For those who prefer finer things in life, there is the new BMW 7-series
S-Class drivers regard themselves as a breed apart — from the Sultan of Brunei who has billions in oil reserves and dozens of sexy examples to Ultan from Ballina who has an old S280 and a printshop in the garden shed. They vaingloriously look down on every other motoring mortal with some just cause, given the S-Class is Mercedes’ flagship model and the world’s best-selling luxury car.
Imposters from BMW, Audi, Jaguar, and latter-day Japanese pretenders like Lexus, Infiniti, and Accura (the latter two of which cannot — unless you’re really that enthusiastic — be got here) have tried damn hard down the years to muscle in on the Mercedes act.
But the Unterturkheim outfit has resolutely held onto its loyal customers on the back of outstanding design and technical prowess, leaving the others to squabble among themselves for what crumbs are left.
Historically the two most credible contenders have been those from BMW and Audi, but while they are statement cars — certainly in the eyes of those who buy them — they have historically been something of a muted statement in the face of the behemoth which is the S-Class.
And with regard to the BMW contender — the 7 Series — it has traditionally suffered by comparison with the Mercedes largely due to the core values of the Munich concern. Indeed the 7 Series has, down the years, probably been an innocent victim of the company’s ‘driving dynamics’ ethos which has left it inadequately equipped to contend fully with the S-Class on one particular driving characteristic.
While the Merc has always been noted for its’ stellar ride characteristics and its’ ability to waft punters around in ridiculous comfort, the Beemer, by contrast was never really able to match that.
Because of the dynamism demanded by the company’s brand values, a 7 Series was always more able than the Mercedes when it came to at-the-limit driving, but this talent meant it was not so great at the wafting end of things, where the S-Class shone.
As the majority of luxobarge customers demand comfort above any other meritorious trait, this effectively meant the BMW was always going to be found wanting by those very people to whom the car was supposed to appeal.
Having driven many versions of the 7 Series down the years, I have to admit that — as an unbridled drive-the-wheels-off-it sort of guy — the car’s undoubted handling capabilities impressed greatly, but not in a fashion which would have pleased anyone in the rear seats trying to read a newspaper or enjoy a drop of the aforementioned Remy Martin Black Pearl.
This time around though, BMW has dialled back on the ‘dynamic’ end of the car’s performance and, frankly, that’s a good thing in making the car appeal to those who have the sort of shekels to spend on one of these things. Those people want jetliner levels of comfort and not jet fighter manoeuvrability.
This time around BMW has delivered just that and while the bottom line cost of the thing might make even a Lotto winner blanche, you have to remember that in the luxury stratosphere if you want to make a statement, then you’re going to have to pay for it.
The 730d in long wheelbase format which we tested was a tour de force in many departments — spaciousness, décor, space-age equipment, creature comforts, performance, and so forth — but it now also has traded some of its previous edgy credentials for a more reasoned approach which has seen ride quality become more of a focus. And that’s what luxury cars should be all about.
In this case, BMW has also excelled itself with the level of equipment and the remarkable capabilities therein. A waggle of your digits in the general direction of the iDrive command wheel can achieve all sorts of astonishing things in controlling many aspects of the nearly bewildering infotainment and climate control systems, including some excellent — and surprisingly intuitive — electronic safety aids which add greatly to the overall feeling of sophistication on offer here.
And for the rear seat passengers the level of luxury is jaw-dropping. There is a sort of mini-iPad through which — and in between sips of top-end cognac, of course — they can control the various entertainment functions and browse the internet from the comfort of seats which are electronically adjustable.
Then, of course , there is the issue of space which — and I jest not — is of the great outdoors variety. I swear, you could fit vast tracts of Alaska back there without feeling cramped. The long wheelbase layout obviously adds more to the head and legroom dimension. Honestly though, you would not want to suffer from agoraphobia getting into the back of this thing.
And then there’s the engine which is a three-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel and which has, on the evidence I witnessed, to be a class leader when compared with any similarly sized unit in the segment.
With some 195 kW (265 bhp) available, as well as a stonking 620 Nm of torque between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm, it will hit 100km/h from a standing start in just 6.2 seconds and is electronically limited to a 250km/h top speed. It will also, provided you’re not intent on exploring its performance parameters all the time, return a consumption figure of 5.0 l/100km (56.5 mpg).
But if it is wafting you’re after and not consistently pushing the performance envelope, the new 7 Series will provide just that, whisking you and your passengers — or you and your driver, if you prefer to be the one in the back with the cognac — with the sort of magic carpet ride that the 7 Series had previously failed to fully embrace.
The combination of a fantastic chassis, excellent engine, gob-smacking equipment levels and a ride comfort-fit for a Sultan — or even an Ultan — has upped the potential for the luxury BMW to take the S-Class on without fear of being pooh-poohed for failing to cut the mustard.
Indeed it is now far less likely you could be in danger of physical violence from an S-Class owner for suggesting as much.
Colley’s Verdict
from €103,117 - €133,896 as tested.
plenty of get-up-and-go, but you also get whisper levels of sophistication.
Do you really have to ask?
a much more rounded driving prospect and much closer to the S-Class in every regard.
