The latest generation of BMW’s flagship automobile – the BMW 7 Series – is finally in the Philippines. Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, unveiled the all-new BMW 7 Series through a Gala Event held at the Grand Ballroom of the new Shangri-La at the Fort in Bonfacio Global City last March 3.
“Since 1977, BMW has been delivering ground-breaking innovations and setting new standards with our flagship BMW 7 Series. From the electronic speedometer, to Park Distance Control, to the revolutionary iDrive operating system, all of which have become an industry benchmark for modern cars. Today, this sixth-generation BMW 7 Series has made yet another breakthrough by introducing new technologies such as carbon core that reduces overall weight by up to 130kg, and a full suite of innovations,” said ACC president Maricar Parco. “This all-new BMW 7 Series embodies our quest for modern mobility, the highest quality, and absolute precision. This is truly a masterpiece from BMW, and probably the best car we have ever built.”
New engine family: Powered by EfficientDynamics technology.
The all-new BMW 740Li is powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The new power unit’s crankcase, cylinder head and oil sump are all made from aluminum. It produces an output of 326 hp and a maximum torque of up to 450 Nm from 1,380 to 5,000 rpm. It is able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds. It has an average fuel consumption of 6.6 litres/100km, and an average CO2 emission of 154 g/km.
The all-new BMW 750Li is powered by a V8 unit that has undergone extensive redevelopment, boasting a displacement of 4.4 litres. It produces an output of 450 hp and a maximum torque of up to 650 Nm from 1,800 to 4,500 rpm. It is able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds, has an average fuel consumption of 8.0 litres/100km, and an average CO2 emission of 187 g/km.
Intelligent lightweight engineering: Mixed material bodies based on Carbon Core
Intelligent lightweight engineering has reduced the weight of the all-new BMW 7 Series models by up to 130 kilograms, in spite of all the newly added innovations that would have increased the overall weight, namely; a new chassis technology. At the centre of it all is the body structure with Carbon Core. The all-new BMW 7 Series is the first car in its segment in which industrially manufactured CFRP combines with steel and aluminum. The intelligent body concept uses this mixed-materials approach to increase the strength and rigidity of the passenger cell while at the same time significantly reducing vehicle weight.
Enhanced driving experience: Air suspension and Dynamic Damper control;
Driving Experience Control switch with ADAPTIVE mode
The all-new BMW 7 Series offers both sharper driving dynamics and superior ride comfort, thanks to its highly-sophisticated, precision-honed chassis technology. The latest raft of innovations offer drivers more freedom of choice for configuring the ideal vehicle set-up, which means they can now opt for even sportier handling or greater ride comfort as they wish. The selection is made using the standard Driving Experience Control switch.
With its double-joint front axle, five-link rear axle and Electric Power Steering, the all-new BMW 7 Series comes with all the right ingredients for precise, assured and harmonious handling characteristics. The inclusion of the 2-axle self-levelling air suspension as standard furthermore endows the luxury sedan models with notably superior ride comfort. The suspension is supplied with air by an electrically powered compressor with pressure reservoir. This means that even when the engine is switched off, the height of the vehicle body is adjusted to keep it at a constant level regardless of the load being carried. And because the air supply is controlled individually for each wheel, it is even possible to compensate for an unevenly distributed load.
The level control can additionally be operated manually, allowing the vehicle’s ride height to be raised by 20 millimetres when driving along a rough stretch of road or in multistorey car parks with particularly steep ramps, for instance. At speeds above 35 km/h, the level control automatically reverts to its standard setting. When SPORT mode is activated with the Driving Experience Control switch, on the other hand, the ride height automatically drops by 10 millimetres when travelling at high speed.
For the first time, an ADAPTIVE mode can also be selected in the all-new BMW 7 Series via the standard Driving Experience Control switch. With this setting activated, the vehicle set-up is matched to the current driving style and changing route profile in adaptive, clearly perceptible fashion. The control logic reacts to movement of the accelerator and steering wheel, and also factors in whether the gear selector is in the D or S position. Depending on the driving situation, the powertrain and chassis systems are configured for either sporty or comfortable performance.
Integral active steering: Dynamics and ride comfort made to measure
With the Integral Active Steering system in the all-new BMW 7 Series, the rear wheels help to steer and provide more driving stability, safety and comfort. When travelling under 60 km/h, the front and rear wheels steer in opposing directions to reduce the turning circle and ensure every bend is taken with precision. This is very helpful when the driver is parking or negotiating hairpin bends with small turning circle because fewer movements and more precision are enabled. Yet, when travelling above 60 km/h, the front and rear wheels turn in the same direction to ensure more stability at higher speeds. This is extremely helpful when changing lanes because the vehicle practically ‘glides’ in an even sideways motion, which makes it extremely comfortable for all the vehicle’s occupants and especially so for those in the rear.
