When does a flagship cease being a flagship? That time period has lengthy been utilized to the BMW 7 Collection, but when we have been to go by the Wikipedia definition, it does not precisely fulfill the factors any extra. The 2022 7 Collection is just not BMW’s largest (that is the X7), quickest (that is the M8 Competitors), essentially the most closely armed (ah, James Bond’s 750iL?) or finest recognized (take your decide). So until an admiral drives one, the 7er is hardly the flagship it was.
Nonetheless, that claims extra about the remainder of BMW’s enlarged and wildly numerous lineup. The 2022 BMW 7 Collection stays one of many most interesting automobiles on the highway. It is full of all the newest applied sciences and engineering developments in BMW’s arsenal. Its grand measurement and opulent function content material ensures a driving and driving expertise that just a few different automobiles or SUVs can exceed, and all of these carry names like Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Maybach. It additionally boasts a full menu of potent powertrain choices that may’t be matched amongst rivals, starting from a plug-in hybrid to a twin-turbo V12. Sadly, the 7 is not the sporting selection it as soon as was, but when being essentially the most refined and opulent BMW to drive (or be chauffeured in) was a part of that Wikipedia definition, then a flagship it stays.
What’s new for 2022?
BMW’s largest sedan is unchanged aside from one function: a remote-control parking system. Massive deal. Bond’s 7 Collection had that 25 years in the past.
What is the 7 Collection inside and in-car expertise like?
The present-generation 7 Collection helped usher in a extra overtly luxurious period for BMW interiors, with glitzier supplies and a extra visually fascinating design that transfer additional away from the model’s historic austere norm. Whereas profitable in that endeavor, the 7 Collection does not possess the kind of opulently futuristic vibe of the brand new Mercedes S-Class. That is a matter of style, nonetheless. When it comes to high quality, there are definitely no complaints, and there are ample choices obtainable to spruce issues up like quilted leather-based seats, an Alcantara headliner and prolonged wooden trim.
And even when it isn’t fairly to the extent of the S-Class, the 2022 7 Collection continues to be dominated by expertise, with an all-digital instrument panel and 10.25-inch iDrive infotainment show. The latter is a touchscreen, however there’s additionally a redundant management knob and pure voice recognition controls that we found work fairly properly. Utilizing pure speech, it efficiently discovered a lodge by identify on the primary try.
The again seat may get its personal tech, with an non-obligatory pair of huge leisure screens that include BMW-branded headphones. Included with them is a pill built-in into the center seat armrest that enables passengers to regulate varied automobile features.
How large is the 7 Collection?
Not like previously, there is just one physique size for the 2022 7 Collection. Successfully, it is the equal of the previous prolonged L mannequin, and in consequence, you possibly can anticipate a colossal quantity of backseat room. You definitely need not go for the $3,900 Luxurious Rear Seating package deal that provides adjustable, massaging, heated and ventilated outboard seats with squishy headrest pillows – however it definitely does not damage. We examined the 7 Collection with and with out it, and should say, the additional consolation it affords is properly price the additional price relative the already lofty price ticket.
Above, you possibly can see the three seating configurations. The massive, higher picture options the obtainable full-length heart console. The decrease left picture is the bottom again seat. The decrease proper picture is the Luxurious Rear Seating package deal with the fold-down heart console that maintains five-passenger capability.
What are the 7 Collection gas financial system and efficiency specs?
The 2022 BMW 740i fashions, each with normal rear-wheel drive and non-obligatory xDrive all-wheel drive, have a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six that produces 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. It punches properly above its weight class, although, delivering this large sedan from 0-60 mph in a swift 5.3 seconds (in response to BMW estimates). Gas financial system can also be fairly glorious at 22 mpg metropolis, 29 mpg freeway and 25 mpg mixed with RWD. The addition of xDrive solely lowers these figures to twenty/27/23. In every week with a 740i xDrive, together with a six-hour freeway highway journey, we managed 28.6 mpg. That is glorious for such an enormous, highly effective sedan.
The BMW 750i xDrive engine is a 4.4-liter turbo V8 good for 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. It hits 60 mph in an absurd estimated 3.9 seconds. Gas financial system drops to 17/24/19 mpg.
The 745e xDrive is a plug-in hybrid consisting of an inline-six engine and an electrical motor fed by a 12-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Mixed system output is 330 hp and 389 lb-ft. BMW estimates it’s going to hit 60 in 4.9 seconds. EPA estimates point out it’s going to go 16 miles on its plug-in electrical cost, obtain 22 mpg mixed thereafter, and is rated at 56 MPGe. Observe that its 290 miles of whole vary is considerably decrease than the 740i, which might go greater than 550 miles on a tank.
