Test drive BMW 7 E65 E66 2001 - 2005 sedan

Bold "Seven"

New flagship BMW, or a riddle of a billion dollars
 
... The Roman approached the car carefully, like a UFO, began to go around it and suddenly, looking at the BMW nameplate, froze for a moment, slapped himself on his forehead and exclaimed: Bella Madonna! Then he got to the front line, slapped himself on his forehead again and uttered a tirade inaccessible to understanding and playback. Then, giving the journalists a smile and expressing mixed feelings from what he saw, he headed for his Bavarian five, not ceasing to grumble something, as if arguing with himself. However, all the participants in the test drive, collectively and to themselves argued. Because the BMW concern, having spent more than a billion dollars, provided a great occasion for this.
 
Already the appearance cannot but cause a brand of conflicting feelings in the admirer. The seven, of course, added solidity, but it seems that her new forms no longer so vividly emphasize the dynamics inherent in models from Bavaria. Perhaps a car lengthening in comparison with a predecessor by 44 mm, replenished by 42 and grown by 52 mm, to show its temper and is not to the face. I admit, another thing is important to her: at first glance, her position in society becomes clear, a modern way of thinking and behavior and the price affordable not to everyone. Hence the raid of melancholy.
 
And if about the details? The front part leaves no doubt about belonging to the surname. Characteristic nostrils are preserved, although now they have become more, flirty visors have appeared above the headlights, but they do not look vulgar. In general - very good. But the ass, excuse me, is noticeably heavier. That is, for an amateur. I caught myself thinking that there is something from the last models of a representative class created, for example, in America and Sweden. And having talked with one of the representatives of the concern, he received an unexpectedly simple explanation for this circumstance: around the world, designers use a computer and trust him more and more. This is mathematically smart iron and provokes new forms, subordinating inspiration to cold calculation of, say, the aerodynamics of the future car.
 
On the other hand, the Bavarians have repeatedly provoked the audience, finding bold solutions, which at first met with hostility, and then fell in love with many people. So it was, for example, with a new three -year -old in 1992. And with a new form of headlights several years ago. In addition, there is one more important thing - a factor that justifies computer strokes in its own way in appearance - this is an internal content. It has a separate name - idrive.
 
Inside the computer
 
Nevertheless, before proceeding to the story of the electronic filling, you should sit in a chair and pay tribute to delicious comfort. Front seats are a work of engineering. They are not moving to the side, they can do everything else. You, excuse me, stools? There is no problem, press the corresponding button and adjust the tilt under the shoulders. Thin? Two more buttons, and side support is provided. Have you sat down a little on a long trip? Touch the finger of the next button with your finger, and get massage of the saturated part of the body. In a word, a person of any complexion and it does not matter what ideas about the beautiful seven will surely please.
 
The rear passengers will not feel in her. They have a full gentleman's set at hand, including adjustable headrests, the curtains of the rear and side glasses - all this, of course, is controlled using the same buttons and keys. In general, inside you will not find anything that would be regulated mechanically. The exception is only an ashtray and door handles.
 
Now, perhaps, about the main thing. BMW 7th series is the first machine in which the new Idrive concept is applied. And this is the first car in my practice that I got into, but did not go right away, but only after a half -hour lecture, which gave at least elementary concepts, how to manage this whole concept. The key detail - something like a joystick - is located on the armrest between the driver and the front passenger. Pulling, pressing or turning a small rounded hilt, you get access to various systems.
 
Need, say, navigation? Swear the handle to the right and get into the menu. Moreover, the direction of movement will be displayed on the screen behind the tachometer, which is very convenient. Want to watch TV? There is no problem - a pen to the left. Disable the stabilization system? The same handle diagonally southwest, and you are in the car settings menu. Yes, I almost forgot, the results of your actions will also be displayed on the color screen in the middle of the dashboard. In general, the feeling that you are not driving a car, but in front of a computer screen. Comfortable? Yes. Unusual? Yes. Requires addiction? Yes. It is good to at least control climate control and an audio system using traditional buttons on the panel and on the steering wheel.
 
