BMW finally gave us a proper hybrid powertrain, worthy of its flagship. It wasn’t the performance that was questioned on the only former hybrid 7 series – the 740e iPerformance, but rather its small 2.0 liter four cylinder engine which lacks a proper sound and refinement, worthy of a luxury limousine.
The new BMW 7 series is a great executive saloon on its own. Very quiet, and comfortable in comfort plus driving mode, but thanks to its great air suspension, which firms up significantly if you select sport driving mode, can also be quite impressive if you show it around some corners. That makes it probably the most driver focused in this segment which is probalby a great news for someone not employing a chauffeur.
With the launch of a BMW 745Le, for the first time in its history, BMW offered us a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 3.0 liter straight six engine and an electric motor, with a combined output of 394 horsepower. That is enough to propel this bavarian flagship to 100 km/h in just over 5 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 250 km/h. That should be enough to satisfy even the biggest sceptics of hybrid powertrains, and is also more than sufficient not to ever feel out of its breath, even at higher speeds.
With that engine it now not only has some added performance, but also some proper soundtrack coupled with silky smooth refinement, only possible with bigger engines. That really suits the nature of the 7 series and being a hybrid you can also put it in e-mode and forget about your petrol engine for the next 54 kilometers. That way you can explore the depts of its quiet and refined limousine nature to its absolute fullest.
On the inside, the new 7 series offers just the right bland of inovative technology and proven BMW ergonomics, mainly meaning the use of actual physical buttons instead of ever bigger touchscreens. Even after all those years, iDrive is still the best and most practical infotaiment solution in the industry, showing all the others, that thoose screens are not the right way forward. Being the longwheelbase model it also offers more room for the two VIP passengers seating in the back, surrounded by excuisite leather and modern technology.
The new BMW 7 series really is some car, but this 745 longwheelbase hybrid model nowadays probably makes more sense than all the others. With the only negatives being smaller boot and a bit more weight, it is a winner.
