Background: It’s not unusual for automakers to significantly spiff up a vehicle’s exterior and interior every four or five years. In fact, the practice is quite common as consumers’ tastes and needs change and grow while automotive technology changes and grows. What is noteworthy though is when a historically conservative outfit like Germany’s BMW radically tinkers with the styling of its prominent flagship sedan. The totally redesigned 2002 7-Series arrived in showrooms in late January after debuting at the Los Angeles Auto Show earlier that same month. This marks fourth-generation styling of BMW’s largest rear-wheel-drive sedan. The last redesign took place in 1995. It’s also chock full of the latest techno-gadgets and gizmos for those technophiles who can afford the $70,000 plus price tag.
This is one of the most technologically advanced vehicles on the road, which can be good or not-so-good depending on your point of view. The rear-wheel drive 7-Series of cars represents the largest sedan sold by BMW. The Series includes two models: the 745i and 745Li. The up-level 745Li has a larger wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) and slightly larger dimensions than the 745i. In addition to the 7-Series, BMW also markets the 3-Series (small sedans) and 5-Series (mid-size sedans). Rounding out the product mix is the X5 (SUV), Z-3 (sports coupe), M (two-door compact hatchback), M3 (two-door convertible) and M5 (performance sedan). Germany’s BMW of North America began selling cars in the United States in 1975 and the dealer group now numbers 341 strong.
Engine: Both 7-Series four-door sedans in 2002 are powered by a 4.4-liter, 32-valve, V-8 engine cranking out 325 horsepower. This engine is upgraded from last year with more horsepower and improved low-end torque for improved pickup. The 745i travels from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.9 seconds. Premium unleaded fuel is required to power this rocket and the tank holds a hefty 23.3 gallons of fuel.
Despite all the enhancements, fuel economy improves to 18 miles per gallon city and 26 m.p.g. highway; respectable numbers for a V-8 powertrain and 14 percent better than the 2001 figures. The engine is linked to the industry’s first mass-marketed six-speed automatic transmission. The folks at BMW have an uptuned V-12 engine in the works that will be introduced this fall for the 2003 model year.
Interior: Be sure to pay close attention to the BMW sales associate’s walk around prior to signing the ownership papers and driving off, otherwise you may never move out of the brightly lit showroom. No traditional ignition cylinder is present. To start the vehicle, the flat-headed portion of the key fob is placed into a dashboard receptacle. Once the brake is depressed a simple “push” of a start-stop button cranks the engine over. The same general procedure (except in reverse order) is used to shut the engine off. The steering column consists of four short stalks, two on each side, forming a spider-like design.
Each performs a function, the most important being the upper right-side appendage monitoring gear shifts. It’s important to note the connection between selector and transmission is electric, not mechanical. The arm must be gently moved forward and then tapped up for reverse and down for park; a system not intuitive to most drivers and needs some time to master. The three remaining column “legs” operate cruise control, wipers and turn signal functions. Headlights can be turned on and off by a more traditional dial found on the far left-side dashboard.
A button releasing the trunk lid is in the same area. The parking brake is also released by a button, rather than a foot pedal or hand lever. In between the front bucket seats is something unique to the 7-Series; a chrome, mouse-like dial (a computer mouse, not the small furry rodent) used to monitor radio, navigation and ventilation functions. The mouse rotates clockwise and counterclockwise, tilts and pushes down to carry out actions. A digital screen reflecting mouse commands works in tandem with the system and is found high atop the center dash. Pre-set stations can also be selected in more traditional ways via secondary radio controls on the steering wheel or from a dashboard toggle switch. Also between bucket seats in back of the mouse are two deep double-chamber storage bins, that double as rests.
Below the compact disc feeder are two flat pull-out drawers for stowing small items. The instrument panel includes two circular gauges, a left-side speedometer and right-side tachometer. Inside the left circle is a digital bar graph serving as a fuel gauge. In between the gauges are outside temperature and a digital clock readout. The five-passenger 7-Series includes comfortable and supportive leather seats. The Power driver’s seat moves 14 ways while the passenger must settle for 12.