But you will not find the usual (and unusual) levers of the checkpoint and the parking brake in the car no matter how much you look. The handbrake is replaced by the button to the left of the steering wheel. But the main thing is not even that. For example, we must slow down, but for some reason it is impossible to press the pedal: well, a bottle of water rolled up or a leg was in a convulsion - whatever happens. Cain problems, as the Germans say: feel free to click on the manual brake button - the electronics itself are as smooth as possible, but it will stop the car quite quickly.
 
As for the automatic checkpoint, you control it with the help of a second steering wheel lever located next to the one that sets the wipers. They pulled on themselves and down - turned on the position D (drive), as can be seen in the icon in the middle of the instrument. On itself and up - the rear gear. Stopped, click on the button - you transferred the transmission to Parking. The checkpoint itself has three operating modes - standard, sports and manual. The transition is carried out using a button on the steering wheel. In manual mode of operation, the transmission is switched again using the buttons on the front side of the steering wheel (reduced gear) and on the back (increased). It is convenient to switch to a low gear, not very much.
 
The button has to be groped constantly. And in the turns, it is impossible to keep the fingers on the buttons. However, this cannot be considered a minus, since it is difficult to imagine that the owner of a luxurious sedan is too fond of active ride. Most will be enough an automatic machine with two modes.
 
Regarding the equipment of the car: it has everything, and even a little more. The rain sensor, automatically included xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control, capable of maintaining a distance to the in front of a walking car, a phone with voice control, parking sensors and much more. By the way, the parking system system is notable. Unlike most of these systems, the screen indicates not only the distance to the object, but also its location. As soon as you turn on the rear gear, the contour of the car appears and everything that is around it appears. The trunk opens using a special electric motor activated from the key fob. Closes in the same way. Didn't the door tightly closed the door? The computer will do it for you. Have you closed the window, leaving the car? Close itself.
 
Two cars in one
 
In general, a keychain is the most important detail, only on it there is no key. Because it is not needed. To the right of the steering wheel there is a gap where the keychain itself should be inserted. It remains only to press the button nearby - the start -up of the engine - and you can go on the road.
 
Only one modification of the 7th BMW series was proposed to the test-7451. Under the hood, an 8-cylinder engine with a volume of 4.5 liters and a capacity of 333 hp. The checkpoint is the world's first 6 -speed machine that allows a machine with such an engine to dial 100 km/h in just 6.3 seconds. Moreover, the programs are switched quickly, but smoothly, without jerks. The very acceleration itself, as well as the maximum speed limited by electronics at a mark of 250 km/h, is practically not felt, quietly and comfortable inside. Only the landscape behind double glass begins to change with kaleidoscopic speed. The steering is quite soft and light. But it is worth changing the installations of the car to sports, that is, to turn off the stabilization systems and transfer the suspension into a sport mode, the steering wheel is noticeably heavy.
 
I managed to ride on two modifications of the BMW 7th series. The whole difference is in wheels and rubber. It is noteworthy that the technical characteristics indicate only one size of the tires - 245/55 R17. On test cars, either 18- or 19-inch wheels were installed. The first I got a car with Michelin of the 18th radius. And ... I was somewhat disappointed. On the mountain serpentine, where the car reveals all its capabilities, such a situation arose. Ahead is a steep turn, degrees under 90. All electronic systems are intentionally included, the suspension is in comfort mode, the feedback on the steering wheel is not very noticeable. I turn, when suddenly, completely unexpectedly, it begins to bring the back of the car. Only when I already started to fight the skid independently, the stabilization system turned on. Late, in my opinion, help was no longer needed, moreover, I had to adjust the actions of the system itself. It is likely that it is finalized and the program will be improved.
 
But the next day I enjoyed, it seems, already a completely different BMW - with tires of 19 inches and rubber Pirelli P -zero. Mindful of yesterday, he immediately converted the suspension to the sport mode and turned off the DSC stabilization system. On the small screen of the instrument shield, the inscription was displayed: DSC Inactive. Please Drive Moderatly (DSC is turned off. Please control balances). Will try. Sports regime of the checkpoint, gas to the floor - let's go! Here everything fell into place. That's when the true character of the BMW is manifested, they simply tried to hide it behind electronic barriers. The steering wheel is heavy, with excellent feedback, the cranes of the body in the bends are minimal. Eat is perfectly felt and controlled. In a word, the real Driver's Car. Now it is completely clear that the traditions are preserved and there is the same highlight that distinguishes cars from Bavaria from many other representatives of the representative class.
 
