BMW’s latest luxury car, the 7-Series was launched recently. It’s pitted against the Mercedes Benz S-Class. Falling behind in sales as compared to the S-Class in India, the revived 7-Series will be aiming to dethrone the former and take the segment crown for itself.
There is also Audi’s A8, but it hardly poses any competition in this segment in India.
So will the 7-Series be able to outscore the S-Class when it finally launches in India? We believe it will, with ease.
Design
When it comes to exterior design, the BMW 7-Series and the Mercedes Benz S-Class take a different approach. BMW emphasises the driving dynamics through its design.
The Mercedes goes all bling and luxurious. something you often see on Bentleys and Rolls Royces. The front-end of the BMW 7-Series offers a softer approach to aggressive designing.
The rear-end design of the Bimmer is sportier, and the BMW’s 7-Series is definitely more muscular than the S-Class.
Interiors
The interior is where the 7-Series truly transforms into a geek’s paradise. It’s also opulent and luxurious with exotic leather, wood and aluminium works.
Much like the S-Class, the gauge cluster on the 7-Series has been replaced with a 12.3” screen.
The most kick-ass feature of all is BMW’s new Gesture Control, which recognises five different gestures. Point to the iDrive screen and it accepts phone calls.
Swipe left or right, and it drops the call. Twirl a finger clockwise, and it turns the radio up. Twirl your finger counter-clockwise, and it turns it down.
A two-finger point can be programmed to do anything – start navigation or call your favourite contact.
BMW says that once you’re used to Gesture Control, you’ll wonder how you ever did without it.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class of course relies on its luxury car roots, but the 7-Series is about advanced technology and has a more modern feel. And one would obviously want something that is futuristic and luxurious.
Engine
The new BMW 7-Series comes with a 320 Bhp 3.0-litre turbo inline-six cylinder engine. But for self-driving enthusiasts the 445 Bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 is the engine to look out for. Rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic are standard; all-wheel drive is optional.
The standard and optional luxury goods include a trunk that opens when you wave your foot under the rear bumper, wireless phone charging and a key that makes a smartphone look like a piece of junk.
It does make the S-Class look like a sham for now, purely on what it has to offer. Right now the older BMW 7-Series prices start at Rs 1.07 crore and when the new one comes to India, it will start somewhere in that price range.
The Mercedes S-Class might have some tough competition in India when the new BMW 7-Series lands on Indian shores.
Watch: The All-new BMW 7-Series’ Official Launch Film
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