2006 BMW 7-Series

[Tom]

Expert Rating
Dan Jedlicka's Rating:
8 out of 10.  
http://autos.msn.com/research/

Bottom Line:
BMW sharpens styling of its flagship sedan and increases its horsepower.  

Pros:
Improved styling
Luxurious
Excellent roadability
 Cons:
Complicated iDrive controls
Sensitive brake pedal
Turn signal and cruise control levers too close



Expert Review
BMW critics no longer can jokingly kick around "Bangle's Butt" because the automaker has revised the bulky rear styling of its latest 7-Series flagship sedan, designed under the direction of BMW design chief Chris Bangle.

Bangle was out to give BMW a new look with the fourth-generation 7-Series sedan, which arrived for 2002 and replaced the cleaner looking 1995-2001 version. But the new car's offbeat styling?especially its rear end?was the immediate target of critics.

Critics also hurled rocks at the 2002 model's complicated iDrive control system, which involved using a console knob and dashboard display screen to eliminate conventional dashboard controls and handle such things as audio, climate and navigation adjustments. Many 7-Series owners felt iDrive was too complicated to use, especially when driving, and they were right.

However, the 2002 7-Series drove beautifully and did have considerable "road presence." BMW seemed to largely ignore critics and pointed to increased worldwide 7-Series sales. However, there are so many BMWs in America that it's almost an automotive cliche in affluent areas, and top-line BMWs sell well in the growing luxury car market.

Forced to Act
Still, criticism of the new-generation 7-series styling and iDrive became so loud, widespread and long-lasting that BMW has given the car mid-product-cycle revisions for 2006 that tone down the complexity of iDrive and provide the auto with a more traditional BMW appearance. To pun, you could call it a happy "ending."

The trunk still has a bustle look because BMW wasn't about to give its latest-generation 7-Series a costly new body, but the back end looks trimmer. Providing a slimming rear-end effect are larger taillights that extend into the trunk lid and a new bumper that sweeps into the back wheelwells to expose more of the large tires, enhancing rear styling.

Also helping improve the car's appearance are a new front bumper-spoiler ensemble, larger grille and more conventionally shaped headlights. The re-contoured hood is slightly higher. And a new longitudinal groove in the rocker panel area visually lengthens the car and causes less of a slab-sided look. Thinner window trim "lightens" the side view.

Simplified iDrive System
The iDrive system has been simplified, and regular controls are provided for basic audio and climate adjustments. However, iDrive still is complex and has a display screen that washes out in sunlight. It thus will remain a pain in the, ah, butt for some drivers.

The rival new Mercedes-Benz flagship S-Class sedan soon arrives, and that's led BMW to install a new 4.8-liter 360-horsepower V8 in 750 versions of the 7-Series. The engine replaces a 4.4-liter 325-horsepower V8. The impressive 6.0-liter 438-horsepower V12 is carried over.

Swift Acceleration
Acceleration is swift with either of the advanced engines, despite the fact that the 7-Series is a big, heavy sedan loaded with comfort and convenience features.

The engines work with a 6-speed automatic transmission and allow the V8 version to hit 60 mph from a standing start in just 5.8 seconds. The V12 propels the car to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. That's not a big difference, but acceleration with the V12 seems especially effortless, as if it has endless reserves of power and torque. However, the vast majority of 7-Series buyers opt for the V8.

Two Lengths
The latest 7-Series has a 750 designation with the V8 and a 760 designation with the V12. There are standard "i" and longer-wheelbase "Li" trim levels, and both come with either the V8 or V12.

The long-wheelbase versions are just 66 to 143 pounds heavier, but all trim levels are heavy, weighing 4,486 to 4,905 pounds.

Acceptable Fuel Economy
However, fuel economy is acceptable for such a fast, heavy sedan. The V8 delivers an estimated 17 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway, while the V12 provides 15 and 23. Old American V8 luxury sedans provided about 15 mpg?tops?on highways and generally less than 12 in the city.

The regular length 7-Series version has a 117.7-inch wheelbase and overall length of 198.4 inches. It's a little easier to park and maneuver than the Li, which has a 123.2-inch wheelbase and 203.9-inch length.

Limo-Style Room
The long-wheelbase version has limousine-style rear seat room and accounts for about two-thirds of 7-Series sales in America. The quiet 7-Series interior has easily read gauges and lots of storage areas. But the turn signal and cruise control levers are so close together to the left of the steering wheel that one can easily be confused for the other.

Prices for the regular-length version are $71,800 with the V8 and $111,500 with the V12. The extended-length version is $75,800 with the V8 and $118,900 with the V12, which goes a long way towards explaining why there are few takers for the V12.

Sporty Handling
The new 7-Series has nearly sports car handling, despite its size and weight. The car has BMW's typically precise steering, and its firm-but-supple suspension easily swallows bumps.

Standard "stay-on-the-road" features include anti-skid/traction control and BMW's Active Roll Stabilization system, which virtually eliminates body lean while streaking through curves. Enhancing handling are large 18- to 20-inch tires, a revised suspension and a wider rear track?or distance between wheels on the same axle.

The brake pedal is sensitive, but stopping distances are impressively short.

An Adaptive Ride Package standard on 760 versions and a $1,900 option for 750s has automatically adjusting shock absorbers and a self-leveling rear air suspension. There also is a $3,200 Sport Package for V8 trim levels that contains a sport steering wheel, sport seats, sport suspension, 19-inch performance tires and high-gloss dark wood interior trim.

Alluring Extras
The wide variety of alluring options includes $2,200 Adaptive Cruise Control to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead, $2,200 rear-seat DVD entertainment package that lets rear passengers use some iDrive functions and $595 Sirius satellite radio.

A $1,100 Cold Weather package has a heated steering wheel and heated front and rear seats. And there's also a $1,000 keyless access and start system.

Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes, front knee airbags, front torso side airbags (rear ones cost $385) and head-protecting side airbags. Steering-linked adaptive headlights swivel as you steer to illuminate corners, and a front-rear obstacle detection system is handy because it's impossible to see what's directly behind the car and hard to tell where the front of it ends.

Roomy Interior
There's plenty of room in all trim levels, but the center of the rear seat in a regular-length 760i V12 version I drove was too hard for anything for short drives. Also, 7-Series rear doors should open wider to allow better foot clearance for those with large shoes.

The big trunk has a low, wide opening to facilitate quick loading, and a power trunk lid opens and closes at the touch of a button in a $1,000 Convenience package.

The revamped styling and added V8 power of the new 7-Series promises to attract more buyers, and the car remains fast, athletic and luxurious.