BMW 7 Series: lighter and technological – AlVolante

NORMAL OR LONG – To see it live to wait until the Frankfurt Motor Show scheduled for September 17 to 27, but already now BMW has released the first official photos and specific BMW 7 Series , now in its sixth generation. Meanwhile it has already left the production factory in Dingolfing, so before the end of 2015 is expected to begin sales. Compared to the present, the dimensions do not change much – with unchanged and step length increased by a couple of centimeters: 510 for the standard version and 524 for the L. The appearance evolves without distortions: no fracture lines as the fourth generation of 2001, but a substantial stylistic refinement.

BODY CARBON CORE – is undoubtedly the body Carbon Core of the biggest news BMW 7 Series between many courses in the field: on the basis of experience gained with the i3 and the i8, but production cars must be relegated to small production volumes, the carbon gets into a car of great series. Or, better, I get mixed with high-strength steels, aluminum and plastics: the BMW promises a decrease in the weight up to 130 kg for the same version, as well as greater torsional rigidity than the 7 Series that will come out of production.

ROLL ADAPTIVE – Very evolved even suspensions of BMW 7 Series , pneumatic to electronic control system coupled to a steering axle also rear (also available on versions xDrive all-wheel drive). Body roll during cornering is controlled by the system Executive Drive Pro, which operates bars elettroattuate and regulates the damping of the shock absorbers based on road conditions. In addition to the confirmed driving modes Comfort, Sport and Eco Pro, there is now the new Adaptive, leaving the dynamics control electronics board, which interprets driving style and road surface.

LOT OF ELECTRONIC – As for comfort, functionality and driver assistance systems, the list is long and nourished. The multimedia system iDrive in the BMW 7 Series support (finally) the touch controls and gesture, that integrate confirmed rotary: gesture control can be customized through a three-dimensional sensor which combines gestures to predetermined functions. There’s also, on the center console, a wireless charging station for smartphones that support this feature. The Driving Assistant Plus now provides assistance to control the trajectory, with sensors connected to the system to prevent the collision elements for side, rear and cross. Assisted driving in the column is also extended to the town traffic, by setting a button, the speed limits according to “read” from road signs. According to BMW, the 7 Series is the first production car capable of getting in and out of parking lots and garages cross without the presence of the driver behind the wheel: the function is controlled by a key with built-in screen, and the maximum distance allowed without passengers of about 7.5 meters, equivalent to 150% of the length of the vehicle.

EVEN HYBRID – Fed park motors of BMW 7 Series : a gasoline there are the 740i and 740Li with the inline six-cylinder 3.0 326 hp and 450 Nm, in addition to the 750i xDrive and 750Li xDrive with the 4.4 V8 from 450 hp and 650 Nm. A diesel, for now, the only engine with the 3.0 inline 6-cylinder, 265 hp and 620 Nm of torque well, that gives life to the versions 730d, 730Ld, 730Ld 730d xDrive and xDrive. For all, automatic transmission Steptronic. What is new is the plug-in hybrid, called the 740th: the internal combustion engine is the 2.0 TwinPower turbocharged 258 hp, linked to an electric motor 95 and a lithium-ion battery pack. The rated power is 326 hp in total, with consumption that – if more favorable – almost reach 48 km / liter (of course, these are the data of approval). Significant Navigating promise in electric-only mode: 40 km, turn profits for long enough in urban areas forbidden to cars with combustion engine.