No need for a chauffeur after all
As soon as I hit the road, I realized that I didn’t need a chauffeur after all. What a blast! Despite weighing two full tons, the 7-Series sprints with disconcerting ability. All it takes to reach 100 km/h are 5.5 seconds.

The 400 horsepower produced by the twin-turbo V8 engine are unbelievably flexible. Plus, they’re backed by 450 pounds-feet of torque -- distributed to the rear wheels no less. However, the thing that surprised me is fuel economy; my tester averaged 12 litres per 100 kilometres. Considering the package that is the BMW 750Li, this figure is impressive, really impressive.

The six-speed Steptronic autobox works in absolute sync with the engine. It’s an incredibly-smooth operator, so you have to really pay attention (and turn off the radio) to notice gear changes.

The 7-Series sprints with disconcerting ability.

This sedan is a BMW through and through. The firm, powerful brakes live up to the brand’s reputation. The steering is very sharp, although the length of the 750Li affects handling. In corners, I often caught myself looking in the rearview mirror to see if the rest of the car was on the same track.

One area where I didn’t recognize the BMW genes is the ride. In fact, I get the feeling that the Bavarian automaker "Mercedized" itself. I’m not saying that the suspension is soft, let alone flabby, but this floating sensation is atypical of the 7-Series, which is historically known for its firmness.

Responsiveness is also not on par with traditional BMW cars. The 750Li offers a bit less feedback than in previous years.

Competition
For BMW, redesigning the 7-Series for every new generation is a challenge. The goal is to lure some additional buyers away from the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (starting at $108,000), which sells more units than all competitors… combined! These include the Audi A8L 4.2 quattro ($100,000), Jaguar XJ Super V8 ($110,000), Lexus LS 460L ($97,100) and Maserati Quattroporte (about $140,000). Meanwhile, the 2009 BMW 750Li retails for $112,900, although my tester was worth nearly $145,000.

Wrap-up
The new 7-Series has car buyers crying for justice -- why can’t we all be millionaires and afford this wonderful sedan? This is an extremely-desirable machine… with a price tag that’s downright scandalous. Those fortunate enough to own one will discover an accomplished automobile standing on the brink of perfection.

By the way, if you need a chauffeur, please contact Auto123.com and I’ll happily send you my résumé.



Photo Credit : Matthieu Lambert