KUALA LUMPUR: The all-new BMW 7 Series was officially launched this morning and is billed as the most advanced luxury sedan in its segment.
Two variants are offered here, namely the 730Li at RM698,800 and 740Li at RM888,800. However, for the BMW Group’s centennial celebration, the 730Li and 740Li are offered at RM598,800 and RM788,800 respectively, limited to cars registered within this year.
READ ALSO: First drive of new BMW 7 Series
Retail prices are on the road, without insurance with BMW Group Malaysia’s five-year unlimited mileage warranty, free scheduled service programme and BMW tyre warranty.
“Our aim has always been to create value for our customers and fans here,” said BMW Group Malaysia managing director and CEO Han Sang Yun said at the launch of the 7 Series at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The 740Li gets a 3-litre TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 326hp and torque of 450Nm.
The 730Li has a 2-litre TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder petrol engine, with 258hp and torque of 400Nm.
Standard equipment includes an eight-speed Steptronic transmission, and 19-inch light alloy wheels.
Compared to its predecessor, the new 7 Series is slightly longer (an extra 19mm) while other dimensions remain essentially the same.
This makes it the largest series-produced car BMW has ever built. It is also BMW’s first car to make BMW EfficientDynamics visible.
The Active Air Stream kidney grille is a visible air flap control which only opens when there is an increased cooling air requirement and will remain closed the rest of the time, for improved aerodynamics.
Adding to the many firsts in the luxury segment is also the BMW Laser headlights on the 740Li, which has a range of 600 metres in high-beam mode – twice the range of LED headlights.
The new 7 Series also benefits from an intelligent lightweight design, and new chassis with air suspension.
It has a body structure with Carbon Core, which is technology from the development of BMW i cars.
It is the first car in its segment to have Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), in addition to its mix of aluminium, magnesium and high-strength steel components.
It also has sharper driving dynamics and superior ride comfort, due to sensitive steering with reduced steering effort as well as chassis fine-tuning expertise from BMW engineers.
There is also a self-levelling two-axle air suspension with Dynamic Damper Control which is featured as a standard for the first time.
At speeds of 120km/h and above, the car is lowered by 10mm to enhance aerodynamics whereas ground clearance can be increased by 20mm at speeds up to 35km/h.
Groundbreaking features include the BMW gesture control, an advanced new way of operating a vehicle.
Also a first for production cars, drivers can access certain vehicle functions such as playback volume, accepting or refusing telephone calls by moving a finger or a hand.
This functions via a 3D infrared camera placed in the vicinity of the front cabin light which scans the hand and recognises its motions.
There is also automatic air conditioning with 4-zone control and electrically adjustable comfort rear seats with a massage function which includes the Vitality Programme.
Meanwhile, the BMW Touch Command control unit located in the rear centre console is another innovation for the luxury class.
As the first removable 7-inch tablet that is connected to the vehicle systems, passengers are able to access all comfort and entertainment functions.
Another world-beating innovation is the panaromic Sky Lounge glass roof.
This new feature includes an electric roller sunblind, a slide and tilt function for cabin ventilation and, as a new feature, an unprecedented LED-based lighting installation comprised of over 15,000 lighting elements in the glass of the panoramic roof.
