BMW Malaysia has just launched their latest flagship
limousine to the Malaysian market and will be offered as a locally assembled
BMW 740Le xDrive plug-in hybrid model from the onset. Thanks to Government Approved CKD
EEV Incentive and Excise Duty Reduction, the refreshed 7 Series is priced at
RM 594,800, significantly more competitive than its three-pointed star rival.
The 7 Series LCI or facelift in BMW speak, wears a
significantly more prominent face courtesy of the larger kidney grille with
active shutters and slimmer headlamps. As a result, the entire hood now sits 50
mm higher than the outgoing model. BMW says this new face is a result from
customers feedback wanting more road presence from their limousine.
At the rear, the new LED taillamps measure 35 mm
slimmer and are joined by a light strip to further give the 7 Series a distinct
look. With the LCI model, BMW has removed the front foglamps replaced by new
air curtains for better aerodynamics. The exterior changes combined, increased
the overall length by 23 mm while the wheelbase is unchanged at 3,210 mm. Our local spec 740Le xDrive is
dressed in the Design Pure Excellence exterior line identified by its
high-gloss chrome elements and sleek body kit. BMW Laserlight headlamps and
19-inch double-spoke style 630 Bicolour alloy wheels wrapped in mixed tyre
sizes of 245/45 front and 275/40 rear.
The interior is also equipped with the Design Pure
Excellence Line, furnished with Nappa Leather upholstery with fine-wood Poplar
Grain Grey fine-wood trim. Other luxurious touches on the 740Le xDrive include
Sport leather steering wheel, Panoramic glass roof with Sky Lounge, Heads-up
Display, powered tailgate, 460W 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system,
soft-close doors and powered roller sunblind.
The updated 7 Series now comes with the
latest-generation BMW Live Cockpit Professional 12.3-inch instrument cluster with
BMW Operating System 7.0 and BMW Navigation System Professional 10.25-inch
touchscreen infotainment system that now supports BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant
voice command system. Rear passengers will be entertained by the rear-seat entertainment
with two 10.0-inch touch screen monitors and massaging seats, all operated by
the 7.0-inch Touch Command tablet.
BMW purist will be happy to know that the refreshed
740Le xDrive is now equipped with a 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder
petrol engine, replacing the 2.0-litre four-cylinder of the outgoing model. The
in-line six combustion engine developing 286 hp and 450 Nm of twist is
supported by an eDrive electric motor with 113 hp and 265 Nm.
The combustion engine and electric motor give the
car a combined output of 394 hp and 600 Nm of torque driving all four wheels
via an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel-drive
system. To achieve the claimed century sprint time of 5.1 seconds, drivers
will have to engage Sport mode where the system’s electric boost function is
primed for maximum acceleration performance. Top speed on the luxury limousine
is 250 km/h. Under the rear seats is an improved lithium-ion battery pack that
allows the 740Le xDrive to cover up to 46 km on pure electric power with an
electric top speed of 140 km/h.
The 740Le xDrive also comes with the BMW Driving
Assistant Professional that bundles Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go
function, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Lane Keeping Assistant,
Front Collision Braking as well as steering and lane control assistant.
BMW Malaysia offers four colour options – Mineral
White, Black Sapphire, Bernina Grey and Imperial Blue along with two interior
themes – Black or Cognac. Every purchase of the BMW 740Le xDrive comes with a
5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service, 2-Years Tyre
Warranty Programme, BMW Roadside Assistance and BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App.
