18.7kWh battery. If you're looking at the all-electric i7 with its 101.7kWh drive battery, the range starts with the rear-driven sDrive50 version with 449hp, but i7 sales are primarily based around the mid-level AWD xDrive60 model, which uses two electric motors, a front one with 258hp and one at the rear with 313hp. The combined total is quoted at a potent 544hp. BMW quotes a WLTP-rated range for the '60' model of up to 387 miles (curiously about 8 miles more than the sDrive50). Of course you'll get nowhere near these figures if you habitually enjoy the rapid 0-62mph sprint time of 4.7s, en route to a 149mph maximum. Should the i7 xDrive60 somehow not be fast enough for you, your dealer can brief you on an alternative i7 M70 xDrive model with 660hp. Like the combustion variants, the i7 is clearly engineered for motorways as well as the metropolis. And secondary roads should feel cruisey too, thanks to adaptive self-levelling air suspension (fitted to all 7 Series models), which lowers itself by 10mm in 'Sport' mode (and at speeds of over 75mph) to improve stability. You can also use it to raise the ride height by 20mm to avoid damage on rougher sections of road.

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