About four years after the introduction of the last generation BMW 7 series, a new version of the premium model has been unveiled in Nigeria with a complete facelift, courtesy of Coscharis Motors.
The new BMW 7 series was presented to motoring journalists in Lagos last Thursday.
The release of the new vehicle to the Nigerian market in December may be symbolic, coming at a time many are preparing for Christmas and end of the year's shopping.
President, Coscharis Group, Chief Cosmas Maduka, was represented by the Group General Manager, BMW, Mr. Sola Adigun at the brief presentation ceremony held at the prestigious Federal Palace Hotel.
He described the 7 series, often referred to as the flagship of the BMW family, as the epitome of luxury.
He said the vehicle "represents the best the BMW brand has to offer; exclusive manufacturing makes it something special and claims a sustainable long term leadership in the premium segment."
The new model, according to him, embodies sporting elegance, refined powertrain technology and luxurious comfort in equal measure.
The Cosharis boss said the introduction of the new BMW 7 series with the inauguration of its sprawling Lekki office was no mere coincidence but a peep into the future of the company in its chosen sector of operation.
He said, the two were "part of our drive to incessantly reinvent the company and our BMW brand's portfolio; we are showing that we have the potential to continue exploiting the high value-added auto sector."
Edmund and Consumer Guide are famous for their objective reviews of automobiles. They and others dropped the following comments on the new BMW 7 series.
Edmund says, "As BMW's flagship, the 7 Series presents the automaker's leading edge of luxury, comfort and technology. Supple leather and rich wood accents adorn almost every surface, and the available 14-way adjustable front seats ensure comfort for virtually any body type."
Consumer Guide notes that plenty of headroom and legroom is available even for the lankiest occupants.
"The driver seat can be fitted with ventilation, adjustable thigh support, and an articulating back rest," it adds.
The vehicle, to car.com, is the executive car of choice, "allowing busy CEOs a space to decompress between board meetings. Perhaps there are enough of these power brokers in the US as well."
Another review, automobile magazine.com says, "The centerpiece of the 7-series' user interface is, of course, its iDrive controller. Thankfully, the old iDrive's menu structures have been ditched completely, replaced by a new, much more user-friendly menu structure."
Exterior
The new BMW 7 Series is a timeless elegance and contemporary innovation, a true luxury filled with heritage, craftsmanship, passion and emotion.
Experts, including online reviewer, thecarconnection.com feel there is a lot to like about the current fifth generation of the 7-Series.
For instance, the good amount of wedge to the shape (always hard to achieve in a long flagship), more kick in its tail, and with the long-wheelbase version, another 5.5 inches of rear-seat legroom.
Interior
Reviewers praise the 2012 BMW 7-Series with its roomy cabin and high-quality materials.
The vehicle is equipped with a suite of cabin tech comprising standard Bluetooth, navigation, iPod/USB connection and a 10-speaker stereo.
Many test drivers are also pleased that BMW's iDrive, which controls navigation and entertainment settings, has become easier to use than it was in previous models, according to The Best Car, an auto segment of the US Ranking and Review.
Safety
The 2012 BMW 7-Series has a good track record for safety plus one of the best rosters of safety gear, says thecarconnection.com.
It also says every 7-Series gets standard front, side, and side-curtain airbags; rear-seat side airbags; front-seat active head restraints; and knee airbags.
Other safety features are standard anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control.
Like all BMW models, the new 7 series equipped with a rear-view camera, a front-view 180-degree camera, and parking sensors to assist drivers in keeping the vehicle clear of parking-lot trouble.
Engine/performance
The manufacturer offers three engines in the BMW 7-Series for 2012/2013.
In 740i and 740Li models, a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine puts 315 horsepower to the rear wheels. Power is routed through a six-speed automatic transmission that features a manual shift mode. While the 740i is a six-cylinder car in a class packed full of V8s.
BMW 7-Series owners can tailor their driving experience with the Driving Dynamics Control system, which allows users to adjust their suspension and steering with Comfort, Normal, and Sport settings.
Price
The vehicle, according to Adigun, will be available from N22m, as the price will depend on the option/trim.
