The street reaction to the all new BMW signature nose drew plenty of positive and also negative comments.
Even DSF are a little surprised at BMW’s decision to revise their traditional classy nose with the new “larger than headlights” makeover.
The test car sported a brand new BMW colour, Bernina Grey, which received some admiring glances and some questions on its name when we cruised the city.
The design language
This new BMW 7 Series in the Pure Excellence exterior design comes with a large, upright kidney grille with active shutters complemented by a larger BMW roundel.
The front apron no longer includes fog lights, and the new slim and elongated headlights with laser light technology are now a characteristic design feature of BMW luxury models.
A first for BMW, the lower front apron has large air guides running across the outer air inlets, where incoming air is directed to the brake air channels and the Air Curtain.
A new aspect of the side view is the almost-vertical Air Breather just behind the front wheel arches.
The long wheelbase and precisely sculpted character lines also give the vehicle an imposing stance from the side.
The air vents integrate into the side panel and extend further up, optimising the air stream through the wheel arches.
The New BMW 7 Series features 19″ light alloy wheels in double-spoke style 630 bicolour with mixed tyres.
The cabin experience
This luxury sedan is equipped with a stylish sports steering wheel, Poplar Grain grey fine-wood trim, Alcantara headliner and Nappa leather upholstery.
The electrically adjustable comfort seats feature a massage function for rear passengers, and a panoramic glass roof lets passengers peek above the vehicle.
Automatic four-zone control air-conditioning and roller sunblinds are standard. The rear-seat Entertainment Experience system lets you enjoy music via 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.
The six cylinder beast under the hood
Sitting at the heart of the vehicle is a three-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with a peak output of 210 kW/286 hp. The advanced electric motor accompanying it contributes another 83 kW/113 hp.
Under the rear seats is a lithium-ion battery with state-of-the-art cell technology and improved storage capacity.
This enables the New BMW 740Le xDrive Pure Excellence to cover 46 kilometres on electric power alone. The all-electric top speed is 140 km/h.
The plug-in hybrid drive boasts an electric boost function for significantly more powerful acceleration.
When the Driving Experience Control is set to Sport mode, the 740Le has an overall system output of 290 kW/394 hp.
The luxury sedan is capable of doing the century sprint in just 5.1 seconds, with a combined fuel consumption of 2.8 litres per 100km, and a combined carbon emission of 65 g/km.
An eight-speed Steptronic transmission offers exceptional power to the drive wheels.
The transmission is intelligently integrated with the navigation system, the cameras and the radar sensors, enabling efficient use of the start/stop system and the coasting function.
The intelligent coasting prevents inefficient engine cut-offs. The electric motor is fully integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission as well.
This ensures that pure-electric driving, the dynamics-enhancing electric boost function and the recuperation of braking energy are all extremely efficient.
The New BMW 740Le sets a new benchmark in riding comfort and driving experience, thanks to its advanced chassis design.
It incorporates an intelligent mix of aluminium, high-strength steel with a body of magnesium and carbon reinforcements (Carbon Core).
The rear seat experience
This is where most owners will spend their time and there is little to fault as the seats are very accommodating and the powered adjustments will help both tall and not so tall owners get comfortable.
The music and climate controls are in easy reach via a detachable touch screen tablet housed in the rear center console.
Sound insulation is almost as good as in its newly acquired sibling’s product, the Rolls Royce.
For owners who enjoy driving themselves, the three-liter six-cylinder engine is a joy across the engine revolution range.
This 286bhp engine works with a 113bhp electric motor that provides seamless power delivery and makes driving this large sedan easy.
The handling is agile and you might almost forget that you have a long spacious rear end following you, with only the tight corners reminding you of its long wheelbase and weight.
When its battery is charged and you drive diligently in ECO mode you can get a fuel sipping 2.8 litres per 100km.
The conclusion
Is this the best luxury sedan under RM1 million? Its immediate rivals, the Mercedes-Benz S560e (RM658, 888 CKD), the Audi A8 (RM880, 000 CBU) and the Lexus LS (RM799, 000 CBU) are no less comfortable and spirited.
It boils down to which luxury car design tickles your fancy at first sight and which piques your interest when you are lounging in the rear seat.
It is hard to ignore this Bernina Grey sedan when you realise that the previous sixth generation 730Li sold for RM698,000 in Malaysia, was a good RM104,000 more for a less technologically equipped car.
Specifications BMW 740Le xDrive
Engine: 6-cylinder Twin Scroll Turbo Petrol
Capacity: 2998cc
Transmission: eight speed automatic transmission
Max Output: 282bhp @ 5000rpm
Max Torque: 450Nm @ 1500rpm
0-100km/h: 5.1 seconds
Top Speed: 250km/h (restricted)
Price: RM594, 800
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