LAUNCH REPORT:

BMW 7-Series (2005) review

by Alan Douglas (3 May 2005)

At first glance it may seem that the new flagship BMW 7-Series is the result of only a simple nip and a tuck to rectify the ageing process, even though it's only three and a half years old. But in fact, the latest version has none of the exterior bodywork from the previous model which was revealed to the sound of gasps at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2001. BMW says diplomatically that those who saw it at the Show were stunned by its contemporary styling; others felt BMW had blown it by adopting Chris Bangle's controversial designs.

The latest version's appearance is softer and gentler and all-round more acceptable, although the Bangle look suits the others in the range much better, including the new 3-Series which has the trimmest features of all. At the front end, the headlight cluster has been re-shaped and the kidney grille has been widened - partly for aesthetic reasons, but also to help with cooling for the range of new and more powerful engines.

The front bumper has been modified too, to give the car a more significant and powerful stance on the road, and the front spoiler and lower air intakes have also been changed for improved aerodynamics.

The bonnet is bigger, with an enhanced power bulge. Small touches can influence the overall look, such as the subtle crease running along the side and lower valance which, according to the designers, plays light and shade and adds to the definition of the overall shape.

At the back there are other changes such as tapering of the bootlid edges, and the continuous red strip which used to run along the bootlid to connect the two rear light clusters has gone, replaced by a chrome strip.

Inside the car, I struggled to find any real differences but apparently the steering wheel has been reshaped and several of the control knobs now have a chrome surround, while the iDrive controller, which first appeared in the 7 and has been scaled down for other models in the range, now has a leather insert.

The new car comes with five engine variants for the moment, with four petrol and one diesel - the 730d - which so far has accounted for more than half the sales. In the latest version, the straight-six engine has been completely rebuilt and the crankcase is now machined out of aluminium to reduce engine weight by 20kg. The induction process has also been refined with the fuel-air mix now being fed to the combustion chamber via piezo crystal injectors working in conjunction with a new generation of turbochargers.

The crystals are being used for the first time in a BMW and give greater control over the induction process in a common-rail diesel than the old electric magnets they replace. The end result is greater power for less fuel, cleaner exhaust emissions and a reduction in engine noise. Output is increased by 6% to 231bhp to give a 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 149mph. There are also improved tax benefits for the business user with a CO2 emissions figure of 216g/km.

On the petrol front too, there are significant changes, starting with the 730i which now has the world's lightest volume production six-cylinder petrol engine. It's already been seen in the 330i, 530i and the 630i and is 10kg lighter than the outgoing engine.

As with the 740i and 750i, there's improved performance and increased economy. This car may be big, but it still follows the BMW principle of driving pleasure. Unlike competitors in this luxury segment of the market which tend to concentrate on a soft, smooth ride from cushioned air suspension, the 7 can still be driven enthusiastically thanks to superb suspension, built largely from aluminium which again means big savings in weight.

The latest 7-Series is superb to travel in, either as a driver, or in the vastness of the rear of the long-wheelbase version with a chauffeur up front, and it can only improve on the success of the previous model, which in spite of criticism is the most successful 7 to date with sales of around 2000 a year in the UK. It still lags behind the Jaguar XJ and the Mercedes S-Class but BMW seems happy to have something which is seen as being a little more exclusive with sportier driving characteristics.

Prices start at £48,925 for the 730i rising to £78,850 for the 760i or up to £80,975 for the long-wheelbase models. BMW also let me loose in the very exclusive version, the High Security 7-Series which, depending on the specification, comes in around the £220,000 mark.

In these security-minded times, this is designed for world leaders and heads of state, big names from political and business and a growing number of celebrities. Each one is custom-built from scratch with integrated steel armour forming the bodyshell. The bullet- and bomb-proof windows are more than three inches thick and the car itself can withstand two grenades on the roof and two underneath. The doors are so heavy, they are electrically powered to open and close and the tyres have a solid rubber core so they can still operate even if all four have been punctured by gunfire.

The car bristles with electronics and is able to patch into police radio networks, has its own air supply and extinguisher system. And if things get really bad, an emergency button under a safety cover will fire explosive charges which blow out the windscreen to provide an emergency exit.

Last year, BMW sold almost 200 of them - including around a dozen in the UK - and that number is expected to grow with the new model. But that's as much information as BMW will give you. Customers are as closely-guarded a secret as the car itself. All BMW will say is that Germany and Russia are the two biggest markets.