I note another undoubted plus of the car - economy. Even in the city, according to the manufacturer, only 15.5 liters of gasoline are required per 100 km of run - an excellent result. And the average consumption on the highway is 8.3 liters, so on long trips with a fuel tank of 88 liters you can drive a thousand kilometers without refueling.
 
Prospects
 
“Cars of the new 7th BMW series will appear in our European dealers in November,” says the head of the communications department of the Rudy Probst concern. - In America and Japan, sales will begin in early 2002. The machine will be sold around the world, but the main volumes of implementation, according to our calculations, will be in the USA, the Asia-Pacific region and Western Europe. Serial production is already in full swing. Until the end of 2001, we plan to produce about ten thousand cars. So far, we will offer two modifications: with indices 735 and 745. A little later, by spring, a long -drawn version will appear, and the top -model 760i will appear in the fall of next year.
 
- Is the price known?
 
- It was for the new seven that we have somewhat changed the usual sales scheme. Now the head of each regional unit of the concern will independently decide what the list of standard equipment in a particular country should be. Thus, the price of a car in a particular market will be different. Now I can only say the approximate price in Germany - about 130 thousand German brands.
 
We are talking about the prospects of the new seven and other BMW models with BMW CEO Rusland Trading Wolfgang Schlimme:
 
“Just at the Motor Show in St. Petersburg, the Russian premiere of our new model took place,” he says. - And immediately, already in November, sales begin. Because BMW considers the Russian market strategically important. So any of our new products appear in Russia almost at the same time as in other European countries. I definitely can’t say about the price now, but I know one thing: it will be the same in Moscow and in Novosibirsk in any region. Since, according to the new strategy, a list of standard equipment is determined in each country, the cars officially supplied to Russia are already in the basic version will have almost all options. We made such a decision based on sales experience.
 
The Russian buyer, say,, say, wants to have a huge list of standard equipment and does not want to see a long list of options.
 
- How many seeds do you hope to sell this and next year?
 
- If we talk about the market potential of the new model, then we are very optimistic. By the end of this year, we plan to import about two hundred cars. Moreover, almost everything has already been sold. I think that next year the implementation will be successful, although it is possible to guess and call any specific numbers so far.
 
- Do not you think that the car has changed so much that it requires special positioning in the market?
 
-Yes, the new model of the 7th BMW series is a revolution in many ways. Nevertheless, I would not talk about some special positioning in the market. Buyers of such cars are always different from the rest. And our company, one might say, develops certain good relations with them. I mean primarily the level of service. By the way, it took us more than a year to train staff not only to sell cars of the new 7th series, but also to service them qualitatively. As for the special marketing strategy, it really is somewhat changed precisely in relation to this model.
 
You will not see a huge amount of advertising on the streets and in the media. Of course, the advertising campaign will be, but its volume and focus will become different. We intend to focus on the image of the brand and on personal contacts with customers. We are going to hold several special events specifically for potential buyers. Who exactly do we count on? First of all, those who already owns a car of the 7th BMW series and do not want to purchase another car. The second group of customers are those who have not yet had experience in the management and ownership of cars of our brand. We will try to simply put them in the car and say: try and compare with your car. I think this is the right approach.
 
- Are there any production plans for this model in Kaliningrad?
 
- Not. The production capacities of German factories are enough to complete demand for the full demand. At least now the situation is this. If in the future it changes, perhaps we will revise our plans.
 
- And the last question: are you satisfied with the level of sales in Russia this year and how do you assess the prospects of 2002?
 
- If we talk about specific numbers, then in the first nine months of this year we sold 2001 a car. Ahead of cars of the 5th series (970 cars), the second place belongs to the 3rd series (553), followed by X5 (376), 7th series (99) and Z8 (3 cars). Now, unfortunately, we have sold almost all the cars that we had. Therefore, it is difficult to determine with great accuracy the total sales in 2001. The capabilities of our plant in Kaliningrad, and the BMW concern in general, are practically exhausted. Nevertheless, I am sure that the final figure will exceed the line of 2500 cars, which means an increase of 150% compared to the result of last year. Of course, we are satisfied with this and with great optimism look into the future. I am sure that in 2002 good prospects are waiting for us.
 
Andrey Osipov
 

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 2 (2), 2001]