2016 BMW 750Li M Sport India review, test drive

What’s it like to drive?

The engine first, and it’s the familiar 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 444bhp and 66.28kgm that was in the outgoing 7-series as well, although we didn’t get a chance to sample it with this updated power output. It’s a sporty motor, and you can feel it from the get-go. It fires to life with the slightest of shimmies, and though it settles into a silent idle, the moment you rev it past about 2,000rpm, a slight murmur arises. Yes, that means it’s not the most refined V8 in the class, but it also goads you to push it further, and when you do, the murmur turns into a proper snarl. It will rev to almost 7,000rpm in full Sport mode! In fact, in Eco Pro and Comfort modes, the responses feel artificially dulled, but combined with the smooth eight-speed auto, it does its job of making the 750Li feel suitably relaxed around town. In Sport, however, it accelerates with the urgency (if perhaps not the ferocity, understandably) of an M5! BMW’s claim of 4.7 seconds to 100kph seems about right. The gearbox is really well tuned too, being super obedient and quick to react, whether at low speeds or high, part throttle or flat out.

This is the first 7-series to have air suspension not just on the rear axle, but on the front one too, and ride quality has hugely improved as a result. Where the old car felt clunky at low speeds and through potholes, this one is so much better at ironing them out. It’s really impressive when you consider the optional 20-inch wheels and their 35-profile tyres; we imagine the standard ones will yield an even more comfortable ride. You still feel a thud over a sharp edge, but again, it’s really impressive given the spec of wheel and tyre we’re running on. Of the drive modes, 'Comfort' is probably the best compromise if you want ride comfort. ‘Comfort Plus’ does give a softer edge, but you get a lot more vertical movement over undulations and speed as well. Sport mode is actually great for highway runs because it gives the flattest ride and minimum suspension travel, but perhaps it’s not best for inner-city driving.

Sport mode of course tightens up the steering and makes for a sharper driving experience overall. The old 7-series seemed to err too much on the sporty side, feeling a bit too large, heavy and cumbersome and low speeds, but fantastic when you pushed it hard. This one aims for more of a middle ground and does a great job of it. The new steering has perhaps lost that great heft that made it feel so good at speed, but it’s still incredibly accurate with very little slack, even though it’s super light now. The best part is that all these elements (including the seating position and good visibility) mean the car soon shrinks around you and you soon feel confident to push this massive sedan as hard as you would a 3-series.