Looks like they might have finally nailed it after 30 years of trying (since the launch of the first 7 to have something competitive with the ever-mighty S).

This review is from a group that has never liked a 7 before (especially over and S-class), and have always felt that a 7 was never even close to an S-class in each of the previous generations -- an S to them was almost always on a different plane. Using terms like "revolution" and "awe" to describe it might mean that they could have finally produced something competitive.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/...09-CAR-review/


BMW 740i (2009) CAR review
By Richard Aucock

First drive

28 July 2008 08:58


We've just been behind the wheel of BMW's new 7-series, at the company's Miramas test base. And while this 7-series might be a taped-up pre-production car, it's all but ready. So we've taken the unusual step of driving a car before its official launch to see if the promised tech fest is worth waiting for ahead of its November 2008 launch.

The new BMW 7-series looks a bit like a revised version of the old car...
It does, in photographs at least. As designer Karim Habib explained, only in the metal does it gain life (designers frequently watch clay mock-ups being towed outdoors, to see how shapes ‘move’).

And it’s some display of sculptural art, the new Seven. Much more cohesive than the bit-part old car. BMW-trademark proportions push the front wheels right forward, emphasising the gap between A-pillar and wheel centre. Near-vertical kidneys are pushed forwards too, reinforcing the car's length.

But it’s the new 7-series' surfacing that’s most remarkable. Take the side: an organic form, twisting inboard at the front wheels, free-flowing outwards towards the rear. This is Habib's favourite aspect. He claims that modern BMW design is all about light falling on the sheet metal.



The interior was controversial on the old car, too…
And, again, it’s been matured here. Decadent and impeccably finished, there’s plenty of trick detailing inside the new BMW 7-series' cabin. Black panel dials, for example, mimic high-end hi-fis, apparently. The jury’s still out on whether we like them, though. You can even order ceramic finishes.

The oh-so-controversial iDrive is integrated into the dash, rather than sitting pod-like on top, and its screen, as hi-res as HD TV, incorporates new logic. We think this is a big step forward. As with an iPod, you immediately understand how to use the new-style iDrive. BMW isn’t too proud to admit this means a few more buttons, Audi MMI-style. And you now get a gearlever rather than a stalk.

Oh, and the new BMW 7-series also has world-first internet-surfing ability. Shame that the UK market will have to wait while the phone tariffs are sorted out.

What’s that big button next to said gearlever?
A Sport button. Seen it all before? Not like this you haven’t. The 7-series' chassis systems are among the most complex of any in the world – and also completely integrated by a central command unit. They all speak, barter and help each other out. Four ‘Dynamic Driving Control’ modes offer tangible differences that hone steering, throttle, gearshift, (standard) fully-adaptive dampers and driver aid leniency. Furthermore, there's the option of Integral Active Steering with sector-unique rear-steer. We'd recommend buying it – it really works rather well.



I’m guessing the 7-series you drove had rear-steer.
Yes, and the effect dazzled. As standard, the new 7-series is a big limo with an agile crispness akin to a much smaller 3-series. Press 'Sport', and the helm gets tauter and more detailed.

But with rear steer, through corners, BMW's new limo becomes irresistible. In essence, it puts sideways castors on the rears; when the nose turns, you immediately feel the rear wheels do so too, in the same or opposing direction to suit. It’s bizzarely natural and satisfying. Even rear passengers benefit; cue one unjolted FT reader during an evasive lane-change – no roll-induced yaw reaction, you see.

With such agility, the apprehension of driving a large car is removed (even the turning circle is slashed). Believe us, on first evidence, this rear-steer innovation marks a luxo handling revolution.

But development saw BMW prioritise the comfort as much as the handling here. A fundamental shift? Well – shock – they’ve even switched from their beloved suspension struts to double wishbones. The result is plush-riding comfort unruffled by surface harshness, the actively damped body remaining unerringly level. Supple, quiet, luxurious. Who says runflat BMWs can’t ride well? They're improving with every passing generation...


Does it shift?
Of course it does. Our 740i had a 3.0-litre twin-turbo six. The 335i engine? In a nutshell, yes; even the turbos are identical. But they’ve boosted it to 326bhp and 332lb ft. That means 62mph in just 5.9sec. It’s damn quick.

The 5.2sec 0-62mph 750i’s 407bhp twin-turbo V8 is a warrior, with fast-spooling turbos and such electric throttle response you’d swear it packed a V12 under the hood. But 85 percent of UK drivers will have jaws dropped in another way; by a 245bhp 3.0-litre diesel that does 62mph in 7.2sec, 39.2mpg, and emits 192g/km of CO2. Staggering on such a big car? I reckon so.



