Driving prowess
BMW 750i is light, agile and full of advanced systems
At the 7 Series media introduction, BMW had on display a bare body to showcase sophisticated manufacturing techniques. The body is completely new, made of a revolutionary carbon- core construction.
Very light and extremely strong, carbon fiber is not found in production cars very often because of expense, but BMW has been refining its process, using it in the i3 and i8 vehicles. In the 7 Series, carbon- fiber elements could be seen most obviously in the roof rails, crossbeams, C- pillar and tunnel. These were combined with high- strength steel, aluminum and magnesium.
It saved 90 pounds in the body alone and 190 pounds in total weight over the outgoing 7 Series. Materials were carefully selected for different parts of the body for such concerns as collision safety, 50/ 50 weight distribution and noise reduction.
Next up was some track driving at New York’s Monticello Motor Club. A 30- mph lane- change exercise, slalom and panic braking demonstrated the differences in how the sport, comfort or adaptive drive mode settings affected the handling of the car. Even in comfort mode, the car was surprisingly agile; it just exhibited more body roll. Adaptive mode changed suspension firmness and steering response instantaneously during the evasive maneuvers.
For a few laps around the racetrack, it was a brisk lead/ follow behind Bill Auberlin, a 20- year BMW factory racing driver. While there will not be a performance M edition of the 7 Series, the cars for track driving were equipped with the new Autobahn package. Switching to sport mode and turning off traction control on Auberlin’s advice, we set out for some fast laps. It shouldn’t have been surprising, as BMW stakes its reputation on fine handling, but I was really impressed with how deftly this sizable car can get around a track.
There is a long list of technological firsts the 7 Series has brought over the previous generations, and this sixth generation carries on the tradition with more than can be covered on this page. Admittedly, the gesture- control feature sounded gimmicky, but after playing around with it on a 60- mile highway drive, there is something to be said for being able to perform functions like adjusting radio volume without having to take your eyes off the road or fumble around for a knob. The system works perfectly, and you can designate certain motions to activate commonly used features.
With all the emphasis on driving prowess, the 7 Series Rear Executive Lounge Seating package caters to the small number of customers who will be driven. The 7 Series will only be available in the roomy, longwheelbase version, so with the package, two massaging rear seats can be reclined in business- class fashion. The rear occupants can access a number of functions from a tablet that snaps into place in the center console.