Seven heaven

SOME cars debut with some new technology; the new BMW 7 Series is bursting with it. The sixth edition of the flagship BMW sedan has so many novel features it feels like it has advanced more than one generation.

Firstly, the engine and body are brand new. The latest BMW 740Li's turbocharged engine has the same 3.0-litre capacity and six cylinders but is new and more efficient. The body construction boasts "carbon core" technology, or BMW's lightweight design combo of carbon fibre, high-tensile steel and aluminium. For example, carbon fibre is used for the roof structure, front pillar and transmission tunnel, and it is pressed with steel for the centre pillar.

This results in the 740Li shedding up to 130 kg to weigh in at 1,770 kg. While the car is almost the same size (it has the exact 3,210 mm wheelbase as before), it comes with a whole lot more standard equipment.