BMW 7 series has set new design standards

The BMW 7 series. Its daring and innovative design has set new standards in luxury.

The first and last time I drove a vehicle at 250kph on a public road was over six years ago.

I have bragged about this to everybody who has given me an ear. What I did not tell them was that the only reason I did not exceed this speed was the limitation of the car.

Everything else was picture perfect. The road was smooth and wide and the cops just waved us by, standing besides their Lamborghinis.

This can only happen in the Emirates where six-lane highways are nothing to write home about. Things are changing for the better in Kenya and hopefully we shall have at least four lanes with which to cruise.

While I doubt such speeds will be possible, it would be nice to know that you can. That said, it will not be for lack of fast cars, because judging by what is on the horizon, we will be spoilt for choice when the new BMWs come to town.

There is a positive wind of change blowing through the motoring industry in Kenya as major brands find new homes.

BMW found a new suitor and current and future owners should be smiling broadly for this could offer a welcome change. Another brand that is settling into its new stable is Skoda. It has taken refuge at CMC after the unfortunate demise of its previous custodian. 

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I believe pen met paper and the ink has finally dried in the multi-million shilling deal that has seen the BMW baton shift from Mashariki to Simba Colt Motors.

This will see the rescue of an international brand that had become the laughing stock of the industry. What can BMW owners expect from the new custodian? For sure, it would be hard for them to do worse and hopefully service and parts will now be available on request.

It is likely to be a storming start with new models hitting the market with enthusiastic speed. Simba Colt are keeping their cards close to the chest but we can certainly expect the new BMW X6 and possibly flagship 7 Series.

While the X6 is a whole new category, the 7 has been around for a while. It has however had no impact in this market despite its obvious ability to thrill. I remember fondly my first encounter with the BMW 7 Series.

Its daring and innovative design that shifted the world’s focus, setting new standards in luxury segment. Six years later and they have done it again— shifting the goalposts in technological advancement and refinement.

Back then there are an equal measure of doubters and adopters but today, drivers are keener and better exposed to what is possible in a vehicle. This means there will certainly be more takers.

The new BMW 7 Series has intuitive ways for the driver to interact with the on board computer, giving him all the information he could possibly need about the vehicle. Its newly developed controller with direct selection buttons and a high-resolution 10.2-inch Control Display facilitate intuitive management, control and activation of numerous functions.

You no longer need your BlackBerry or iPhone when driving, for the 7 has unrestricted access to the Internet.

Things have moved a notch higher in all aspects and the new car features even more technological advances to make driving a lot more fun.

There are driver assistance systems featured for the first time in the new BMW 7 Series and exclusive the world over.

These include BMW’s new Night Vision with detection of individual persons, a camera-based Speed Limit Indicator, Lane Change Warning and Cruise Control with Stop & Go, an active Brake Assistant and a proximity warning function when approaching another vehicle from behind.

Performance and economy as well as suspension technology are some of the key areas of improvement in this flagship model. Two petrol engines, the 740i and 750i, with twin turbo technology will be available alongside a 730d six-cylinder diesel.

One of the most innovative additions to this barge is the four-wheel steering that helps the drive take corners at a higher speed with increased safety.

This sends me back to the good old days of the talented Honda Prelude of yore. Now when it appears in a brand that epitomises sheer driving pleasure, you can be sure it will have a serious impact on how serious motorists look at driving going forward.

In addition to adjusting the wheel angle by three degrees in the same direction as the front wheels at high-speed, these features turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction to assist you when parking.

The gearshift is back on the centre console and this should please many enthusiasts. It’s now called the e-shift transmission control. To make things even easier for the driver the steering wheel now holds more.

The shifter’s position next to the driving dynamics control and the iDrive controller is telling. It allows the driver full control of all that makes driving safer. Occupant safety has been improved such that you can survive a collision from any direction.

If I owned this BMW I would check if my life insurance cover can be adjusted because I would be safer in it than at home.

Closer to the ground, the suspension that defines that unique feel that makes BMWs so revered has been updated. You can choose between four settings, ranging from Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus.

These adjust the firmness of the shock absorbers, changing the characteristics of the car in seconds. Everything in this car is refined until you switch to Sports Plus mode.