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ROOM AT THE TOP
Attach the word limousine to any car and it is easy to assume the best place to sit is in the rear.
There are a boot-load of other prejudices that go along with the tag too: ungainly looks, sluggish performance and worst of all, the w-word:
wedding car.
These arent the brand values that sell to high flying executives however, nor are they the kind of phrases you would associate with the
fine purveyors of good taste over at BMW.
Thankfully the 750Li neatly avoids all of those pitfalls. You can have the long wheelbase 7-Series with any of the engine options, but any
owner or driver knows that to really cut the mustard, a large capacity petrol engine is the only choice.
The 760Li tops the 7-Series tree, but at £18,000 less, the 750Li is a whisker behind it on acceleration, reaches the same 155mph limited
maximum yet offers 24mpg.
The 7 has never been a car to shy from the limelight: the original car courted controversy with its radical looks, while the 2005 redesign was
a subtler interpretation.
Arguably the long-wheelbase version is better looking than the standard saloon thanks to the increased length. The proportions are spot on and
the detailing impressive: time and the competition mean that the 7-Series is now familiar but still eye-catching.
The premium over the standard car is instantly apparent as soon as the rear door is opened. Legroom is predictably huge: the tallest people
could get comfortable, while everyone else can stretch out in comfort.
Opt for the entertainment package and theres even more reason to stay in the back: with your own screen, i-Drive controller and a DVD changer,
journeys can be despatched in the time it takes to watch Casino Royale.
True comfort requires more than just space and toys however, but the 750Li has got it all. The reassuring build quality and thump of a closed
door silences any noise, while the ride quality is taut but comfortable: suspension wallow or thump are not on the menu.
With the optional Adaptive Drive package the driver has the option of firming up the suspension for enthusiastic driving, but even then it
does not cross into uncomfortable.
To really appreciate its dual personality however, it is necessary to sample it from the drivers seat. At first the i-Drive controller may
seem complex, but with familiarity it becomes easy to navigate the vehicle systems which would otherwise swamp the dashboard with buttons.
Instead it is much simplified, with simple controls for climate control and a clear colour screen. The column-mounted automatic transmission
lever frees up more space too, leaving a large cubby between the seats.
The 4.8-litre V8 engine is refined, very smooth and flexible, and will happily cruise along in near-silence or rev smartly to the red line with
impressive speed.
The transmission is effortless, and with three modes including a manual mode operated by buttons on the steering wheel, it is rarely caught out.
This is where the 7-Series excels. It can perform the role of sedate cruiser without breaking sweat, wafting its occupants discreetly around
in comfort and style. Once theyve arrived however, a few button pushes turn it into something feeling much smaller, and that can hustle as a
proper BMW should.
It even makes for a fabulous MPV: nappy changing on the back seat is a breeze, and it even managed to swallow a new garden table that a
hatchback would have struggled with. Is there anything it cant do?
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Model: BMW 750Li, £64,535 on the road. 7-Series from £51,435
Engine: 4.8-litre petrol unit developing 362bhp and 360lb/ft of torque.
Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission as standard, driving rear
wheels.
Performance: Maximum speed 155mph, 0-62mph 5.9 seconds.
CO2 emissions: 272g/km.
Economy: 24.8mpg.
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