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As the recognized benchmark in its class, the BMW 7
Series is rolling proof that large, opulent sedans need not be
hulking behemoths with slow reflexes and even slower acceleration
capabilities. The car has undoubtedly shown over its four previous
generations that “luxury” and “high performance” are terms
not exclusive to one another.
Recently, Philippine BMW
distributor Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC) unveiled the latest
rendition of this luxury car-redefining uber sedan, and the new 7
Series promises to continue the model’s tradition.
“The BMW 7 Series is our
flagship model and we are very much pleased to offer this to the
discerning Philippine market,” said ACC Chairman Jose Ch. Alvarez.
“With the introduction of the new 7 Series, ACC intends to further
strengthen its market leadership in the premium market segment.”
According to BMW, the 7 Series is
“the result of perfection in design and supreme engineering on the
drive train, on the chassis, in terms of safety systems, driver
assistance and comfort.” And apparently, the carmaker isn’t
making such lofty claims without basis.
Power choices
Available in three variants, the
7 Series arrives in the Philippines as the 750Li and the 740Li, ACC
opting not to bring in yet the car’s diesel powered version. Both
packing twin turbo-chargers and BMW’s High Precision Injection,
the 750Li’s 4.4-liter V8 makes 407 horsepower from 5,500rpm to
6,400rpm and an astounding 600 Newton-meters of torque from a low
1,750rpm—just a little over idling speed—to 4,500rpm. BMW
reckons the 750Li can do 100kph from a standstill in 5.3 seconds,
topping out at an electronically governed maximum speed of 250kph.
Those are sports car figures.
The 740Li, for its part, is no
less potent even if it’s fitted with a smaller 3.0-liter
inline-six engine. Producing 326 horsepower and 450 Newton-meters of
torque, the engine propels the car from naught to 100kph in six
seconds flat and a top speed of 250kph, according to BMW.
A six-speed automatic
transmission is mated to whichever power plant choice, which both
comply with Euro5 emission standards.
Both cars, too, benefit from what
BMW calls EfficientDynamics—the carmaker’s weight reduction
program. As such, the new 7 Series uses steel in its body structure
but the car’s roof, doors, hood and fenders are made from
lightweight aluminum. Its front spring struts, differential housing
and engine—most notably the block and heads—are also built from
aluminum.
Besides power capabilities, the
new 7 Series has as standard equipment BMW’s Dynamic Damper
Control that integrates the Dynamic Driving Control feature, which
can be operated by pressing a button on the car’s center console
to alter ride and handling qualities. Three settings are available;
Comfort, Normal and Sport.
Luxury choices
As a flagship model, BMW chose
the new 7 Series as the venue from where to launch its trend-setting
iDrive control system, which operates the car’s entertainment,
telecommunication, navigation and climate control functions.
For entertainment, the car is
fitted with large LCD screens mounted not on the back of the front
seats’ headrests—as the norm is—but on the seatbacks. These
monitors operate individually and have two headsets and two AUX-in
ports as well as a DVD player. The car’s entertainment system also
has its own hard disk and a USB port from where to store or to
source audio and video files in several formats. A DAB double tuner
takes care of radio broadcasts.
Swathed in leather and other high
quality materials, the car’s cabin has four-zone automatic climate
control and seats with active ventilation and massager. BMW assured
the new 7 Series, like its forebears, has maximum occupant safety
equipment that address all conceivable types of collision. Besides
the passive safety devices, the car’s active safety features like
the various traction and stability control systems further ensure
the car’s competence in this regard.
Now sold at all authorized BMW
dealerships, the 7 Series 750Li is priced at P10.7 million while the
740Li sells for P9.7 million.
-Brian Afuang
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