If a BMW is "The Ultimate Driving Machine," than the full size 7-Series flagship sedan may be the ultimate blend of performance and luxury. For 2009, the 5-passenger 7-Series has been updated with new headlight and taillight clusters, new lower front fascia, and a more traditional overall rear fascia. The result is an evolution of the previous design that gives a more streamlined impression.
There are two models of the 7-Series available for 2009; the 750i, and the long wheelbase 750Li. It comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-season run-flat tires, Xenon adaptive headlights, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Both models are powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8. It sends 400 horsepower and 450 pound feet of torque to the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic manual shift mode.
Fuel economy for the 7-Series ranges from 14 miles per gallon city, up to 22 miles per gallon highway.
Highlighting the blend of performance and luxury is BMW's Integrated Chassis Management. The driver is provided with four driving modes that can alter chassis stiffness: Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus. In Sport Plus, the traction control is reduced enough to allow for some rear end slip.
Our test car came with a host of features to satisfy those concerned with creature comforts. Leather seating is standard, with 16-way power front seats with two memory settings, back seat DVD player, and a voice activated navigation system with real-time traffic information as part of the revised iDrive interface. It has been updated to be more intuitive and include a web browser and more entertainment capabilities.
Standard safety features include 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, front and rear park assist, speed-sensitive cruise control, and a full array of front and side impact airbags.
Base MSRP for the 2009 BMW 7-Series is $80,300. A fully loaded 750Li will top out at over $114,000. The 7-Series is backed by a 4-year, 50,000-mile powertrain warranty.
When deciding on a flagship luxury sedan, one must generally decide on whether the top priority is performance or comfort. But, the 2009 BMW 7-Series proves that sometimes...you can have it all!