With only me-too semi-autonomous features such as a lane-centering function that falls short of a true self-steering system, BMW’s hallmark for the 7-series is literally a bunch of hand waving. It’s even more difficult to quantify the benefits of the in-car tech. It rides almost as well as a Rolls-Royce and is nearly as quiet to my ear.” -K.C. And while the dynamics engineers failed to make full use of this advantage, the sophisticated material mix delivers a sturdy structure and a cabin insulated from the din of traffic and the rush of wind. The weight savings helped our 740i undercut a Mercedes-Benz S550 (which admittedly lugs around two extra cylinders and one additional turbocharger) by more than 400 pounds. The 7’s structure is a cocktail of aluminum, steel, and carbon fiber, the only visible clue being a pair of “Carbon Core” badges behind the doors on the B-pillars.
Our long-term 740i hid its biggest technological advance beneath a coat of rich Jatoba Brown Metallic paint. Instead, it served up a conservative evolution of aging design motifs, dubious infotainment advances, and the soggiest suspension from a Bimmer in recent memory. BMW could have delivered a knockout by blending those attributes into the complete package. The latest S-class introduced Mercedes’ progressive and opulent interiors, Audi’s A8 champions intuitive tech, and the Cadillac CT6 is the driver’s choice. Our drivers piloted the 740i through 12 states, one Canadian province, and the District of Columbia during its 12-month stay, filling the logbook with high praise from occupants arriving refreshed and relaxed.īut serene highway cruising is hardly special in this segment of German big boys, and BMW’s failure to stake out a more compelling position leaves the 7-series chasing the competition. The 7-series shined brightest when our staffers treated it as a more dignified alternative to commercial air travel. That buoyant ride, in concert with a placid cockpit, plush seats, and a 500-plus-mile range, definitely had its virtues. It’s evident in the way this limo rolls down the road with enough float in the suspension to raise the Edmund Fitzgerald. The 7 makes clear that the drift of the 3- and 5-series from sports sedans to less athletic luxury cars isn’t a fluke but a brand-wide movement. Where To, Boss? 2016 BMW 750i xDrive Tested!Ī year and 40,000 miles with Munich’s latest flagship, a 2016 BMW 740i, confirms what we’ve been saying for almost a decade: The soil under BMW HQ has truly shifted.
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