BMW 730 Ld : Road Test

If you are one of the lucky ones with a very pleasing bank balance and are out in the market for a top of the line luxury car, this is definitely a good time to be in this very wishful dilemma. The luxury market has been booming big time and people want their machines to offer the world. While some of the best manufacturers are trying to get onto the scene and get their share of the action, the old players are busy strengthening their foothold with BMW being one of them. While the 3 and 5 Series have been a runaway success, the 7 Series too is inching closer and closer to being the quintessential boardroom express. The 7 however has always stood out from the crowd aiming not just to offer luxury in the back seat but also put a grin on your face when behind the wheel. Now in its fifth generation, BMW has updated the car extensively giving it a major shot in the arm before bringing in the sixth generation model. So how good is this updated 7 Series? Let’s find out…

Subtle changes

The 7 Series was already a handsome car and with subtle exterior changes it is an even better looker now. The most eye-catching feature of the new BMW 7 Series are the new LED headlights with hallmark BMW corona rings and a smart accent strip, which now ensure the new BMW 7 Series projects a distinctive appearance. The modified BMW kidney grille with nine slats – instead of the previous 12 – and revised front apron set the new model apart from its predecessor. Elsewhere, indicators integrated into the lower section of the exterior mirrors are among the new features visible from the side. And last but not least, the powerfully chiseled rear benefits from a thin chrome strip connecting the two slim reflectors in the rear apron.

    

Plusher insides

Slip into the driver seat and you know you are in a special place. The seats are extremely cosseting and everything feels brilliant to touch and feel. Finding the perfect driving position is just a matter of seconds and a few buttons. The layout however is something that could be better. It’s been around for some time and compared to the competition has started to look a little dated.

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Getting into the back is when the design layout does not matter much. You literally feel like a king pampered on his throne cocooned from outside noise. Individual seats are also available as an option for the rear and can be adapted to passengers’ needs. And the optional Rear Seat Entertainment package with a new 9.2-inch flat screen monitor ensures a refreshing diversion is always at hand over extended journeys. The new 1,200-watt Bang & Olufsen High End Surround Sound System delivers unimpeachable sound quality. Its 16 speakers include an illuminated centre speaker which retracts almost fully into the instrument panel. Luxury is at its best and there is absolutely nothing in here that you will miss. In fact its so good that you will be in a dilemma to get into the drivers seat or be driven around.

The Power of TwinPower turbo

Driving the 730 Ld at its efficient best will barely tell you about what cooking under that long expansive hood. But the moment you bury the throttle, you get a snarl as the new 8-speed gearbox quickly goes down a few cogs to get you into the meat of the powerband. The TwinPower turbo is immediately summoned and what follows is pure force induced nirvana. The traction control is constantly struggling as you put down 258 PS and a hulking 560 Nm of torque. In fact you can feel the wheels wanting to break traction as the electronics work overtime to keep things in check. All this drama from a 3.0 litre six cylinder engine comes across as quite a surprise. BMW claims the 0-100 km/h dash in 6.2 seconds and like all its other cars a governed top speed of 250 km/h and we do not doubt those claims at all.

What has helped significantly here compared to its predecessor is the 8-speed transmission. With smooth and quick shifts, no matter what the situation, the transmission collaborates perfectly with the engine, enabling it to harness its full power and efficiency. And talking about efficiency, with technology like the Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration and the second-generation driving experience control switch with eco pro mode and coasting function, its much more fuel efficient than the earlier car as well.

Limo with track pedigree

No matter how big or long, this is a BMW. The 7 Series have pretty much been the best limos to drive since their very inception and this one is no different. Getting to our location led us through some very twisty sections and putting the big Bimmer through the corners was an absolute joy. There is plenty of feedback from the steering wheel so you know at all times what the front wheels are upto and even if you do manage to hot things up, the electronics step in to cool things down. But in the end its no sportscar, it’s a loaded luxury limousine that thinks it’s a sportscar. With an almost 2 ton kerb weight, tight corners can get tricky at times, but then it’s definitely not meant to attack tracks but pummeling autobahns into submission is definitely one of the 7’s prime fortes.

An impressive spread of chassis wizardry helps give the ride comfort of the BMW 7 Series Sedan a noticeable boost. Complementing the optimised chassis set-up are the modified rubber bearings and new dampers along with the self-levelling air suspension for the rear axle. State-of-the-art electronic control systems with likewise retuned software help to enhance the long-distance attributes of the BMW 7 Series Sedan and ensure that the new car makes travelling on board even more pleasurable – in terms of both dynamics and comfort.

A very compelling buy till…

The new 7 Series then makes quite a strong case for itself. Its better than its predecessor is every possible way. Its more luxurious, its more powerful, its more efficient and with new technologies like the Active Protection system and the Attention Assist is a lot safer too. But with more goodies comes more expense as well, with the 730 Ld now priced at Rs. 92.90 Lakh (all India ex-showroom). While prices are on par with the competition, the face-lifted 7 Series biggest hurdle is going to be the new upcoming S-Class. With the long list of firsts, the new Mercedes is going to be a tough competitor to beat till BMW brings out the next generation 7 Series. But until then, this 7 will make sure the sovereignty is maintained.