2016 BMW 750Li M Sport India review, test drive

Incredible performance, hugely improved luxury and comfort, and next-gen tech are what define BMW’s new flagship V8 limousine.

Published on Feb 24, 2016 05:25:00 PM

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2016 BMW 750Li M Sport India review, test drive

Make : BMW

Model : 7 Series

What is it?

It’s the new BMW flagship limousine that takes the brand to an all-new level, not just of luxury, but also of connectivity and technology. Some of the highlights? Supercar-grade carbon-fibre elements at crucial points in the chassis for weight reduction combined with added strength. A new touchscreen-operated iDrive system with gesture controls. Autonomous parking while you’re standing outside the car – okay, this one isn’t available in India yet, but the rest and so much more are. With the S-class having set a new benchmark for this segment in 2014, not to mention the arrival of updated versions of the Jaguar XJ and Audi A8, BMW’s response was long overdue. And though we can’t give you a definitive verdict on which is the best until they go head-to-head, we can tell you about the new 7-series and what it means for all future BMWs.

The look of the car can be a bit divisive. Where the previous 7 was simple and safe, this one is rather dramatic, especially in this rather loud M Sport guise; personally, the standard ‘Design Pure Excellence’ trim seems a lot easier on the eye. At the front, the BMW kidney grille is bigger than you ever thought possible, now connected to the headlamps, which are oddly shaped and feature BMW’s new signature LED daytime running lamps – an evolution of the traditional, circular ‘corona rings’ that have been around for decades. The M Sport bumper’s massive faux splitter is also a bit hit-or-miss. From the side, the long-wheelbase 7-series, as before, shows off every inch of its length, highlighted by the chrome strip that extends down the base; the optional 20-inch wheels do help with the stance though. At the rear, this M Sport version gets a chunky gunmetal grey lower section and huge twin exhaust tips, but that doesn’t do enough to hide the fact that the 7-series’ tail is a bit generic looking now. The signature L-shaped tail-lamps of the last car have been flattened and widened, and frankly, just don’t look as special anymore. Perhaps it’s a look that will grow on you, but first impressions are of a mishmash of too many elements, at least on the M Sport, that ends up looking neither luxurious nor sporty.