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Star One-Line Review
The one-hit punch that toppled the S-Class has become even more powerful, and there were still some tricks up its sleeve.
Good
- A flagship sedan that has built an impregnable fortress from internal combustion engines to electrified models
- BMW's signature intuitive handling and the 7th Series' uniquely profound silence
Bad
- A tidy but somewhat bland exterior
- Software that falls short of the theater screen's formidable hardware in the second row
Competitor
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class: It is a Benz because it is a Benz, and it is a Benz. No further explanation needed.
- Genesis G90: "I used to drive a 7 Series."
The war among German-made flagship sedans can hardly be overstated as being synonymous with the history of German cars themselves. At the heart of it all has always been the BMW 7 Series. In an era where electrification is sweeping in, BMW has defined the times with its "Neue Klasse," and this The New BMW 7 Series sits at the pinnacle of that vision. It is for this reason that the new BMW 7 Series cannot be understood through the simple formula of a partial model change.
It has been three years since BMW took the lead over Mercedes-Benz in the flagship sedan war, coinciding with the debut of the current model. To put it simply, the current BMW 7 Series is a true victor that has defeated the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It swayed consumers' hearts by being larger and more eye-catching, featuring an overwhelming theater screen configuration, BMW's signature tight handling, and luxurious lighting technology represented by Iconic Glow.
A partial model change? The New BMW 7 Series is virtually a full model change, solidifying the points that had surprised us even more firmly. It appears to have come out with its teeth bared, aiming for a perfect gap over its predecessor. First, it is the only large flagship sedan to prominently feature a pure electric model. The BMW i7 M70, which unleashes 680 horsepower, stands in the lineup alongside gasoline, diesel, and PHEV models. It is truly an airtight configuration. Personalization options are also substantial. Exterior color combinations can create over 500 different body colors, and automatic doors equipped with ultra-short-range radar sensors further elevate the presence of occupants.
The highlight is the interior. The New BMW 7 Series, dressed in the latest electrified design applying the Neue Klasse, hides its power with Shadow Tech but fully unfolds the spectacle of a luxurious sedan. The multifunction steering wheel may lack a touch of refinement, but it is functional, and the theater screen that exudes an overwhelming sense of space in the second row has evolved to version 2.0. However, as one runs through the software and programs included, one cannot help but wonder if a screen of this size is truly necessary.
The touchscreen revealed on the door catch was both intuitive and practical. What created the best moments during the test drive of this The New BMW 7 Series was the materials. BMW spared no expense in pouring out nearly every material celebrated in the automotive field, from fabric and leather to carbon fiber and aluminum, even distinguishing between where hands and eyes touch. A large sedan of the BMW 7 Series class does not stop at being "good." It must transcend "good" to become an "object of aspiration." This is possible with performance and materials that cannot be matched by mid-size cars. In The New BMW 7 Series, such points could be found countless times.
The model chosen for the test drive was The New BMW 740 xDrive. It is a combination of a 6-cylinder gasoline engine producing 400 horsepower and an 8-speed automatic transmission. It features a classic yet Neue Klasse design, along with infotainment functions incorporating Shadow Tech, and sits in the most accessible price range at around 160 million won. Although I could have driven the i7, the "Silky Six" BMW 6-cylinder engine always steals my heart. Somehow, it felt like I would get to meet the i7 again. In fact, internal combustion engine cars were less popular among test drive participants. The BMW 740 was the 22nd car out of 22 test vehicles.
Once you sit in the car, it feels high and large, as if sitting in a crossover. The launch performance is quiet, immediately feeling familiar and comfortable. In particular, the steering wheel instantly conveys BMW's signature light, agile, and linear response. Even without mentioning rear-wheel steering, it exhibits agility far beyond expectations, allowing you to navigate winding roads with ease by turning the handle just slightly. This car's suspension creates a feeling like a magic carpet. There is almost no sway; it is soft and easily absorbs even rough road surfaces, leaving only mild impact sounds.
The taste of stretching out at high speed is truly fantastic. At low speeds, noise is not felt, but pushing the car to considerable high speeds evokes a dreamlike feeling as if in a vacuum state. And even after completing harsh braking and resuming acceleration, it spits out its maximum torque of 59.1 kg.m, lifting the 2,265 kg super-large sedan back to high speed again. What is important is that this transmission method is never violent or overly dramatic. Noise is suppressed at all times, and there was no rough movement.
During the transition to electrification, when Mercedes-Benz lost focus with its EQ brand, BMW chose a relatively more conservative stance. Instead of prioritizing diversification with an electric-only platform, BMW maintained the policy of designing its main models to use the same platform for both internal combustion engines and electric vehicles. The past 12-cylinder engine BMW M760 became the decisive reason why the generational shift to the BMW i7 M70 could be completed with dignity.
A flagship is another word for leadership. The BMW 7 Series has established itself as a large sedan that exudes clear leadership beyond just being a BMW. It is difficult to find a car that possesses both history and the future, but The New BMW 7 Series sufficiently demonstrated such qualities, standing tall.
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*This content was translated by AI.View Original
