[Rehaan]

Big shout-out to Anshuman & Eddy for their coverage and photographs.

The all-new BMW 7 Series:

• This is the 6th generation 7 Series (G11/G12)
• It is locally produced at BMW's Chennai plant (730Ld diesel only). The 750Li petrol is a CBU
• BMW dealerships are already taking orders
• 730Ld : 3.0L 6-cylinder latest gen diesel engine / 261 BHP & 620 Nm @ 2,000 – 2,500 rpm / 0 -100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds
• 750Li : 4.4 litre 8-cylinder petrol engine / 443 BHP & 650 Nm @ 1,800 – 4,500 rpm / 0-100 km/h in a crazy 4.7 seconds
• Both engines are mated to an 8-speed conventional automatic transmission
• Two diesel variants – the Design Pure Excellence and the M Sport, both of which are locally produced. However, the Design Pure Excellence is also available as a CBU, which allows customers to individualize it with optional equipment
• Two petrol variants – the same variants as the diesel, however, both are imported as CBUs and hence can be customized
• BMW Service Inclusive Plus is standard. It covers all routine service work within a period of three years or 60,000 kms. This includes the cost of parts for routine services
• BMW Repair Inclusive is also standard, extending the 2 year warranty to 3 years (unlimited miles)

Price (ex-Delhi):

BMW 730Ld Design Pure Excellence : Rs. 1.11 crore
BMW 730Ld M Sport : Rs. 1.19 crore
BMW 730Ld Design Pure Excellence (CBU) : Rs. 1.40 crore
BMW 750Li Design Pure Excellence (CBU) : Rs. 1.50 crore
BMW 750Li M Sport (CBU) : Rs. 1.55 crore

[Rehaan]

Features

The new 7 has a handful of self-proclaimed 'World Premiere' technology features. Namely; Gesture Control, BMW Display Key, BMW Touch Command, Wireless Charging and Sky Lounge.

Display Key: Let's look at this amazing key first:


Yep, you're seeing that right. It's a touchscreen on the key! It comes with its own little leather case too:


Admittedly, it's rather large for a key, but you do get a smaller non-display key as well:


The key connects to the car and can show you various information:


It can give you information like the range (based on fuel level):


Notify you of upcoming services


Or even warm up or cool the cabin a few minutes before your departure:



Remote Control Parking: If having a key with a colour touchscreen display wasn't crazy enough for you, here's something more. You can use the Display Key to park your car into narrow spaces remotely! Yes, your full-sized 7 series BMW becomes a remote-controlled toy, though you can only move it in a straight line (forwards and backwards). Note: This feature is coming later in 2016.

Watch this video for a preview of the Display Key, and a key-driving demo @ 01:50 onwards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozzi_NXXiV8

[Rehaan]

It's Loaded with Features



Gesture Control: Recognizes six pre-defined hand movements. This includes volume control, accepting or rejecting phone calls, acknowledging check control messages, closing an information window, changing the camera angle etc. There is also the option of pairing a specific gesture with an individual choice of function.

BMW Touch Command: A 7" tablet integrated into the rear armrest, to control entertainment and comfort functions. It is connected to the vehicle systems, but can also be detached and used outside the vehicle.

Wireless Charging: The smartphone holder integrated into the centre console allows inductive wireless charging for mobile phones.

Sky Lounge: The Panorama Glass Roof produces a unique lighting effect. More than 15,000 light elements generate six different light patterns to help set the mood.

ConnectedDrive Systems: BMW iDrive with BMW Navigation Professional (with touchscreen), Park Distance Control and Rear-View Camera with Surround View system that provides a 360-degree view.

Laserlight: Illuminates the road in 'laser high beam' mode for up to 600 metres – twice the range of a conventional LED headlight. Adaptive Headlights cast their beam in the direction of the curve and ensure better visibility during night drives on winding roads.

Comfort Access System: Remotely detects the key within a 1.5 meter radius and unlocks the doors and the tailgate. During the entry and exit, the Welcome Light Carpet illuminates the area in front of the vehicle doors with an white light pattern.

A lot more: The Vitality Package offers eight massage functions. Ambient Lighting has six dimmable designs. Ambient Air Package has the option of eight custom-made fragrances. 14 paint colours & 18 upholstery options are available. The list goes on...

[Rehaan]

Exterior



Note the styled front air-dam (this is the M Sport variant after all):


Menacing squinty eyes house the Laserlight illumination:


The turn indicators are in the eyelids:


Tiny sized //M badge suits the luxo-barge:


Most people wouldn't be able to differentiate this from the previous gen 7 series:


The optional wheels on the display car are slightly flashy for a 7 series, but apt for the M Sport variant:


Long chrome strip breaks into the tail-lamps:


Massive exhaust tips, with the body-coloured bumper wrapping around them at the sides:


Detailing in the tail-light:


A BMW wouldn't be complete without the shark-fin antenna:

[Rehaan]

Interior



Driving Enhancements:

• The optional Head-up Display is now 70 percent larger
• The optional Night Vision (including pedestrian and animal recognition) relays a real-time image to the Control Display
• Auto Start-Stop, ECO PRO mode, Brake-Energy Regeneration and Dynamic Damper Control are present
• 2-Axle Air Suspension automatically adjusts the height of the car regardless of load. It can raise or lower the car by 30 mm
• Carbon Core has been used in the body, saving up to 130 kgs over its predecessor
• The optional Executive Drive Pro chassis control system reduces body roll in bends and on bumpy surfaces
• 6 driving modes: Comfort, Comfort+, Sport, Sport+, Eco Pro, Adaptive
• Camera and radar-based driver assistance (optional)
• Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Lane Keeping Assistant with Active Side Collision, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Rear Collision Prevention and Front Cross-Traffic Warning

