BMW just upped the limousine game with its new 7 Series Plug-In Hybrid

It is an all-wheel drive, can be fully charged in under 5 hours from any electric socket and can hit 140km/h in full electric mode.

While we were still reeling from the awe at BMW’s new 5 Series 530i M, the luxury carmaker left us no grounds to catch our breaths by adding to its 7 Series too.

It premiered two new premium versions – the 740i and 750i – but the one that got everyone talking is the new plug-in hybrid, the 740Le xDrive.

This hybrid in particular retains all the wow factors that the 7 Series is renowned for, but adds to the modern opulences with BMWi’s eDrive technology, combining the best of both BMW’s eDrive expertise and BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology for style, power and efficiency.

First impression

The future-oriented philosophy of BMW i is apparent at first sight. Specific to this model, the C-pillars come adorned with the eDrive badges while the front side panels are graced with the BMY i logos. It retains its majestic presence with the same wheelbase as its predecessor – maintaining it as the largest series-produced sedan BMW has built to date – dressed up with chrome finished air inlet grilles, rear decorative bumper moulding with chrome tailpipe finishers and kidney struts in silver with front strut in chrome. These are capped off with 19-inch light alloy double-spoke wheels for a singular elegance.

Skindeep

Under the hood is where its greatest strength lies – the 740Le xDrive comes with both combustion engines and electric drive systems for all that power you’re used to but with lowered fuel comsumption and consequently, significantly reduced emissions.

This is achieved by means of the latest 2.0 litre four-cylinder in-line engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo expertise direct from the EfficientDynamics engine family. The most potent engine of its breed to be fitted into a series-produced BMW model, it gives a maximum output of 258hp with a peak torque of 400Nm.

Partnered with it is the eDrive expertise, enabling the car a notable maximum output of 113 hp and a peak torque of 250 Nm in pure electric driving mode. Fully integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission system, the electric motor also works as a generator, running either on the efficient lifting of the engine’s load points or by recuperating braking energy – depending on the selected hybrid mode.

Together, the combustion engine and the electric drive system put forth an output of 326 hp and a combined peak torque of 500 Nm, enabling the hybrid sedan to accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds.

What’s new

While previous generations have seen the Driving Experience Control at work, this new one introduces the ADAPTIVE mode that unlocks the car’s responses to adapt to the driver’s style and route profile. The ECO PRO, COMFORT and SPORT modes are also further refined to communicate their respective composition of dynamics, comfort and efficiency.

What’s most exciting is perhaps the introduction of the BMW all-wheel xDrive system, made available for the first time in a BMW sedan in Malaysia. This transforms the 740Le into an intelligent all-wheel drive system with the fastest reaction and flexibility in its segment. Switch drive power between front and rear axles as and when needed, without sacrificing traction, push or precision.

Inside

If you’ve ever sat in the World Luxury Car of the Year 2016 before, you’ll know how reclining in the back seat is akin to being pampered. Things have been made even more indulgent with BMW Touch Displays for on-board monitors and BMW Gesture Control for ambience lighting and mood effects. Almost every feature in the vehicle from comfort to entertainment functions are also controllable by means of the BMW Touch Command via the first-of-its-kind 7-inch tablet that is connected to the vehicle systems.

For the audiophiles, music is played as it should be with the 16-speaker 600x Harman Kardon Surround Sound System, adjustable from both front and back of the sedan. Everything is of course, also connected to the BMW Connected App that allows for the governing of the entire car from a smartphone.

Safe drive, clean energy

Despite its size and all that it can do, the 740Le will consume only 2.5litres of fuel per 100km. This extraordinarily low consumption is complemented with a wealth of on-board safety equipment including front and side airbags, head/curtain airbags for the front and rear seats, a knee airbag for the driver, ISOFIX child seat mountings in the rear, and the Active Protection System – amongst other features.

The best part of it is that is can be charged from any power socket. Its high-voltage lithium-ion battery can reach a full charge in uner 5 hours, manageable via either the BMW Remote app on a smartphone or the graphic in the car’s instrument cluster.

The All-New BMW 740Le xDrive is available in Black Sapphire, Imperial Blue, Mineral White, and Sophisto Grey. Inside, the upholstery is lined with exclusive Nappa leather while the interior trim finishes in Poplar Grain Grey fine-wood. It is available at all authorised BMW dealerships across the country.

The retail price (on the road, without insurance, and with BMW Group Malaysia’s latest 5 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty, Free Scheduled Service Program and BMW Tyre Warranty Programme) for the All-New BMW 740Le xDrive is:

Retail Price Before Government Approved Hybrid Incentive – RM 853,800.00
Government Approved Hybrid Incentive – RM 255,000.00
Retail Price After Government Approved Hybrid Incentive – RM 598,800.00