Hybrid M760e delivers BMW driving pleasure in spades
Like the Mercedes-Benz S Class, this BMW 7-series has always been the ultimate expression of the luxury. The 7 being the Munich brand’s take on what that should be versus Stuttgart’s take on the S. Often controversial, ever expressive and most often the epitome of automotive tech, these cars generally set the tune that the industry always goes on to follow. Seems nothing has changed. But in reality, so much has.
This particular seven is the middle of the road M760e. In other words, a bit of petrol and a bit of electric in one storming plug-in hybrid. It sits between the traditional gas and oil burners on the one side, and the all-electric i7 on the other. It is in our opinion, the perfect solution, if you still believe you have anything to do with saving the planet. Even if it’s going to take far more than a just battery under the boot to get that right.
Anyway, after generations of rumbling petrol V8s, slick V12s and the eternal litany of petrol and diesel straight-six sevens, BMW has now narrowed its 7 Series petrol engine range down to six-cylinder 3-litre 40 turbo diesels and petrols only. It simply adds his plug-in hybrid powertrain to get to its new gas flagship. Of course, you can also get the all-electric i7 too, but South African owners at least still have the choice.
M760e adds electric to BMW straight six
This 450 kW 800 e Nm plug-in hybrid comprises a turbocharged traditional BMW 3-litre straight petrol engine with a plug-in hybrid electric motor. So in and around town, you can drive it fully electric, thanks to a claimed 70 km range. That equates to a real world 50-60 kilometres, which is beyond your average daily commute. We still scratch our heads why its not a simpler matter to regenerate power to charge the battery life for example, a Prius can. But tht does not seem to atter too much in this application.
Perhaps more impressive is the M760e’s performance once that 18.7kWh battery has run flat. The by then invisible regen maintains enough battery to assist the car to achieve around six litres per hundred on the freeway. Charging the flat battery is however easy by the normal socket charger cable stored in the boot. It can fill the cells overnight on your low rate late night Eskom 240V. So, if you have a decent solar system at home, or free access at the office, driving around your city, or village, is pretty much for free.
Charged-up, performance is pretty impressive. It earns that M badge well with 4.1 seconds to 100 km/h acceleration. Overall performance is excellent and once rolling, it makes light work of overtaking with abundant power and torque always ready and waiting underfoot.
Charged-up M760i performance impressed
The BMW 7-Series is however far more about what’s inside that ultra-comfortable cabin. Spacious and luxurious, upscale cabin ambiance is enhanced by a raft of convenience features. There’s generous room in front and the rear, while fine materials and finishes line every inch of a truly sensuous cockpit.
Floating digital dials and infotainment displays twin behind a large single pane of glass to offer a clear look at driving data and entertainment. The screen-based systems and touch-sensitive controls can be overwhelming, but there’s still a degree of button and knob ability. The good old iDrive bezel does its job and while base functions like temp and fan are digital, they’re at least always accessible.
Our car packed in a 31.3-inch rear entertainment screen crossing width of the cabin. It drops from the ceiling to stream Netflix, YouTube and the like via the car’s 5G connection. Deployed, it brings a drive-in theatre, but can get in the way when accessing or exiting the cabin. This Executive Lounge packed tester’s rear-seat passengers also sat in power reclining seats with super-plush headrests, touch control panels on the door rests, and wireless charging. Trunk space is plentiful, where longer items also benefit a handy rear-seat pass-through.
7-Series still more about what’s inside
Other high tech 7 features include 30 external sensors to run the hands-free semi-autonomous adaptive cruise control, lane keeping with departure warning, pedestrian detecting auto emergency braking and the rest. A smartphone self-parking app will even park the car after the driver has left the vehicle
Space is beyond generous all-round, while we’d even say that top class BMW build quality now even rivals the likes of big brother Rolls Royce Ghost. Aspects like the ambient lighting are splendid, while the electrically operated doors work well when they actually work. But they take some getting used to and can be unpredictable. We love how pressing the brake pedal closes the driver’s door.
Speaking of space and size, this latest seven looks huge, because it is huge. 5.4 metres is even longer than the previous LWB model and it’s wider and taller than the old one too. A high window line adds to the drama. You keep an eye on those birds-eye cameras whenever you park or manoeuvre the car. Yet it feels so much smaller when you get out on the road and drive. That genetic sheer driving pleasure comes to the fore to make it feel far smaller than it is from behind the wheel.
Is BMW’s M760e today’s limo of choice?
The seven rides in outstanding silence with little to no wind or road noise in electric mode. It’s interesting to press from silent electric to that typical BMW-straight-six howl when the petrol fires up. Sport mode however adds csick bagpipe noises to completely ruin an otherwise fine aural experience. Speaking of which, that left paddle boost mode readies the hybrid system for action, but is it necessary? This smooth and flexible petrol-electric powertrain is good enough on its own. Makes the boost a bit of a gimmick
Fast in a straight line, the M760e is probably even more impressive in the corners. Chassis tech includes everything from all-wheel drive to air suspension with electronically controlled dampers, 48V active roll control and rear-wheel steering. All that conspires to deliver truly nimble handling for a two and a half ton limo. In fact it makes a mockery of body roll to deliver a shockingly agile feel. Which makes it heartening to note that BMW hasn’t forgotten that its primary brand value is building drivers’ cars.
Engineered from the outset to accommodate every kind of powertrain, this M760e is probably the pick of the BMW 7-series range. Its supreme luxury and versatility while still able to deliver BMW sheer driving pleasure in spades at the same time as being squeaky clean enough when needed, set it apart as a truly remarkable machine. And the limo of choice right now, even if its obscure looks and three million price tag make it a truly exclusive choice. – Michele Lupini
Images & Testing: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: BMW M760e xDrive
Engine: 420e kW 800e Nm
3-litre turbo petrol I6 hybrid
Drive: 8-speed automatic AWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 2.05 sec
0-100 km/h: 4.18 sec
0-120 km/h: 5.53 sec
0-160 km/h 9.14 sec
400m: 11.5 sec @ 153 km/h
80-120 km/h: 2.50 sec
120-160 km/h: 3.61 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 250 km/h
Fuel: 2.2 l/100 km
CO2 46 g/km
Range: 70e km, 1050 km
Warranty/Service: 5y 100K/2y unl. km
LIST PRICE: R 3.09M
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