A FORMIDABLE PRESENCE…
They say absolute luxury knows no boundaries. Well, perhaps it is time ‘they’ thought again, writes Paul Agnew. Photography: Roger Moore
Allow me to present to you a piece of moving artwork – the unimaginably luxurious BMW X7 – a car fit for a king. The king of the road.
Jaw-droppingly impressive in terms of size, presence, looks and refinement, the BMW X7 is a beast of a motor, standing tall and proud as the biggest model ever built by BMW.
The turbocharged BMW X7 xDrive40i (three-litre petrol) – the model I was lucky enough to meet at close quarters – sets new benchmarks for modernity and functionality. Exuding opulence this is not a car to be messed with. Precise lines and sculpted surfaces, with a selection of stand-out features like the eye-catching one-piece kidney grille, add to a formidable, go-on-then-take-me-on posture.
And it is well worth setting time aside to simply touch, smell and relish the sumptuous interior before even thinking about asking the BMW X7 to move off the forecourt.
But when that moment comes… oh boy, this magnificent machine delivers big time, bringing together all that is good about sitting in the driving seat of a supercar. You almost don’t want the journey to end, such is the sheer joy involved in getting from A to B.
The overall space, particularly in relation to leg and headroom, comfortably copes with up to seven seats although there is a six-seat configuration too.
Sky lounge panoramic glass sunroof and ambient lighting allow for dynamic light flow throughout and you’ll find useful illumination too in the map pockets, storage compartment, armrest handles, front and rear footwells, instrument panel and door panels. No fewer than six pre-defined selectable light designs in various colours. Not forgetting a welcome light carpet (four applications: welcome, goodbye, open door and phone call).
Add to that, lavish Merino leather upholstery and handmade sculpted crystal glass specifically for the gear lever (topped by an illuminated ‘X’), iDrive controller, start/stop button and volume control. Stunning!
Five-zone air-conditioning, controlled by separate displays, allows individual climate comfort throughout.
You won’t be surprised that the innovative technology found here is top class too, including the latest BMW operating system 7, live cockpit professional and parking assistant plus.
Rear passengers get wonderful entertainment too, thanks to two separate high-resolution 12” tilting, touch screens complete with Blu-ray drive. And, listen up, the superb Bowers and Wilkins 3D diamond surround sound system delivers a ‘theatre-like’ experience.
It drives absolutely beautifully with the renowned Executive Drive Pro system ensuring exceptional comfort. The two-axle air suspension, with variable dampers, has excellent comfort features and the EDP electro-mechanical stabilisation minimises body roll on bends and bumpy surfaces.
The impressive air suspension automatically keeps the vehicle at a constant height, regardless of the load. At higher speeds, the BMW X7 automatically lowers to reduce drag and fuel consumption. Touch a button to make it easier to get in and out, or to load the luggage compartment. Active ventilation for the front seats guarantees a cool and pleasant seat temperature.
The Reversing Assistant saves the last 50m of a route so that it can be retraced if required. The driver can take a back seat (not literally) at this point and watch the whole thing unfold. The Driving Assistant Professional is also on hand to keep you in the right lane, check for blind spots and warn if other cars or people threaten to get in your path.
As for the ‘tech spec’ – with just 335hp, the BMW X7 races from 0-60mph in just 5.4 seconds. Is that impressive? Ask the competition. It can stop pretty smartly too, dropping from 60-0mph over a distance of just 105 feet. The competition has gone home at this point.
So, there you have it, but not quite. What about the ‘massage’ function for driver and front passenger – this helps to ‘improve physical wellbeing by stimulating/relaxing certain muscle groups’. There are eight massage programmes dedicated to different parts of the body and three intensity levels.
Wow… I think I need to go and have a lie down.
Bowker BMW
Trident Park, Trident Way
Blackburn BB1 3NU
01254 274444
www.bowkermotorgroup.co.uk