Price: Our test drive 2002 745i had a suggested retail price of $67,850. Keep in mind BMW offers several option groups including the luxury seating package, convenience package, cold weather package and premium sound package. The bottom line of our Daily Herald test vehicle featuring a convenience package ($1,000), upgraded sound system ( $1,800) cold weather package ($1,100), rear side airbags ($550), power rear and side sunshades ($750), comfort front seats ($1,400), park distance control and $645 destination charge totaled $75,795.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 117.7 inches
Overall length: 198 inches
Overall height: 58.7 inches
Overall width: 74.9 inches
Weight: 4,376 pounds
Exterior: The all-new design seems more conformist than radical. The “C” pillar region behind the back side windows is now more rounded, creating a silhouette shared by all too many vehicles. The rear window is relatively square and the trunk lid is raised higher than previous editions. The front includes BMW’s two chambered grille with vertical slats and chrome trim. The circular blue and while logo is embossed into the hood above where the chambers meet.
Four rounded headlights with bright outboard Xenon low and high beams (with integrated turn signal) and inboard halogen high beams, are housed in a clear, transparent, plastic-like material that wraps around to the fenders. Strap-like door handles and power rear mirrors are body colored. When pushing the key fob to unlock the doors, the handle regions light up at night; a nice touch. A body-on-frame structure is incorporated with a unitized all-steel structure save for the aluminum hood and front fenders. To enhance handling, 18-inch wheels with a double-spoke design and all-season tires are standard and 19-inch tires optional.
Safety features: As one would expect, the top-of-the-line 7-Series has all of the top-of-the-line safety nuances one expects. All models include dual–stage front air bags, front seat head protection system, front seat side impact air bags, central locking center with anti-theft alarm, remote keyless entry, automatic height-adjusting safety belts, active knee protection and dynamic stability control featuring traction control and anti-lock brakes. Optional is break-resistant glass along with a next-generation front and rear seat head protection and rear seat side air bags. For extra peace of mind, active cruise control, which keeps a safe distance between you and the cars in front of or behind you by automatically slowing or speeding up the car when in cruise control mode, is also available for an extra charge.
Warranty: The 7-Series includes a four-year/50,000 mile (whichever comes first) powertrain warranty. The basic warranty and roadside assistance program are also covered for four-years or 50,000 miles. The corrosion/rust warranty is good for six years with unlimited mile restrictions.
Final thoughts: Maybe in some ways the new, new economy and technology in general have simply passed this 41 year old, over-the-hill techno-neophyte by. I found some of these 7-Series gadgets non-intuitive and, at times, confusing to operate. So I put the 7-Series to a small, non-scientific test. I arranged for a college-aged valet working at a posh downtown hotel, who by all visual accounts was well mannered and seemed well educated, to park the car. Since the unsuspecting subject was twenty-something, he had all the advantages of growing up with such advances as TV remote control, where as I had to maneuver my sorry body to the TV and manually turn the channel selector to switch from reruns of “Gilligan’s Island” to “Get Smart.”
Anyway, the unsuspecting valet was unable to move the electronic gear shift from park to drive after about 60 seconds. As more hotel guests began to show up looking for parking assistance, I rescued the poor lad, providing quick instructions for the shifting tutorial. After a certain point, technology has the potential to become more a hindrance than assistance.
The transmission gear shift is relatively easy to operate once you practice the touch pattern, but I can visualize a scenario where the small stalk could be damaged by an unsuspecting guest driver tugging too hard trying to “shift” the stalk in gear. But once the car is in motion, the powerful engine is eerily quiet and the ride as smooth as any 7-Series prior to this one. Automatic ride stabilization and continuously adjustable electronic damper control help keep drivers in place during the sharpest turns while road bumps are quickly smoothed over. This vehicle is one that must be test driven extensively before purchasing. |
