Car BMW-7 Series Review

Launched officially in 2002, the Seven is still a rare sight on our roads. However, with the market opening up and BMW’s dealer network expanding, expect it to give the S-class a hard time.:

The first of BMW’s controversial ‘flame-surfaced’ designs hasn’t quite grown on everyone yet, but under the odd, separated bootlid and grouchy headlamps lies an exceptionally well-designed and technology-laden car. It uses adjustable air suspension and lots of chassis aids, including traction control, stability control, Electronic Brake force Distribution and others, to provide a safe, controlled yet enjoyable driving experience.

The cabin of the Seven is a strange, yet exciting place. Most buttons are thrown out in favour of the iDrive system, the automatic gear selector is reduced to a diseased-looking stalk on the steering column, and though there’s more space than in an S-class, it feels very cosy.

he seats, especially up front, are superb, adjustable even for width. Rear legroom is good as well, and the cabin is superbly appointed, with glowing wood and supple, liquid-soft leather.

The 7-series in India comes only with a 3.6-litre V8, with 272bhp and masses of technology. This V8 employs BMW's entire box set of mechanical marvels. For starters, it has no throttle, infinitely variable valve stroke (called Valvetronic) valve timing as well as variable manifold length. It is more audible than you’d expect, but that’s in keeping with the athletic image of the car. Power is sent creamily through the superb six-speed automatic, and performance is effortless.

Driven with the gearbox in automatic mode and the suspension not set for ‘Sport’, the Seven is all limo. The engine purrs like a satisfied cat, carefully sipping fuel with the six-speed gearbox slurring almost imperceptibly from one ratio to the next. Though the low profile 255/45 tyres on their huge 18-inch rims mean you feel and hear an appreciable number of bumps in the road, the Seven still maintains decent composure over the rough. It's not as adept as the S-class over broken roads though. However, the soft setting manages to take all the sharp edges off the bumps, the suspension maintaining a supple spring in its step that sits nicely with the limo character. Even in this softer setting, handling is very impressive, easily superior to most limos.

However, select ‘Sport’ mode on the suspension and the Seven transforms into a sports sedan, with great steering, amazing body control and an eerie lack of body roll. Because there exists a general lack of body roll, even pushing this two-tonner through a corner elicits a very friendly, eager response.

The 7-series is an extreme car, not for everyone: can you really stomach the styling? Can you really figure out the iDrive? The 7-series is also rarer and more expensive than the S-class, and has a smaller dealer network, but its image is unparalleled, and service, though expensive and unavailable outside the metros, is of a high standard.