To borrow a phrase from GM's defunct Oldsmobile brand, this is not your father's BMW. Loaded with a glut of technical amenities, the 2007 BMW 7 Series appeals to a finite group of tech-savvy motorists looking to roll in style. Parts & People recently had the opportunity to play the part, at least for a week, in the 2007 BMW 750i. This high-end Beamer is loaded with all the luxuries and goodies one would expect from an $80,000 vehicle. For starters, it came equipped with optional 20-inch rims, a fashionable statement to make on the road.
To add to the ride's bling factor, the 7 Series comes coated in a Xirallic paint that creates a vibrant finish, giving the car greater color intensity and a glistening two-tone effect, BMW officials said. They added that on sunny days the "paint finish shines with a special glamour."
On the inside, the tested unit had a Luxury Seating Package with ventilated seats in the front, heated seats in the rear, and power sunshades in the rear side windows and rear window for those sunny days.
The vehicle is equipped with a push-button ignition and an onboard navigation and audio system that makes the driver feel like he's readied himself for takeoff. Although the operation of the navigation system and audio system is difficult at first, the functions of the mouse are intuitive and can be picked up in a short time.
Aptly, the 750i was 007's ride of choice in the 1997 James Bond movie, Tomorrow Never Dies. While hood-mounted rockets are not yet available, one piece of surreal gadgetry has made it into the 2007 production version, a Night Vision option. A thermal-imaging camera is mounted below the front bumper to help detect objects difficult to see in low light, according to a press release. It is also equipped with more practical high-tech goodies.
Friends who want to play their favorite playlist on their iPod or MP3 player need not worry, since the 7 Series is equipped with a standard auxiliary input for such devices. The 13-speaker Premium Sound Package, a $1,800 upgrade, sounded great.
New for the 750i this year is a 4.8-liter V-8 engine that produces 360 HP and 360 lb.-ft. of torque. The aluminum engine is equipped with silicon-impregnated cylinder bores that eliminate the need for cast-iron liners. It is capable of propelling the large 750i from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds.
The engine is mated to a six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The electronic shift control, about the size of a windshield wiper control, takes a bit of time to get used to, given its unusually small size and electronic function.
To further reduce the vehicle's weight, many of its suspension and braking components are made of aluminum, according to a BMW press release.
The tested 2007 750i rolls in at $86,990 with enough amenities to satisfy 007 wannabies who are techies at heart.
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