BMW 7 Series in the driving report: Oh, that wouldn't have been necessary

S o he didn't really need that yet, but one little update to midlife has never hurt anyone. Especially not one who, like the BMW 7 Series, woos customers in higher spheres. When it comes to luxury limousines, you shouldn't let the subject of drive, comfort or multimedia slip, otherwise your place will be quickly occupied by the competition.

In contrast to the trip to Jerusalem, the luxury class is waiting for you none until the music stops. So BMW designed the usual major service halfway through the model cycle for the BMW 7 Series to be both holistic and careful. For everyone who wants to score with 'Can you see the difference?': Larger kidney grille with nine instead of twelve bars, front apron with modified inlets and airflow conduction ('air curtains'), indicators in the mirrors and delicate rear cosmetics including chrome jewelry.

New BMW 7 Series with targeted spotlights

There are also optional LED headlights that not only shine like daylight, but also politely cut out those driving ahead and oncoming people from the beam of light. Instead of mechanically using a roller, this happens by means of targeted dimming of individual LEDs. In addition, the BMW 7 Series detects heat radiation in the dark, such as that emitted by people or animals, with its thermal imaging camera, gives a message in the head-up display and illuminates it specifically with a spotlight - literally more illuminating than the driver on the screen in the car to let them stare.

A lot has happened in the BMW 7 Series. Chronograph fans with a penchant for real dials, pointers and chrome rings now have to be strong, because the BMW 7 Series now also provides information (for an extra charge) on the instrument display via TFT screen. At 10.3 inches, it is just as big as its counterpart in the center console, but is entrusted with completely different tasks. It changes, for example, the scale display for the speedometer and rev counter analogous to the selected driving mode. In the normal position, the monitor offers high-resolution and smoothly displayed round instruments including additional features such as a magnifying glass function for the current speed or the graphic display of the difference between the speed limit and the actual speed.

In Eco mode, the BMW 7 Series becomes an eco-trainer

In Eco-Pro mode (not for BMW 760i), the instruments become the blue-colored eco-trainer. Instead of the speed, they document the power requirement or recuperation thatSpeedometer scale ends earlier. In sport mode, the driver sees orange, a large rev counter plus digital speedometer and gear indicator dominate. Too much booth magic? No problem, the magnifying glass and extra modes can be deselected in the BMW 7 Series. Which would be a shame, because the fine work of the engineers is literally visible. Just to get the magnifying glass function of the speedometer in such a way that it supports without annoying - great.

The i-Drive control from BMW also has great. For over ten years it has matured from the (too) far-anticipating birth of engineers to an exemplary operating concept. Nevertheless, the BMW 7 Series is up to speed - with sharper graphics, clearer, three-dimensional surface designs, driven by a 1.3 gigahertz processor plus a separate 3D graphics card. With voice-controlled reading and dictation functions as well as fundamentally improved command input, the BMW 7 Series competently mimes the secretary, while as usual it helps to avoid traffic jams with real-time traffic information.

And when will the Bayerische Motorenwerke arrive? Now: with more power, less consumption and eight-speed automatic for everyone. New in the BMW 7 Series are the hybrid with a six-cylinder turbo gasoline engine and the 750d x-Drive developed by sports sister M. The 381 hp diesel boss meets Euro 6 and, in addition to three turbochargers, comes with all-wheel drive as standard - 740 Newton meters should ultimately go up in propulsion and not in smoke. In order to increase comfort and driving precision, bearings and dampers were modified, and air suspension on the rear axle and electromechanical steering, also available as an active version with rear-wheel steering, are standard. Measures that not only strengthen the BMW 7 Series as a dynamic self-driving sedan, but also improve comfort, especially in the rear.

Fine-resolution B&O sound system

Logical - the long version of the large BMW 7 Series (5.22 instead of 5.08 meters) sells best around the world, many customers will probably never take a look at the instruments. But probably on the new entertainment system with the elegant flat screens. So you shouldn't care that the new, narrower front seats are as comfortable as their predecessors, that the electric steering is pleasantly supported and gives precise feedback, and the 4.4-liter V8 with Valvetronic and 450 hp pushes even more powerfully with smooth running.

In view of this, many BMW 7 Series owners should lean back into the soft leather of the optional individual seats while enjoying the sound of the finely resolved B&O sound system, improved noise insulation, the particularly gentle rear wheel steering and the protection of extensive driver assistance sigh: 'Oh, that wouldn't have been necessary.'