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LEADING EDGE | Westcon
BMW 7 Series Innovative Sophistication
At a glance the new BMW 7 is not much different from its predecessor but I found the driving pleasure, luxury and comfort to be much more refined especially sitting in the back and being driven by a chauffeur. That being said I still find some of the new autonomous driving innovations a bit tricky and it needs some more refinement before real relaxation can take place behind the wheel of a car that drives itself.
BMW’s new flagship bristles with new innovations that are at the forefront of autonomous driving development and show cases the newest and most amazing innovations that puts driving pleasure at a new and much more enjoyable and luxurious level.
BMW is further pioneering light weight construction with their unique ground breaking technology by extensive use of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the passenger cell.Greater dynamism, more comfort, zero compromises is what BMW aims for in the BMW 7 Series and they have achieved their goal.
The interior is as luxurious and well equipped as you can wish for and caters for the supreme wellbeing of the occupants. Add to that the individual range of products, a sport package and you can design and personalise to your heart’s desire. The interior is where the real charm of the BMW 7 lies and it is an enjoyable adventure to let yourself go with all that is available like the electrically adjustable comfort seats with heat package and the Executive Lounge provide unbeatable long-distance comfort; active seat ventilation and massage function for driver and front passenger with Vitality Programme included for rear seat passengers.
Add to that a heated steering wheel, heated armrests in the doors, centre console and rear centre armrest and you understand the word cocooned luxury. Exclusive high-end music enjoyment with Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system and a panorama glass roof Sky Lounge with globally unique light display that can be switched between six colours ensures prime lighting. Ambient light including Welcome Light Carpet for the area in front of the car doors as well as Ambient Air package (interior scent system) puts you at peace even after the longest of long stressful days.
No more wires while charging your phone with the Telephony system inductive charging of mobile phones in the car and I can confirm it works quite well.The iDrive operating system gains a touch display for intuitive operation of numerous functions; display and control unit of the optional Automatic air conditioning with 4-zone control system likewise with touch-sensitive capability. A 3D sensor allows intuitive and easy interaction with the infotainment system using predefined hand movements. Another smart innovation is the Touch Command multifunction control unit: removable 7-inch tablet computer integrated into the centre armrest or rear console to control comfort, infotainment and communications functions.What is really very interesting is the lovely looking and functional Remote Control Parking using the BMW Display Key.
The new BMW 7 Series is the world’s first series-produced car that owners will be able to manoeuvre in or out of forward-parking spaces or garages without anyone at the wheel. As such, the Remote Control Parking option allows drivers to access tight parking spaces with ease. The driver initiates the car’s progress forwards into or in reverse out of a space using the likewise newly developed BMW Display Key. While the car is carrying out the semi-automated manoeuvre, the driver watches out for obstacles. The new Head-Up Display with 75 per cent larger projection surface on the windscreen is much more functional. Driving Assist now is a complete comfort- and safety-enhancing package with additional functions Rear Collision Prevention, Lane Change Warning, Speed Limit Info and Rear crossing traffic warning functions. Driving Assist Plus includes comfort-optimising, Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Lane Keeping Assistant with active side collision protection, Traffic Jam Assistant for semi-automated driving, and front and rear crossing traffic warning.New-generation Surround View system with parallel Top View display function and 3D View in the Control Display, individually selectable perspectives and Panorama Side View to check the traffic situation to the sides of the car (front and rear) is also an innovative and needed detail that comes to good use.
New-generation straight-six engines.The new BMW 7 Series is available with an extensively updated V8 engine and six-cylinder in-line variants from the BMW Group’s latest generation of power units. All the engines link up as standard with the likewise further developed smooth and fast changing eight-speed Steptronic transmission.Standout innovations in operating system and driver assistance technology include the extension of the iDrive system touch display and BMW gesture control, as well as Touch Command, the new BMW Head-Up Display, crossing traffic warning, the steering and lane control assistant, active side collision protection, Surround View with 3D View and the Remote Control Parking system.Full-LED headlights fitted as standard; anti-dazzle BMW Laserlight with BMW Selective Beam and range doubled from 300 to 600 metres now also available as an option for a BMW model for the first time following its world premiere in the BMW i8.
The latest wave of innovations offer drivers greater freedom when selecting the perfect set-up for their car; they can opt for even sportier handling or further improved ride comfort, or use the high-efficiency ECO PRO mode. ADAPTIVE mode can now also be activated via the newly designed Driving Experience Control switch. In this setting, the car set-up adapts to driving style and route characteristics.Another new addition to the iDrive system’s functionality is BMW gesture control, which is being introduced for the first time.
Hand movements detected by a 3D sensor control infotainment functions in an extremely intuitive and user-friendly fashion. The gestures can be used for a number of functions, including controlling the volume in audio applications and accepting or rejecting incoming telephone calls. Another new feature in the luxury sedan segment is BMW Laserlight, familiar from the BMW i8. Thanks to BMW Selective Beam, this is dazzle-free and can be specified for the new BMW 7 Series as an alternative to the standard full-LED headlights.
The laser headlights generate a particularly bright, pure white light as well as providing a high-beam range of 600 metres, double that of the LED headlights.Innovative driver assistance systems from BMW ConnectedDrive enhance comfort and safety.The Steering and lane control assistant, Lane keeping assistant with active side collision protection, rear collision prevention and crossing traffic warning functions have been added to the Driving Assist Plus system.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Jam assistant – which involves semi-automated driving – can be used on any type of road. And the Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function now only requires drivers to press a button to incorporate speed restrictions detected by the Speed Limit Info function. The new generation of the Surround View system now also includes a 3D View and Panorama Side View option in the Control Display.)
