When I first saw the car, I immediately wondered: "Where’s the personal chauffeur who’s going to drive me home?" After taking a quick glance around and seeing that no one with a hat was coming in my direction, I realized that I wouldn’t have that luxury. Oh well, maybe next time…

The 750Li is limousine-huge; in fact, at 5,212 millimetres, it’s even longer than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Marking the fifth generation of BMW’s flagship sedan, the all-new 2009 7-Series oozes maturity and modernity. Unlike its predecessor, the lines are smooth and organic, almost in a subtle way. Since Chris Bangle jumped ship, Quebec’s Karim Habib was put in charge of designing this car. Overall, the silhouette aims to convey a sense of structure and playful harmony with light.

Too much is better than not enough
The 750Li is limousine-huge; in fact, at 5,212 millimetres, it’s even longer than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Inside, it’s all about opulence and gadgets. The dashboard has been toned down a little and, although there are more controls than before, the infamous iDrive interface has been simplified. Styling is purposeful and business-like, befitting a true executive sedan. Sure, there’s a slight feeling of déjà-vu, but life inside this car is ultra-enjoyable.

The entire layout is made up of plush leather, refined wood inlays and aluminum accents. There are so many advanced technologies, gadgets and electronics that listing all of them would rapidly become tedious. Still, I’d like to mention the dual monitors integrated in the front seatbacks. They allow rear passengers to follow the route determined by the navigation system and browse through iDrive. And if these people want some privacy or sun protection, the power side and rear window sunshades will provide both.

For the driver (or chauffeur), safety is enhanced by the BMW’s Head-Up Display, which projects vehicle information via the windscreen into the driver's field of vision. Therefore, you don’t really have to take your eyes away from the road. Also, given the seemingly endless hood, the automaker introduced the Side View system, which consists of two cameras integrated in the front bumper. The images obtained offer not only additional comfort when manoeuvring but also give the driver an immediate overview of traffic conditions around the car when driving through a narrow gate or leaving a parking lot.

Of course, it goes without saying that comfort is beyond reproach, in large part thanks to the soft leather seating surfaces and nearly infinite range of adjustments. The 750Li is so comfortable and relaxing, actually, that it equals a good night’s sleep. In the back, three occupants can feel at ease without any restriction. The extra 14 inches of this long-wheelbase variant provide almost limitless room.

Sure, there’s a slight feeling of déjà-vu, but life inside this car is ultra-enjoyable.