Not that long ago we marvelled as James Bond drove his BMW 7 Series from the back seat, using a remote control in Tomorrow Never Dies. This was exciting fiction.
But with the sixth generation of BMW’s flagship model you can stand outside the car as it slides into narrow parking places, and in the near future you will be able to get out at the car park entrance and leave the 7 Series to look for a space automatically before parking, switching off and locking itself. When you return it will drive down by itself to meet you. We are well on the way to self-driving cars.
The new 7 Series is longer than before, but the same width and up to 130kg lighter. Innovations include Laserlight headlamps which double the light range, and an i-Drive system which lets you drag and move the computer functions, swiping and pinching like a smartphone.
There is also programmable gesture control, which lets you wave at the screen to adjust radio volume or station, and for the first time there is an all-wheel-drive option.
The six-cylinder engines range from the 265hp 730d to the 449hp 750i and prices range from £64,530 to £76,320 — no prices have been announced yet for plug-in hybrid versions, which arrive in 2016. The interior, which can feature high-grade quilted leather and fragrances tailored to your liking, makes a big play of classy ambient lighting, and rear legroom is vast.
The big question is, can it match the Mercedes S Class? Arguably, not quite, but when you look at the cost options, it probably beats the Merc on value.
BMW 730d
Top speed: 155mph;
CO2: 124g/km;
Combined MPG: 60.1;
Price: £64,530
