10 Things You Need To Know About The 2016 BMW 7 Series

BMW 7 Series ・ Photo by BMW

It would be fair to say that the 2016 BMW 7 Series was conceived as a full-size flagship reply to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class that has stolen the big luxury sedan spotlight for much of the past couple of years. The all-new BMW 7 Series aims to cut the legs out from under the S-Class not just in driving experience and style, but also technology, with a significant across-the-board investment in ones and zeros helping BMW's range-topping four door recapture some of the high end glory that passes for Bavarian bragging rights on the other side of the Atlantic. Let's take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2016 BMW 7 Series,

1. The 2016 BMW 7 Series Is Longer, But Also Lighter

It seems like big cars keep getting bigger with each passing year, but the 2016 BMW 7 Series manages to restrain its dimensional growth to a single inch, checking in just barely longer than the model it replaces. In most other areas - notably, height and width - it's close to being within the template of the 2015 model as well, which is what makes the 286 lbs of weight carved out of its platform that much more impressive. Credit goes to the extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), a strong yet lightweight material that has been employed in place of steel to keep passengers protected in the event of a crash. New aluminum suspension components also contribute to the BMW 7 Series' reduced mass.

Photo by BMW

2. The 2016 BMW 7 Series Makes Subtle Tweaks To Styling

The 2016 BMW 7 Series has seen its visage updated as part of its redesign, but the car is still clearly linked to the vehicle that came before it. LED taillights are now standard with the BMW 7 Series, joining an LED welcome light system that adds touch of class to the 7 Series experience well before you even enter the vehicle. The headlights have been pushed out to the edge of the grilled perched at the end of the sedan's long hood, which is complemented by a slightly more aggressive front bumper treatment. BMW has also worked to create greater visual personality in the flanks and fenders of the car.

3. The 2016 BMW 7 Series Pours On The Interior Luxury

All versions of the 2016 BMW 7 Series that make to American showrooms are long-wheel base models, which means that the rear quarters are the definition of expansive. The back seats feature the option of a recline feature, and they come paired with a console-mounted tablet that offers full control over entertainment, climate control, and lighting. LED lighting is of course also on display throughout the interior, and the quality of the leather upholstery on the seats and door panels, as well as the preponderance of chrome, wood, and aluminum trim, have all been improved for the new BMW 7 Series.

4. The 2016 BMW 7 Series Takes iDrive Infotainment In A New Direction

The 2016 BMW 7 Series now offers the ability to interact with the iDrive infotainment system using more than just the rotary knob and buttons that have traditionally served as the car's primary interface. The BMW's most impressive party trick is its ability to use hand gestures to adjust on-screen parameters, a feat made possible by a pair of roof-mounted infrared sensors, but a more welcome addition is a new 10-inch touchscreen that finally allows for fingers to accomplish what was once the exclusive province of the dial on the car's console. This marks one of the first touchscreen efforts from a German automaker, and hopefully the trend will trickle down to other models in the BMW lineup.

5. The 2016 BMW 7 Series Offers Two Engine Options

The 2016 BMW 7 Series will initially be offered with a pair of engine options. The entry-level BMW 740i features a 3.0-liter, turbocharged six-cylinder engine that has been tuned to provide 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque, which allows it to spring to 60-mph from a standing start in 5.8 seconds. Those seeking more oomph can opt for the BMW 750i xDrive, which swaps in a turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 that bumps output up to 445 horses and 480 lb-ft of twist, slicing one and a half seconds from its 0-60 time as a result. Both drivetrains are shifted via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

6. The 2016 BMW 7 Series Can Be Had With All-Wheel Drive

You might have noticed the 'xDrive' appellation attached to the 2016 BMW 750i xDrive model name. This indicates that the all-new BMW 7 Series features all-wheel drive, which is in fact standard on the range-topping eight-cylinder edition of the car (and will eventually be offered on the six-cylinder version as well). Making all-wheel drive part and parcel of a flagship sedan's feature set has become de rigueur in the luxury segment, as marketing has convinced scores of drivers that they simply aren't safe out on the road in the absence of four-wheel locomotion. This marks a departure form 2015 when the 750i model was available in a rear-wheel drive edition.

Photo by BMW

7. The 2016 BMW 7 Series Introduces Four-Wheel Steering Across The Board

The 2016 BMW 7 Series doesn’t just send power to each of the cars four wheels with xDrive all-wheel drive system - it also induces them to assist with the steering effort thanks to the newly revised Active Steer system. Previously only available with rear-wheel drive models, the re-engineered Active Steer feature allows for up to three degrees of steering assist from the back axle, with the wheels turning in opposition to the front wheels at low speeds to assist with parking, and moving in concert with the fronts when traveling above 40-mph to smooth out highway lane changes.

8. The 2016 BMW 7 Series Is Loaded With High Tech Features

Other high end technologies abound in the 2016 BMW 7 Series. The car's air suspension system can raise the car up in order to clear obstacles such as speed bumps, and it also lowers in order to improve handling and fuel efficiency at highway speeds. There is an automated parking system that can handle parallel and 90-degree reverse situations (in Europe it can even be activated remotely from outside the car), along with a self-steering adaptive cruise control system (capable of recognizing and keeping the car between the lines on the pavement) that offers stop-and-go driving capability.

9. The 2016 BMW 7 Series Is Serious About Active Safety Gear

The 2016 BMW 7 Series of focuses much of its technological might on protecting passengers from the possibility of an on-road incident. The BMW 7 Series can be had with a forward collision warning system, a blind spot detection system that can automatically steer the car out of harm's way, a lane departure warning and intervention system, and a pedestrian warning feature that detects individuals walking near the vehicle when traveling at city speeds. The vehicle also offers night vision cameras as part of its pedestrian detection system that highlight people or animals on the side of the road that the headlights might not be able to pick up right away.

10. The 2016 BMW 7 Series Starts At $81,300

10. The 2016 BMW 7 Series Starts At $81,300 The 2016 BMW 740i features a starting MSRP of $81,300, while the BMW 750i xDrive will run you $97,400 right out of the box. This stands in contrast to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, whose entry-level S550 costs $95,650, giving BMW a leg-up in affordability. However, in the full-size luxury sedan segment being 'more affordable' isn't always seen as a plus, as it can cut into the perceived exclusivity of a model. Other flagship sedans that fall within the BMW 7 Series' pricing wheelhouse include the Audi A8 L (MSRP $81,500) and the Jaguar XJ LWB (MSRP $81,200).