For the CEO who still likes to drive
The 2016 BMW 750i xDrive is for the CEO who likes to drive, not be driven. A few weeks back, I touched on executive cars, vehicles seen as appropriate for people climbing the corporate ladder. This week, I drove a vehicle aimed squarely at the people who have reached the top.
The 750i comes in two models, regular and L, with the L designating it as the long-wheelbase version. Typically, the L models are meant for the ultimate in rear-seat comfort, with a chauffeur given the task of getting the boss to where he or she needs to go.
The regular 750i does come with rear-passenger luxuries, but, as I indicated, appeals more to a person who enjoys the journey to get to a destination.
Entry to this rarefied market is not cheap — the 750i has a starting price of $113,900.
The BMW has a number of worthy competitors — the Audi A8, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Jaguar XJ and Lexus LS 460 to name a few.
And while the world is awash with SUVs, this rarefied market segment is made up of exclusively four-door sedans.
Opening the door to the 750i is to gaze upon the lap of luxury. It can be daunting, as the whole interior is filled with controls for features rarely seen in lesser vehicles.
I can go over a few highlights: Both front seats have a massage function, and it is customizable to different areas you want worked on; there is a detachable seveninch Samsung tablet in the rear centre armrest with vehicle controls; you can freshen the cabin with the Ambient Air Package, which gives you a choice of up to eight different scents with the touch of a button; the infotainment system has sensors to detect various hand gestures (you don’t have to touch the screen) so that controls such as volume and changing the track can be accomplished with a twirl of the finger for the former and pointing two fingers to execute the latter.
Tech geeks will love the Display Key, a key with a built-in LCD screen that gives you basic information such as if the vehicle is secure, distance to empty along with the regular lock and unlock functions.
Later this year, with the 2017 model, the same key will be able to move the 750i remotely, without a driver in the vehicle, back and forth such as into a particularly tight parking spot. It’s a far cry from other self-parking programs, as the driver has to line up the vehicle ahead of time and the function only works for a car length.
One other piece of technology set to arrive this year are laser headlights, which are already available on the other side of the pond.
Another high-tech aspect is wellhidden — a steel structure reinforced with carbon fibre. Coupled with the use of aluminum for major pieces such as the hood, trunk and door skins, the 750i’s weight has dropped almost 90 kilograms below last year’s model.
Trimming the car’s unsprung weight makes it lighter than the A8 or the S-Class. But BMW takes it a step further, with a low centre of gravity and a 55 per cent front, 45 per cent rear weight distribution. The combination sets it apart in the luxury segment, with a car that takes corners without much lean — behaving more like a smaller, more nimble sports sedan.
As expected, its manners and demeanour are composed and beyond reproach on the highway.
The sparkling performance on the road can be attributed to a turbocharged 4.4-litre V-8 that produces 445 horsepower and a healthy 480 foot-pounds of torque.
Expect to accomplish the 0-100 km/h dash in 4.4 seconds (number supplied by BMW), which is two seconds faster than the Jaguar XJ, with its supercharged 3.0-litre engine. If you are fortunate enough to take delivery of your 750i in Europe, you might consider attempting to put pedal to the metal to see the speedometer hit 210 km/h on the German autobahn.
Despite the four doors, there is a serious performance car lurking just under its skin.
An owner doesn’t need to travel at extreme speeds to get a shot of adrenalin. Just press the Sport button and the driver’s display changes colour, the shifts are held longer and the whole car seems to leap at the slightest pressure on the accelerator.
It is a visceral change that enthusiasts can appreciate.
(Should you for some reason be unimpressed with the power, you might perhaps consider the 12-cylinder M760Li, with its twin-turbo 6.6-litre engine producing 600 hp, instead.)
Canadian luxury buyers will be happy to know that every 750i sold in Canada is all-wheel drive.
As expected, the 750i bristles with technology that is designed to keep you, fellow motorists and pedestrians safe. The one I appreciated the most was a Night Vision feature that uses an infrared camera to see heat signatures.
The system clearly identified pedestrians — even wearing dark clothes — well ahead of regular eyesight on the nights I was driving. I am very impressed with this technology and can’t wait for it to trickle down to more affordable vehicles.
The BMW 750i is an impressive luxury vehicle. But, unlike its competition, it is also an impressive performance vehicle. In this segment, it is the clear choice for the CEO who wants both.
THE SPEC SHEET
Type: Luxury full-size sedan, front engine, all-wheel drive Engine: Turbocharged 4.4-litre V-8, 445 hp at 5,500 to 6,000 r.p.m., 480 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,800 to 4,500 r.p.m. Transmission: Eight-speed automatic Dimensions (mm): Length, 5,098; width, 1,902; height, 1,467; wheelbase, 3,070 Curb weight (kg): 2,041 Price (base/as tested): $113,900/ $130,095 (includes $2,145 freight and PDI and $100 AC tax) Options: Driver Assistance Package (includes Night Vision) $4,200, Executive Package $6,500, Rear Entertainment Package $2,750, Ambient Air Package $500 Tires: 245/40 R20 front/ 275/35 R20 rear on alloy wheels Fuel type: Premium Fuel economy (L/100km): 13.9 city/ 9.1 highway Warranty: Four years/80,000 km new car and roadside assistance