BMW 7 Series: The ultimate luxury, technology ... driving machine
When thinking about “halo” vehicles and what it means to a brand – you would be hard-pressed to find a car more in touch with its true self than BMW’s 7-Series.
This flagship model has long driven the innovation envelope for top-of-segment luxury, the latest in technology, and unmatched driving experiences. Having a reputation for stately elegance, the 7-Series has once again started a new chapter for the brand.
History and Passion
BMW first started importing cars to the United States in 1956, but its lineage extends back to the early 1900s, when the German company released its first motorcycle in 2023 and first car by 1928.
Headquartered in Munich, BMW focuses on evolving its vehicles with the driver in mind, having built a following because of its generational adherence to that philosophy. One such believer is Jeff Snow of North Carolina’s BMW of Southpoint, a BMW Genius for the Durham dealership. He’s a true aficionado of the brand who often can’t wait for his daily drives.
“Currently, my car is a 2018 BMW M4,” said Jeff, a smile broadening his face. “Black Sapphire Metallic and I have done some custom work to make it a little more my style. I will never sell my M4 – I love it to death.
“I’ve owned three BMWs,” Jeff continued. “I have always been a fan of the brand. As a customer, (my) transition to (becoming an) employee was because of my interest in Hendrick and BMW. I knew this was a place I (saw) myself making a career and am super fascinated with how BMW is continuing as a brand. (It is) the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine.’”
Jeff will be guiding our HendrickCars.com blog journey today.
Moving the Brand Forward
BMW has traditionally attempted to marry the driving experience with luxury and practicality. Now in its seventh generation, the 7-Series started its journey in 1977. Always on the top floor -- each generation more luxurious than the next -- it has defined what is possible for the brand.
The 2023 BMW 7-Series is a master class of forward thinking for automobile design, luxury and technology. “Welcome to the Top” is how BMW USA would describe it.
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“The new 7-Series is integrating the new era of what kind of car BMW is trying to create,” Jeff said. “We have three models of the 7-Series. The 740 – which has the six cylinder – we have the 760, which has the eight cylinder (version) -- and now we have the i7, which is the fully electric version. You don’t know luxury until you have sat inside the interior of a 7-Series. It is truly the most comfortable driving experience one can have.”
A Powerful Trio
As Jeff stated, the 740i sedan offers customers a 3.0-liter BMW TwinTurbo incline V6 with 24 valves and 375 horsepower. It combines a twin-scroll turbocharger with variable valve control and direct injection. A 4.4-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo V-8 engine, boasting 32 valves and an impressive 536 horsepower, powers the 760i. An eight-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual shift modes, electric throttle control, electronically controlled engine cooling and brake energy re-generation come standard with every 7-Series drive train.
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Meanwhile, the i7 electric version has 650 horsepower, goes 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and has a range of up to 295 miles. With its M-Aerodynamic kit and M-specific features, this all-electric machine is the ultimate luxury EV. In addition, both the 760i and i7 come with an all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering option.
“One of the great things about the BMW 7-Series is that it actually has all-wheel steering,” Jeff said. “It being a longer car, there is the thought it could be harder to steer in tighter situations. With the assisted steering, it makes turning extremely easy and agile. As soon as you have those wheels turned in the front, the car feels very in-synch. If you can drive a car with rear-wheel steering, you feel it as soon as you turn. It makes the car so maneuverable in any situation like a tighter parking space. It works perfectly alongside its technology like its camera systems and warning devices.”
An Ample Beauty
There is no bolder statement than the exterior of a 2023 BMW 7-Series. With a variety of color options and Pearlescent Fleck accents, the vehicle is a standout. The 20-inch M-Dynamic bi-color wheels, 907 all-season run-flats, power-folding, heated mirrors and Showdowline exterior trim emotes a feel that is unmistakably BMW. Not to mention the embedded Swarovski Crystals that enhance the headlights distinctive look.
“If the exterior of the car doesn’t catch your eye, the twinkling headlights will,” Jeff said. “The paints we use on the exterior are extraordinary and its overall stature demands your attention. It has a real road presence with (its) LCI headlights, split into two portions to look like (they are) stacked. Depending on the finishes and packages you choose, you can have a black-and-chrome grill or a black grill. Personally, I like the chrome grill, as it gives the car a luxurious finish.
“With its ride height and larger wheels, there’s no ‘getting down’ into the car,” he added. “You more slide into it. The subtle touches outside the vehicle – like chrome – really makes the vehicle pop. The finishes are really a statement to me. It is very classic.”
The Interior. Oh, the Interior
A plush leather interior greets drivers with luxury amenities throughout, while the latest technology awaits its turn to shine. Advanced comfort features include remote engine start, keyless entry, one-touch power windows with remote capability, four-zone climate control, automatic light dimming, power tailgate and much, much more.
“Tons of standard equipment on the vehicle, as well as optional items such as the new BMW theatre screen, which deploys from the ceiling and allows your passengers to connect to any HTMI source or a remote Amazon Fire Stick,” Jeff revealed.
BMWs are equipped with the latest iDrive system, highlighted by a wide-ranging display ergonomically angled towards the driver for a singular, minimalist view. The all-digital instrument cluster is central to the driver and fully configurable to your liking. Navigation, on-board systems – Apple Car Play or Android Auto – highlight an arrangement that includes drive recorder, traffic and light camera information and a road hazard warning system. The seats are massaging, heated and cooled, and offer a welcoming visual backdrop for the heated and cooled cup holders. The lighting is precise and efficient.
“There are LED lights everywhere -- in the doors, under your feet,” Jeff continued. “Even above, there are lights interwoven into the ceiling. You also have privacy blinds, which is nice when you have the data screen (active), it deploys for both of the rear windows, the rear windshield and above. The dual axle air suspension makes you ride comfortable, as well as the privacy glass, which makes inside the cabin extremely quiet and the passenger experience in the back seats very luxurious.”
It is All There Waiting for You
When BMW first introduced this latest version of the 7-Series in 2022, it re-iterated its commitment to sustainability, performance and technology. According the brand, “with the new BMW 7 Series, the world’s most successful manufacturer of premium vehicles is creating forward-looking ways to enjoy pure driving satisfaction, unsurpassed long-distance comfort, and a top-end digital experience.”
“BMW has always had a lot of the same features, just updated throughout the model years,” Jeff noted. “We’ve had screens on the back of headrests for years, now we have one, big theatre screen. There is evolution. One of the great things about the new revision is that a lot of the car is different, but as soon as you drive the car you immediately know you are in a BMW.”
As a Hendrick Automotive Group team member and BMW Genius, Jeff is extremely keen on the dealership experience. Feeling strongly that customers should be able to enjoy the entire breadth of what this advanced vehicle has to offer.
“We’ve had Car Play and a lot of standard tech in cars for the last couple of years, but now its getting to a point where phones have become an integral part,” Jeff explained. “You can use your BMW app to park your car. You can (also) park your car from your phone. It can pull up from (a) parking space from your phone. It is important to have all the information when you are interested in these cars.
“If you want to schedule a time to come back and learn more – we call those encores,” Jeff added. “We want you to take advantage of that. Please feel encouraged to come back in two or three weeks. If you have questions about your car, we want to help. We’re very responsive, and we’ll set up for a time for you to come in. We even go to customers houses to spend some time. It’s a big paradigm shift with technology and how integrated everything is.”
As Jeff said, BMW continues to set the standard for the future of motoring. What’s interesting, is that its available today in the 7-Series.
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