Anshuman thought that the aluminium finish on the dashboard and steering looked awesome:


Metallic buttons, stitching on the horn-pad and a peek at the instrument cluster:


Unique BMW gear lever. The convenience of having a button put it directly in "Park" is unbeatable:


Funky cabin lights & a thin-bezeled IRVM:


Massive rear doors:


Huge legroom, as expected:


Eddy contemplates financial decisions that could land him in this seat permanently:


"Super comfy seats" is the verbatim comment:


Just in case you're planning 5 passengers, here's a picture of the floor hump:


Large personal screens for both rear passengers:


The materials come together to give the cabin a really rich look:


Dual-zone A/C controls for the rear. Individual headphone jacks for each rear passenger too:


B-Pillar mounted A/C vents:


Even if you don't like the colour combination, you have to agree that it looks incredibly upmarket:


Metallic buttons for the windows, window-shade, etc. look premium:


Anshuman checks himself out in the personal vanity mirror for the rear seats:


Panoramic glass roof:


The boot goes deep:


Cavernous, with a first-aid kit on the left, and a recessed storage area on the right:


One-button auto close & lock options on the boot lid:


Look how far forward the spare is! The boot is d-e-e-p:


Engine

The V8 Petrol!

[Rehaan]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line section.

[pamiboy]

OMG, This is simply over the top. I can't imagine the level of engineering that has gone into this. Fantastic photo coverage, almost like a team bhp official review itself. Awesome features, unfortunately only for the rich and deserving.
How does this compare to the new Mercedes S class which has also "wow"ed the world recently? Is it available in India yet?

[srishiva]

Although fantastic looking and loaded, looks like a little overdone with chrome and colour, especially the interior.
Hopefully will be able to drive this in Europe in future. Needs to plan travels now a days for experiencing the auto pleasures.

[SS8939]

I think I just fell in love with the 7!

If I had all the money in the world and wanted a car for me to drive, I would get the 7 series without second thought. I just love the way it looks! There just doesn't seem any point in getting a Jaguar XJ anymore.

Also, can anyone tell me, is the interior quality as good as the S Class?

[Turbanator]

I was very close to taking a final hit day before, M variant is very nicely specced and priced BUT apparently new 7 is missing Executive Plus Package as this has not been released for RHD markets yet , this feature is very useful when you are traveling longer distances, besides the business class type rear trays which won't be there. Now in two minds , apparently their dealerships have got some good bookings already.

[Sahil]

Take a bow BMW India, not for playing catch up to the S but for offering those M sport rims standard on that variant! I have never see such flashy and big rims on a CKD. Although the ride quality with that low a profile and run flats wouldn't be the best, I yet give them the credit for being Bold!
Mercedes India ought to learn a lesson and give better alloys on the S350d and S500. The maybach has good rims but yet not as good as the M sport here.
Another significant thing better than the S is the boot of the 7. The S has the spare wheel sitting in the middle with no designated space for it hence also 70% of the boot space is eaten up.
Has BMW also made the bold move of introducing radar tech in this? How else does the adaptive cruise control with start stop function?


EDIT:

The rims on the Msport shown here are optional. I was giving BMW way too much credit
Here is the image of the actual rims that come standard on the Msport 7. They are at par with the maybach s500 rims but not quite as nice

[deetjohn]

Incredible engineering! The BMW 750Li M Sport at INR 1.55 crore looks great value for money for a CBU.

So bad it looks a bit daft from the front. We could have had a great fight between the S and the 7 otherwise. The Mercedes walks it when both are parked side by side.

I like the XL kidney grille but that headlight is all very wrong. This image below took me exactly 3 minutes on Paint and its a very crude job but looks better to me. I would have loved the headlights to be this short.

[Turbanator]

but for offering those M sports rims standard on that variant

I am not sure if these are standard, as per spec sheet - M versions will come with 19-inch style 647 and the one above looks more like 20 or 21 inches with 30 profile which I doubt can make to Indian market.

that headlight is all very wrong.

Agreed , I think most of the manufacturers first design larger models and then continue with that theme to lower versions , in case of BMW now its going another way , we first saw these headlights on 3 and now on 7 looks 5 will be next before Head designers get transferred , they could have done better given the size of car

[bigron]

Certainly has its share of tech and features. Some ground breaking some merely to extend the options list.
They have done a fine job with models and pricing I am assuming is all right for someone in that price bracket.
But its the exterior where they fall short. Standing next to the S it cant hold its own. Just looks like an extended enlarged pumped up version of their smaller models.And despite the strides in quality and cabin feel this cabin design is way to old.

[Akshay1234]

I had gone for a preview of this a few weeks ago. And it really made me go wow! The car looks a lot better in person than in pictures. Unfortunately they didn't have the M sport spec there. The interiors were just something else, and I think they will give the S class interiors a run for their money. Quality and materials used are truly top notch, and the lighting especially the sky lounge is great!

Waiting to see how the air suspension performs on our roads, and if the ride quality is anywhere near the S class.

Prices too seem to be fine, and the M sport trim adds a lot of features for just a couple of lacs more.