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BMW 2016 750i xDrive: luxury paired with technology

Published 9:00 am Monday, March 14, 2016

My first clue that BMW’s 2016 750i xDrive luxury sedan would be a handful was when the gentlemen delivering the car insisted I have a 15-minute tutorial.

Since I had more than a few questions, the session took 20 minutes. Of course, I immediately forgot half of what I had learned and spent the rest of the week either reading the car’s manual – which is on the touchscreen which can’t be accessed while driving – or randomly pushing buttons and hoping for the best.

Let’s just say the learning curve on this German, technological wunderkind is steep. But once you owned this piece of automotive history, and learned all of its mysterious ways, you would wear a smile that never left your face.

The 7-Series is BMW’s flagship model, and is now in its sixth generation of production. It delivers the highest level of driving refinement in the premium class while setting the standard in luxury performance.

Powered by a 4.4-liter TwinPower turbo V8 with 32-valves, and mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with driving dynamics control that changes the car’s driving characteristics at your whim to Eco, Pro, Adaptive, Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus, the 750i simply exceeds expectations.

All of this is paired with the latest version of BMW’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system. The fully variable, electronically controlled power split between front and rear wheels enhances traction and stability as well as the handling dynamics in corners.

I could write a two-page review on the 750i xDrive and still not give each and every nuance its due. Please be advised, this review is just glossing over a few of the car’s almost endless supply of highlights.

The newest groundbreaking technology is “Gesture Control,” which was featured in a recent issue of Popular Science. Forget about a dial or push-button, simply wave your index finger in front of the touchscreen, clockwise to increase audio sound, and counterclockwise to lower. Of course, other functions can be managed in the same fashion.

Another innovative piece of technology is the extensive use of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic in the structure of the passenger cell. The 750i is stronger and more rigid than its predecessor and almost 190 pounds lighter.

The 750i seats five adults in unadulterated bliss. The back seat – get this – includes LED screens mounted to the back of the front seats to watch movies, a removable computer tablet to take advantage of the car’s Wi-Fi capability, heated and massaging seats, reclining seat with footrest, and a panoramic sky lounge LED roof just for starters.

My tester came with a few upgrades including an Autobahn Package ($4,100), Driver Assistance Plus ($1,900), Executive Package ($3,200), Luxury Seating and Cold Weather Package ($3,900), 20-inch light alloy wheels ($1,300), Bowers &Wilkins sound system ($3,400), NightVision with passenger detection ($2,300).

If you’re keeping track, that’s $20,000 – just in options.

That concludes a superficial overview. I was still learning about the car’s attributes seven days later. In fact, I bargained to drive the car another week under the guise of a more thorough review. Unfortunately, they had heard that line before.

BMW 2016 750i XDRIVE

BASE PRICE: $97,400

AS TESTED: $129,245

Base price includes destination charge. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. Prices may vary at local dealerships.