Groundbreaking technology: iDrive operating system with touch display and BMW gesture control
The iDrive operating system’s Control Display comes in the form of a touch display, a method so familiar from consumer electronics devices. This adds a highly intuitive input method to the iDrive system’s control logic, ensuring supreme ease of operation in any situation.
The iDrive system furthermore comes with the standard BMW gesture control. By making specific hand movements in the vicinity of the centre console, where they are registered by a 3D sensor, commonly used infotainment system functions can be controlled very intuitively and conveniently. The various gestures serve, for instance, to adjust the audio volume, control the 3D surround view display, and accept or reject incoming phone calls.
Elegant exterior: Powerfully curved surfaces, precisely drawn double swage line
The prevalence of outward-curving surfaces when the all-new BMW 7 Series is viewed from the side give the car a powerful, eye-catching appearance. The door handles are incorporated with great precision into the character line, which now takes the form of a double swage line. The Air Breather surround in the front side panel spawns a chrome trim strip which runs along the lower edge of the doors. The exterior mirrors appear to grow organically out of the window frame, a slender stalk providing the sole connection between mirrors and car body.
The all-new BMW 7 Series comes standard with the Design Pure Excellence exterior package, with chrome accents on the radiator grille slats, on the rear bumper and on the front air inlets, with the wheel arch trims and the visual engine guard creating a nuance-rich combination. The all-new BMW 7 Series comes in two non-metallic and nine metallic colour shades for the exterior paintwork. The BMW 740Li and 750Li come standard with 19-inch and 20-inch light-alloy wheels, respectively.
Exclusive interior: A new dimension in travel comfort for passengers in the rear
The Design Pure Excellence interior package lends the cabin an elegant and choice ambience through the use of Exclusive Dakota leather trim for the 740Li and Exclusive Nappa leather trim for the 750Li. This includes extended features in ivory white, amongst other colours, with contrast stitching, fine wood interior trim elements in American Oak and a full leather surface for the instrument panel and door panels in atlas grey with contrast stitching. The lower section of the instrument panel comes in matching colours of choice.
The new BMW 7 Series comes standard with an equipment package that features automatic air conditioning with 4-zone control, electrically adjustable comfort seats, Active seat ventilation for all seats and the standard massage function in both the front and rear, along with the BMW Touch Command
The Massage function for the driver and front passenger seats offers a choice of eight different massage functions in the backrest and seat surface. The same feature is offered for the rear passenger seats equipped with the Vitality Programme and Rear Seat Entertainment, controlled via the BMW Touch Command
BMW Touch Command is an innovative new multifunctional control unit is a removable tablet with a screen diagonal of 7 inches can be used from any seat and even when outside of the vehicle. It lets the occupants control comfort functions such as seat adjustment, interior lighting and air conditioning, as well as the infotainment, navigation and communication system. BMW Touch Command can also be used to play external audio and video files, as a games console or for surfing the internet.
Atmospheric experience: Ambient light, Ambient Air, Sky Lounge Panorama glass roof
The exclusive atmosphere inside the all-new BMW 7 Series can be accentuated by a precision-crafted lighting design. The standard Ambient light provides harmonious indirect illumination in the vicinity of the instrument panel, the door beltlines, the map pockets on the front seat backs, and in the footwells. A standard Welcome Light Carpet produces eye-catching lighting graphics in the entrance/exit area. Another unique feature is the Ambient highlight for the long-wheelbase versions of the all-new BMW 7 Series, which bathes the rear compartment in an atmospheric light from light sources positioned vertically on the B-pillars.
The all-new BMW 7 Series comes standard with a two-section Panorama glass roof with an opening front section. Exclusive to the 750Li is the Sky Lounge Panorama glass roof where the light emitted by LED modules along the sides in the dark is spread evenly throughout the glass surface.
Another feature unique to the BMW 750Li is the Ambient Air package which comprises functions for ionising the air and the fragrance of the vehicle’s interior with selected scents.
Perfect listening pleasure: Bowers & Wilkins Diamond / Harman Kardon surround sound system
The Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system that comes with the 750Li, and the Harman Kardon surround sound system for the 740Li, makes it possible to experience a new dimension in listening pleasure while enjoying the in-car entertainment programme. A fully active 10-channel amplifier with an output of 1,400 watts and 16 partially illuminated speakers together produce an exceptionally precise and wonderfully rich sound in the cabin.
Enhanced safety: Surround View camera-based functions
The all-new BMW 7 Series comes standard with Surround View, which includes the camera-based functions Rear view camera, Panorama View, Top View and 3D View. Cameras at the front and back of the exterior mirrors provide a 360° view around the vehicle.
BMW Display Key: Useful information readily on hand
The BMW display key shows various information about the vehicle’s status and allows selected functions to be controlled via the integrated touch display. The time can be displayed, along with remaining fuel and current range, service notifications, as well as the current status of the central locking system, the windows and the glass roof. The BMW display key can be charged wirelessly, or with the included USB cable.