The M760i xDrive has a 6.6-liter turbocharged V12 good for 600 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Its 0-60 estimate of three.6 seconds means it isn’t that a lot faster than the 750i in a single respect, however imagine us, it’s going to really feel faster. Gas financial system is 13/20/16 mpg.
And eventually, the Alpina B7 has a 4.4-liter turbo V8 specifically tuned by BMW’s Alpina tuning accomplice. It produces 600 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. BMW/Alpina estimate a 0-60 time of three.5 seconds – sure, faster than the M760i, in all probability as a result of its V8 weighs lower than a V12. Gas financial system is 17/24/19 mpg.
What is the 7 Collection prefer to drive?
It is now been fairly a while and a number of generations because the BMW 7 Collection was thought-about essentially the most driver-oriented flagship sedan. At the moment, for higher and for worse, it is a extra comfort-focused, high-speed cruiser consistent with the Mercedes S-Class. Certainly, its normal air suspension delivers a pillow-like journey that sops up bumps, the cabin is casket-quiet, and its steering is nice-and-easy at low speeds and simply held regular at larger ones. All of it quantities to a automotive that reduces fatigue considerably on lengthy journeys.
Now, in case you are searching for a driver-oriented flagship, the 7 Collection will probably be a bit disappointing. The steering is fairly numb and never as sharp even within the sportiest of drive modes, and though the Carbon Core construction is abundantly stiff and the suspension expertly tuned, that is actually not a automotive you attempt to take corners in. If that does sound disappointing, the Porsche Panamera is a better option, and imagine it or not, so too is the Lexus LS F Sport.
Alternatively, no 7 Collection is gradual. Miles from it. The 740i xDrive we examined delivered plentiful acceleration, with easy low- and mid-range energy courtesy the turbocharger. You completely don’t want a V8. Nonetheless, the 750i and its 523-hp turbo V8 provides this jumbo sedan sports-car acceleration. It flattens you into your seat irrespective of the pace, but does so with none uncouth exhaust crackles, pops or blats. That there are literally extra highly effective 7 Collection – M760i and Alpina B7 – is a bit thoughts boggling. If something, they need to be appreciated as a lot for tightening up the driving expertise normally to get nearer to that sport-oriented 7 Collection expectation of previous.
What different BMW 7 Collection opinions can I learn?
2020 BMW 7 Collection adopts X7 grille, new six-cylinder PHEV
The 7 Collection obtained vital updates two years in the past, which you’ll be able to examine on this complete rundown of modifications. There have been solely minor function availability updates final yr.
2020 Alpina B7 First Drive | The higher 7 Collection Flagship
We run down the modifications particularly made to the Alpina, and overview what it is prefer to drive on the Autobahn.
2017 BMW M760i First Drive
Our first and solely driving impressions of the range-topping, V12-powered M760i, together with time driving on a observe. Though it positive factors the identical styling and inside updates for 2020, our broader findings stay the identical.
2016 BMW 7 Collection First Drive
The present-generation 7 Collection dates again to 2016. Examine our preliminary impressions of it right here, together with in-depth details about its engineering and design.
Dakar Yellow! Mint Inexperienced! Behold the glory that’s the BMW Particular person Visualizer
Sure, you may get a 7 Collection that appears identical to this because of the BMW Particular person Manufaktur program. Must you? No, this factor is hideous, however there are quite a few distinctive decisions obtainable that’ll stand out in a not hideous method.
How a lot is the 2022 7 Collection value and what options can be found?
There are 5 2022 BMW 7 Collection fashions, all of which correspond to a distinct powertrain. Solely the 740i may be had with rear- or all-wheel drive. All others are AWD solely.
Characteristic content material for every is substantial, and somewhat than exhaustively record it right here, yow will discover a full breakdown of options plus specs and native pricing for every model of the 2022 BMW 7 Collection within the hyperlinks under. All costs embody the $995 vacation spot cost.
BMW 740i: $87,795
BMW 740i xDrive: $90,795
BMW 745e: $96,895
BMW 750i xDrive: $103,995
BMW Alpina B7: $144,195
BMW M760i: $158,795
What are the 7 Collection security rankings and driver help options?
Each 7 Collection comes normal with BMW’s “Lively Driving Assistant” suite of security tech, together with ahead collision warning with low-speed computerized emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. BMW Help emergency communications are additionally included. The non-obligatory Driving Help Skilled package deal consists of lively lane maintaining help, entrance cross-traffic warning, evasion help steering management and different driver aids like a sophisticated adaptive cruise management system.
The present-generation 7 Collection has not been crash examined by a 3rd get together.