Verdict
I've had to think long and hard before writing this verdict. You see, I don't want to sound like the BMW PR machine. But when something’s as blinding, on first taste, as the new 7-series, we're left in awe. The new Seven is big-car comfortable yet junior exec agile, which further defies convention with its combination of pace and green credentials.

Come back in September 2008 to see if we are qualified to use the S-slass-beater headline we’ve prepared. On first acquaintance with pre-production cars, the new 7-series feels that good.

 

linky no worky, any pics.

 

car ain't looking that bad in reality, but as always...wait for the comparo!!

 

Fixed the link, should work now. The review/site has mildly disguised pics, plus that site also has official release pics.

 

thanks,,, I was expecting a more radical design change. a bit disappointed. I still think the S (AMG) class is uncontested. A8 in my opinion is the closest thing.

 

+1- dont think the 7 can really totally compare. Maybe in some aspects but not all.

 

This new 7 looks outstanding! Cant wait to trade in my s for this. PLEASE stop the auction price drop.

 

I just returned from a few weeks in Italy and this thread's mention of a 40MPG diesel 7 series reminded me of the very high number of S and E class diesels I saw in the cities. Both BMW and MB need to rethink their positions on US diesels in their premium class offerings. I have ridden and driven a few E diesels and I would be lying if I said that you couldn't still hear some low level ticking at idle, but I believe a significant number of diesel units could be moved in the US both by MB (S class) and BMW (7 series).

 

Whoever designed the grill.........ew.


The one thing that I never liked about the 7 series (and BMW's in general) is the interior is to pointy and has to many sharp lines IMO.

 

Absurd to extrapolate EU/RoW preferences to US....

New S65 in US only costs what a new S500 costs in much of RoW....

Fuel in US is only <$5/gall....EU fuel costs closer to $10/gall...

Houses in London cost about 2x houses in SF/NYC/LA....and 3x+ houses in rest of US....

Net, net, typical US buyer often has ample ability to $0-down lease cheap, more powerful S/CL, disposed of every 2yrs....

And there's a reason BMW/Audi/Lex are always priced some $10-15K less than S550 in US....and why many alleged luxury car mfrs hardly sell any $100K+ cars, let alone $150K+ cars in US....

 

I have actually been very excited to hear that the facelifted S is going to be available with a four-cylinder hybrid diesel (not sure if diesotto or not) with more torque than the current 550 and an economy approaching 45miles per gallon. Having soon to spend three to six months a year in Europe--I am opening an office/operations for my consulting firm--I think it is time for a new 221.

 

If it gets anything near 45mpg I'm in

 

Doubt it'll be available in the US. The price M-B would have to sell it for here would leave no room for profit.

 

While the 2009 7-Series has some nice improvements (suspension, engine/power, and technology), the design seems still too staid. The console seems even more cluttered/busy - but that's more consistent with a car designed around sport as the primary function. For my tastes, I preferred the more minimalist interior design of the S-Class - with an emphasis on luxury.

 

seeing the new 740 makes you appreciate the S Class all that much more...

 

Don't view the entire US luxury market only from one POV. This is not a US vs ROW issue, diesels of course have always been more popular in ROW because of the absolute cost of fuel there (and several supporting reasons). Europeans didn't buy diesels because they saw they had higher prices than the US, they bought them because fuel was high. The US now has fuel costs that look like Europe just a few years ago when Europe already had a very high diesel penetration. There are many people in the US who can afford today's gas prices but would like to be doing a bit more to cut down on consumption (I'm not a greenie, my stomach turns when I peer into these silly looking hybrids and see the vacuous stares of the True Believers). Diesels and non-silly looking hybrids are on their way and both BMW and MB ought to be plugged in IMO.

I'm not sure about Audi but I thought Lexus and BMW had better margins than MB on their vehicles so I'm not sure of the implication of the comment about the $10-15K underpricing unless I'm mis-remembering.

I've likewise missed the point of the comment about London housing costs? I doubt Londoners are affording these houses by buying diesel S classes. MB diesels are all over European cities besides London, but I will grant that many are probably limo's, cabs, hotels, rentals, etc. I would assume that London and other high cost of living cities have more luxo cars, not fewer, than other cities.

 

Sydney Australia is now basically a London of the Southern Hemisphere because housing and petrol prices are so high and because of high congestion. IMO there are quite a lot of luxury cars but the AMGs are extremely rare, most people here buy the cheapest one and deck it out with everything. People are now also drifting towards the diesels but it is kind of redundant as you end up paying twice as much for fuel and get twice the distance, the only thing you save is the amount of time you are at a gas station really.