Test drive BMW 7 E65 E66 2005 - 2007 sedan
Gorgeous "seven"
The evolution of the main boomer The seventh BMW series is popularly called the seven, just like the notorious product of the domestic auto industry. True, the difference is between heaven and earth. Despite the fact that the German seven had already hit twenty years.
BMW 750i E32
Price from $ 3500
Max. Power 299 hp at 5200 vol./min
Max. torque 450 nm at 4100 rpm/min
Acceleration 0100 km/h 7.4 s
BMW 750i E38
Price from $ 14000
Max. Power 326 hp at 5000 rpm/min
Max. torque 490 nm at 3900 rpm/min
Acceleration 0100 km/h 6.6 s
BMW 750LI
Price from $ 55,000
Max. Power 367 hp at 6300 vol./min
Max. torque 490 nm at 3400 rpm/min
Acceleration 0100 km/h 6.0 s
BMW 750i E32 19871994 were times Riding in sliding is easily controlled and gives genuine pleasure to the gambling driver.
It was twenty years ago, in 1987, BMW introduced the seventh series to the public under index 750, equipped with a five -liter V12, which marked the beginning of a new era of twelve -cylinder representative sedans. Mercedes was forced to urgently mobilize his resources for an adequate answer, because the maximum that the competitor of the seven, Mercedes in the 126th body, was the maximum of the V8 motor. And according to other parameters of the difference between the new model from competitors and predecessors (E23), new control standards and dynamics in their class set.
A cigar -shaped body now, in the 21st century, looks modern. The swift contours of the fuselage indicate that the seven was born not to ride, but to fly low. The aviation theme continues in the cabin. The central console turned to the driver, as it were, blockses him from the passenger and creates the feeling of the cockpit. Everywhere the skin and soft plastic, and the assembly quality at a height even by today's standards. Of course, there are no many elements familiar to our time 
equipments, such as the automatic mode of electric windows (controlled keys on the central tunnel), or adjusting the steering wheel in height. But in the length of the steering wheel moves in a rather large range, stunningly comfortable seats are taken into their arms as if sewn by your standards, and there are climate control and on-board computer on the central console. That's just to control the rear window curtain, the place was found only near the deflectors of blowing the rear of the cabin between the front seats. An interesting part of the nozzle of the front side windows are located in the window sills of the doors, which allows you to warm the glass immediately after warming up the motor. Although freezing or fogging is unlikely to threaten them: BMW 750 The world's first car with double windows between which is the air gap. These are real double -glazed windows that do not pass either cold or sound outside. In general, despite his age and a slightly old-fashioned design, the seven interior in the 32nd body offers the comfort and ergonomics of the highest sample. It remains to check what this boomer is on the go. 
The basis for the V12 under the M70 index was a compact in -line six with an aluminum alloy cylinder block, which appeared in 1977. At that time, car manufacturers were not so puzzled by a decrease in the cost of production, as now. Thanks to this, the engine has two throttle, two control units, two gas pumps, etc. The motor turned out for centuries still has been working smoothly, quietly and without vibrations. And by appearance, it resembles the engines of modern Rolls-Royce Baemwash Pores, where the designers of the phantom scilage inspiration. Powerful thrust from below, with a pickup after 4000 rpm. Even an old four -speed machine is not able to spoil the impression of acceleration. The seven rides, on the one hand, in representatively softly and imposingly, on the other hand, a Bavarian breed is felt in the car. The informative steering wheel and the axes are close to the perfect axes allow you to attack turns with liveliness that are not characteristic of many representative sedans and younger generations. And on the line, everything is fine: steering is not required even on a bad road. Supporting the brake control. Slow down is accurate and adequate to the pedal. And if you turn off the ASC antibouxing system, the car is easier than the lung to break into the skid, but the sliding is easily controlled and gives genuine pleasure. Some positive emotions, only memories are burdened.
An extortionist combat vehicle was called BMW in the era of the initial accumulation of capital and raspberry jackets. We went to the arrows, mainly on fives with tightly tinted glasses. And on seven, criminal authorities moved for the most part. Therefore, the seventh series, just like the rest of the BMW models, caused simple mortal respect, involved in fear. There were times.
750 The world's first car with double glass, between which there is an air gap.
The swift contours of the fuselage indicate that the seven was born not to ride, but to fly low.
