BMW 7 Series is bigger than ever.
For those wanting a 100 square meters modern “schloss” on wheels, BMW redefines the concept of exclusive, uber-luxurious driving experience. Adrian van Hooydonk explains.
Well-traveled business people spending half of their life on the roads can only be ecstatic seeing so much sophisticated carbon-fibre-reinforced space packed with ground-breaking technology. With just the wave of the hand, you can control vehicle’s infotainment system. Drivers can also manoeuvre in and out of parking spaces without anyone at the wheel of the new 2016 BMW 7 series. The owners control the car via their BMW Display Key. Add to this “wireless phone charging, active massaging seats, WiFi browsing and a removable 7-inch touchpad that can control functions from in or outside the vehicle.” 7-series’ reputation for performance and handling is complemented here with cutting edge technology and materials.
“This generation of the BMW 7 Series is the most luxurious, most comfortable and – all round – the best car we have ever built in this class,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW’s Head of Design while presenting the new luxury sedan from BMW’s stable. The car is, indeed, a generous office combining driving pleasure and long-distance comfort.
“Luxury definition is offering the customer more than she or he expects. And in a luxury car is a combination of traditional elements like perfect fit and finish, craftsmanship, fantastic materials, and also new things like high-tech elements, inteligence, and a certain warmth and confort,” explained van Hooydonk in the video above.
Adrian van Hooydonk‘s 23-years work at BMW is impressive. The list of attributed automotive designs include BMW 5-Series (2010), 6-Series, 7-Series (2001), X3, X5, Z9 (1999), Mini ACV30 (1997), and so on. As head of BMW Group Design he also oversees the design work of Mini and Rolls-Royce.
“Spending time in a car for 7-series clients is a relaxing experience, but maybe they also want to work in the car,” continues van Hooydonk. “We want to offer customers the opportunity to make the time that they spend in the car quality time. We spend a lot of time and attention on increasing the comfort and all aspects of the car, whether it is seat comfort, ride comfort, acoustic comfort, and also things you can do and experience.”
Sitting in the back of the new 7-series you are surrounded by high-tech rear-seat entertainment system with BMW Touch Command, a touchpad that can be pulled out and with which the passenger can operate all the ambient controls or it can be used to navigate the internet from the comfort of the rear seats.
For levels of comfort a class apart, BMW is offering the optional Executive Lounge with Automatic air conditioning, adjustable comfort seats with massage function, active seat ventilation, plus the optional Executive Lounge Seating, and Executive Lounge rear console. Another great addition is the massage function with a new Vitality Programme used for recuperation purposes. Relaxation is one of BMW’s 7 series Executive Lounge’s mantras.
The rear passenger’s seat can unwind thanks to a backrest which can recline close to the horizontal position. The luxury automotive Lounge rear console is equipped with a fold-out table, cupholders and Touch Command system. Pretty impressive!
7-series new lighting design is also worth mentioning. The design team has introduced the Welcome Light Carpet – a distinctive illumination of the area around the car doors. The long-wheelbase versions of the new BMW 7 Series will come with Ambient highlight from light sources positioned vertically on the B- pillars. A Sky Lounge Panorama glass roof with side-mounted LED modules will mimic a starry sky, while The Ambient Air package will ionize the air and generate a selection of eight fragrances. Add to these impressive features the newly developed Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system specifically tuned to the interior of the new BMW 7 Series.
From the development of BMW i cars, 2016 BMW 7-series borrowed a body structure with Carbon Core, an innovation reducing weight by as much as 130 kilograms. BMW eDrive technology is also present thanks to the addition to the model range of the BMW 740e plug-in hybrid model.
