German Car Zone

Overview:


The last time BMW unveiled a new 7-Series there was a feeling that the designers had lost the plot. 'What on God's holy earth were they thinking of?' was the general reaction to a car that looked, well... ugly.

After seven years we sort of got used to the ugliness, and y'know, we came to love it. It was like a successful arranged marriage - the unsightly aspects became beautiful and we got comfortable with the whole thing; relaxed, almost.

That was the fourth-generation 7-Series and the next incarnation, due to go on sale in the UK in November, will not have the same problems. This is a car that you'll like pretty much straight away because it looks... quite nice.

The changes form a neater, if conservative, design. From the front there's a new light cluster with LED lamps, a broader air intake and larger kidney grilles. From the rear there's a svelte looking L-shaped light cluster and a more coupe-like shape. From the side the car looks longer thanks to an elongated sill and a cleaner, more defined shoulder line. Oh, and there's a little chrome thingy surrounding the side indicators, which is nice.

So if you buy a 7-Series you are not buying an ugly girlfriend with a nice personality - you're getting the whole package.

And there's more. Added to the engine line-up is a V8 petrol that, admittedly, will be largely ignored by the UK market, and a whole host of 'better stuff' underneath the skin. 7-Series buyers will get more gadgetry that's easier to use - a reworked iDrive, improved dynamics and performance, a classier interior, greater efficiency and less carbon dioxide emissions. It's on a completely new platform with entirely new underpinnings so there's no suggestion that this car is just an extension of the previous generation. BMW has also introduced four-wheel-steering on this range - a system that yields better handling and manoeuvrability - and its Efficient Dynamics package to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase fuel economy. This incarnation is 55kgs lighter than the old car, delivers 3.8% more torque, 6% more power and cuts fuel consumption by 10%. The whole range also benefits from improvements in the chassis that has delivered 60% more torsional rigidity.

The current benchmark in this class is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. BMW boasts that this latest offering, priced between £54,160 and £69,400, sets a 'a new benchmark in automotive luxury'. That's a moot point, but the new 7-Series certainly looks like it has all the weapons in its armoury to take the battle to Merc and win.


Full Article:


BMW 7-Series (2008-) | Car Review | Road Test | 4car | Channel 4


M

Brilliant review.

^Yes but why only four star rating? i thought after reading all that it's get at least half star less than 5

The S-class got 4.5 stars. So much for DOS vs. Windows.

^ Yeah that's why i wondered,after that raving review i expected a full five

Can the boys have this discussion when we see a direct head to head comparison instead. So far its only been one head to had comparison and this review isnt the one.

Some people are realy making you do overtime isn't it

The more pics I see the more I love it... If I would have the money and the age I'd order one. But I haven't
It indeed is weird that hey only gave it a 4 star rating. Maybe from now on they will start giving the stars harder, cause otherwise it should have gotten 6 stars, that's something to think about isn't it

Well it's just the same reviewers

Channel 4 also gave the previous generation S-class 4.5 stars.
They gave the 125i 4 stars.
Then this mean both previous generation S-class and the new S-class is better than the brand new 7-series and just as good as a 125i. And the new S-class isn't better than previous generation S-class (outrage).

I'm so glad I bought 1-series and not a 7-series because my car is just as good as the new 7-series and only a half star worse than W220/221 S-class I just saved bunch load of cash

You just said it all, nose-to-nose is what I'm waiting for & I know, she is one surprising car ...!