Engine
Type gasoline, v12
Working volume, cm3 4988
Max. Power, l. With. at about./min 299/5200
Max. moment, nm at about./min 450/4100
Dynamics
Maximum speed, km/h 250
Acceleration 0100 km/h, from 7.4
common data
Fuel consumption (EU), l/100 km, city 19.8
Fuel consumption (EU), l/100 km, mixed 10.9
Fuel tank volume, l 102
Wheel base, mm 2835
Length, mm 4910
Width, mm 1839
Height, mm 1412
Diameter of the turn, m n/d
Clearance, mm 140
A mass of equipment./Poln, kg 1800/2320
Price, $ 350015,000
In 1994, V12 became 0.4 liters more, and the machine received the DSC system The model had a clearance system and, using electronics, controlled the stiffness of shock absorbers.
The third generation of the seventh series appeared in 1994. And they presented a model in Moscow at MIMS-94. True, the audience did not see a new seven, it was a closed show.
Compared to the 32nd body, the novelty has grown a little in all directions, and the design, having undergone evolutionary changes, acquired classic features. The E38 body itself is laconicism and severity, multiplied by a refined style and grace. Many consider it the last real representative BMW (in the light of the latest Banglovsky design changes).
Inside the changes are the same evolutionary as outside. And here he is drawn to name the interior of the classic backwall, again, in the light of the above events. There are almost no plastic in the salon of the 750th, except for buttons and levers. Torpedo and the central console are lined with skin (only the twelve -cylinder version). Excellent ergonomics has become even better. The windows control keys moved to the driver's door and purchased an automatic mode for all glasses. The steering wheel received in height has acquired the control buttons most often in demand, such as switching radio channels, reducing the lifelization of music volume or control of a loud telephone connection. None of the competitors could offer this at that time. As well as the navigation system, on the screen of which during the parking one could watch TV. The seats became even more convenient and acquired a separate adjustment of the top of the back, which, again, had no rivals. 
The motor was obtained using easy modernization of the good old M70, which added in the volume of 0.4 liters and equipped with an electronic control system Motronic 5.2. This made it possible to increase the power when fuel consumption is reduced. The engine also lost some duplicate systems. In general, according to the halter, the 750th was ahead of the planet of the whole. What were the DSC stabilization system and a five -speed automatic gearbox that has a manual mode and can adapt to the driving manner. Another model had a clearance system and, using electronics, controlled the stiffness of shock absorbers. In motion, this miracle of engineering thought provides a sense of complete superiority over the neighbors in the stream. It is more comfortable, more precise, faster than the car of the previous generation. The smoothness of the move grew, while the car became more collected in corners. The seven conquers the cat's softness and accuracy of the habits. The adaptive machine operates in a quick way. It is impossible to complain about the steering and brakes. The pleasure of driving has become even more refined.
Fuel consumption has become less, power is greater, acceleration is more intensively
There are almost no plastic in the salon of the 750th, except for buttons and levers. Torpedo and the central console are lined with skin.
Engine
Type gasoline, v12
Working volume, cm3 5379
Max. Power, l. With. at about./min 326/5000
Max. moment, NM at about./min 490/3900
Dynamics
Maximum speed, km/h 250
Acceleration 0100 km/h, from 6.6
common data
Fuel consumption (EU), l/100 km, city of n/d
Fuel consumption (EU), l/100 km, mixed 14.85
Fuel tank volume, l 95
Wheel base, mm 2930
Length, mm 4984
Width, mm 1862
Height, mm 1425
Diameter of the turn, m 11.6
Clearance, mm 120
A mass of equipment./Poln, kg 1960/2495
Price, $ from 14,00035,000
BMW 750LI E66 2001 Our contemporary Despite the greater mass, E66 is perceived as the easiest car in our trinity.
For the first time, an elongated version of the seven received the body index (E66), different from the standard modification (E65). The manufacturer seemed to divorce the model: on a short driving the owner rides, and on a long personal driver.
