New BMW is possibly world's best

A brilliant car, possibly a world’s best. From a stable that produces more thoroughbreds than Coolmore, the new 7-series can push BMW right to the top of the premium segment of the market. And keep it there for years to come.

We thought the Mercedes S-Class set new parameters for the top bracket. As it certainly did. And we never truly expected others to match these advances for some considerable time. We were wrong. The BMW 7-series has bounced back to set new benchmarks in areas we hadn’t thought possible.

BMW designers are strong on lateral thought. And they showed us just how profound they could be on a recent call to their holy of holies Research and Technology Centre in Munich. Indeed, the ‘factory’ visit, broken up into a seven station briefing exercise on the constituent parts of the new BMW, had an almost religious undertone. Some of us, though filled with fervour, even nodded off at the last station. For our group, that last station was the style module.

All this was a small price to pay for what was essentially a very rewarding experience. We were briefed by the design, style, acoustic, engine, chassis, comfort and safety gurus behind the 7’s amazing transformation. Amongst a very select band of motoring journalists, we were also the first to see the new 7-series in the metal. How engaging, how powerful, how dynamic and how distinctive she looked - even in a static display. The first test-drives don't begin until October with Irish and other right hand drive market launches scheduled for next Easter.

Photographs don’t do the 7-series justice. The style, a blend of luxury limousine and sporty coupé, is potent. Large 18 and 19-inch Pirelli and Michelin-shod wheels look powerful and imposing. The round golden eagle eye front lamps are in-yer-face. The interior is elegant, luxurious, sophisticated and hugely innovative. The V8 engines, quieter, more refined, more economical and more potent are all-new. The six-speed transmission is a world first. And the dynamic drive with its perfect agility and comfort mix has to be seen to be believed.

As always, the gizmo attraction is magnetic. Expecting banks of dials, buttons, toggles and switches to match the S-Classes’ spaceship cabin, we feel pretty short-changed with the miserable twelve controls on 7-series dash. Also missing are the handbrake, a floor-set gearlever and an ‘as we know it’ ignition system. Call this progress. Gee lads, a 1952 BMW sported more gadget controls than this.

The answer is in BMW's new iDrive system. A new display and operating concept, it is as intriguing as it is innovative. The basic functions most significant for motoring and traffic safety - indicators, screenwiper, cruise control, and the automatic transmission - have been moved to the immediate vicinity of the driver, with all driving functions directly around the steering wheel. Basic functions frequently required and also requiring rapid access are on the second level provided by conventional switches and rotary knobs positioned on the instrument panel. These include the light switches and the automatic air conditioning with its temperature setting.

Less frequently required comfort and communication functions which could necessitate another, mind-blowing, 700 controls are housed in a new control and display concept which consists of a dash-mounted, eye-level monitor and the controller, a large aluminium knob located at the front-end of the centre armrest.

Pushing, pulling, turning and pressing down the controller knob to the front or rear, to the right and left, or in the four diagonal directions - the driver or front seat passenger can access and activate 8 function areas. Communication, climate control, entertainment, and navigation are located in the four main directions, north, south, east and west. Less used functions vehicle, configuration, and help functions are found in the diagonal directions.

The 'missing' ignition system has been relocated into the instrument panel. Similar to the system used by Renault on the Laguna - and by BMW on the Z8, it consists of a slot for the smooth electronic key and a start/stop button. A key with a difference, it 'recognises' the respective driver and automatically activates any particular settings he/she or the passenger may have chosen in advance. The 'key' also houses the remote controls, the immobiliser transponder, a self-charging battery and a removable emergency key.

Like a floppy disk with its own search engine, the 'key' gathers information from strategically placed sensors throughout the car. Plugged into a diagnostic machine at the local dealers, or eventually linked to him via satellite, it'll tell what parts need repair work or replacing and when the next service is necessary. It can even relay information on start-up time, distance and speed travelled. Hope big brother isn't watching. Brought to a logical conclusion, this 'key' could yet prove to be a nasty surveillance weapon in the state's 'fight' against the erring motorist.

The handbrake, a finger-operated button on the dash, is a marvel. Park on a hill; press the button and the 7-series sticks to the tarmac like glue. Press it at start-up, and there's no backward slippage. As an emergency braking system, it works incredibly well - even in the wet. Unless steered by the driver to the left or right, braking is always straight line. Its predecessor would perform a 180-degree turn under similar conditions.

Gizmos we liked the most included the automatic open and close buttons on the boot. It houses four sets of the larger, Japanese-sized golf clubs laterally.

Tailor-made seats that can adjust to fit your spinal curvature or transform themselves into body-hugging sports seats were also amazingly impressive. Those up front come with ten adjustment settings plus three more for comfort. Rear seats have 7 adjustments plus two comfort settings. Headrests are also adjustable. Should a passenger feel like sleeping, the head restraints can adjust and secure his/her head in an upright position - reducing the risk of injury in a crash situation.

What'll be standard and what'll be optional for the Irish market isn't clear. And prices are a long way from been settled. However, given our 'out of kilter' tax regime, you can expect an increase of at least six percent on the present models. Other more fortunate countries are looking at a three- percent hike on similar models.