We will not dwell on appearance for a long time, we only note that now the seven began to brush on the means to move in airless space. We also draw attention to the fact that some of the brand fans after the appearance of the novelty longed for the chief designer Chris Banlo for the liberty in the design of the BMW design. And we add that the number of new fans of this design exceeded the number of those who decided to never buy the products of the Bavarian motor factory again. Compared to the predecessor, E66 (we have a long -border option) looks much more both outside and inside. Even lazy spoke about the interior. The cockpit disappeared, the beard is no longer turned to the driver, and in general, and there was no beard itself. But the suffzer appeared
i-Drive screen booth with a joystick that controls the 720th functions of the car. The first it seems that you can’t figure it out without a schnapps. But, having traveled by car for several days, you get used to the system and click on the joystick almost without looking at the screen. I did not like only the confused memorization of radio stations. The lever of the new, this time already six -speed, the machine gun also became a joystick and migrated exactly to the place of the wiper -cleaners lever, which, in turn, moved down. In fact, there are no levers here at all. Of course, you get used to managing the non -fixed inclinants of wipers and turn signals, it is only not clear why all this is needed. Do not be surprised if you suddenly see one of the latest BMW models that have fun flashing with your left or right turning point, and do not consider the driver a kettle, he just is not used to the steering wheel switch. The claims are ending on this. The landing is almost perfect, and the seats are just a masterpiece. True, the leather torpedo is only an option, and double glass lost the air gap and lost part of the heat and noise-insulating properties. 
The engine of this 750th has the volume of only 4.8 liters and eight cylinders. Now this is not the coolest seventh series. The option with V12 with a volume of 6 liters has an index 760. However, the car that has been on our test does not force much to be desired. The dynamics is noticeably better than that of the predecessors, both accelerated and brake. Despite the largest mass, E66 is perceived as the lightest in our trinity a car with the hardest suspension. But at the same time, the most comfortable seven amazingly smoothes irregularities, like an iron. Thanks to active stabilizers, the rolls are practically absent even in comfortable suspension mode. But the sports regime is suitable only for good roads shakes pretty. 
Mindful that we have a long -bind modification, we make a trip in the back seat. The scope is almost royal, however, if you are not higher than 180 cm, otherwise you can support your head with the ceiling. Only the seats of the second row are tangibly tougher than the front ones, and, despite the almost the same number of adjustments, are perceived as less comfortable. And the smoothness of the course, which seemed excellent from behind the steering wheel, does not seem so sinless behind. Still, the slogan with pleasure driving is applicable to the representative BMW, even if it is a long-standing modification, and behind the owner can only go occasionally when it requires the rules of business.
There are rumors that the design of the fifth generation of the seventh series, which will appear next year, will return to the previous forms, you will again include the company’s customers who are dissatisfied with Chris Bangl, and recently acquired fans will not go anywhere, as they have already hooked on a drug called BMW.
The landing is almost perfect, and the seats are just a masterpiece. True, the leather torpedo is only an option.
Chris Bangle created a new image of the seventh series. The long -drawn option received its own index.
Engine
Type gasoline, v8
Working volume, cm3 4799
Max. Power, l. With. at about./min 367/6300
Max. moment, nm at about./min 490/3400
Dynamics
Maximum speed, km/h 250
Acceleration 0100 km/h, from 6.0
common data
Fuel consumption (EU), l/100 km, city 16.9
Fuel consumption (EU), l/100 km, mixed 11.4
Fuel tank volume, l 88
Wheel base, mm 3128
Length, mm 5179
Width, mm 1902
Height, mm 1491
Diameter of the turn, m n/d
Clearance, mm n/d
A mass of equipment./Poln, kg 2025/2530
Price, $ from 55 000142 000
There will be no epilogue Technological monster, engineering masterpiece: ahead of time, above condemnation, on a short leg with space. Two tons of pleasure for difficult non -poor, without false modesty. The seven figure of the pagan deity of the force that demiurges constantly seek in the block with complexity tooth of common sense. Everyone is their own.
The engineering and technological potential of the BMW flagship at any time for growth. The car does not look ancient after twenty years: it does not drag the seeds of technical or ergonomic solutions that have dried up during the path to the state of constructive artifacts. And this is the lot of units. Each seven BMW upper edge of the cut of the automotive culture of its decade. The first to see a new car of this series means touching the future with the fingers of an outstretched arm. Guess the contours of the one that is in work, feel its volume.
New Introduction: the new BMW seven is waiting in 2009
Creators do not like to be peeping! We will not disturb them: we will only fantasize about how the appearance of the new Bavarian flagship will be, relying on the experience of design specialists. You can also dream about its manners: testers are already wrapping test kilometers, creating our future ideas about how the representative sedan should be controlled.
Text Dmitry Zaitsev
Photo Alexander Nozdrin
Source: Cars
