BMW 750e | Review

Luxury saloons like the BMW 7 Series are embroiled in a constant battle for innovation as their makers seek to produce the most innovative and technology-laden models to showcase the very best of their engineering expertise.

Each generation of 7 Series aims to supersede its peers - the Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class – with more of everything. More power, more efficiency, more features and, most crucially, more luxury.

The latest 7 Series is the newest of the trio. It’s also the biggest, with a larger footprint and intimidating road presence.

When it comes to powertrain technology, the 7 Series has both its rivals licked. It has ditched diesel and pure petrol, so there’s the fully electric i7 or a choice of two plug-in hybrids.

This review is focused on the 750e, which is the entry-level model. It uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine mated with an electrified eight-speed transmission.

There’s also an 18.7kWh battery, giving the 750e a zero-emission driving range of almost 50 miles.

Total power output is 489PS, with 700Nm of torque, giving the 750e incredible performance. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes less than five seconds and the car’s top speed is 155mph.

The 750e’s powertrain isn’t just a performance powerhouse, though. It’s also incredibly smooth. If used for chauffeuring, the silent electric-only operation brings enhanced passenger comfort and refinement. Depending on operating mode and battery charge level, the 750e can achieve upwards of 40mpg on longer runs and electric-only drives of around 40 miles.

We found the system most effective in ‘hybrid’ mode. Here it makes use of the available battery charge at lower speeds and then switches the engine on at higher speeds. With a 65-litre fuel tank on board, and a full charge, the car has a theoretical range of 600 miles.

Standard fit air suspension provides a supple ride, while the xDrive all-wheel-drive system delivers confidence and reassurance in all driving conditions.

There’s a dynamic edge to the 750e, too. The power delivery from the six-cylinder engine can become addictive as it carries the 2.5-tonne saloon effortlessly. You can also switch the suspension to a firmer setting for quicker cornering.

While driver engagement is important, it’s the passenger experience that is most relevant in cars like the 7 Series and we’re pleased to say it doesn’t disappoint. BMW has gone all-in on technology. There are touchscreen control panels in both rear doors, giving occupants access to the media, climate and seat settings.

Then there’s the BMW Theatre Screen – a 31.3-inch display that electrically folds down from the roof. It’s combined with rear sunblinds which electrically close when the screen is deployed to provide an immersive experience. The screen uses Amazon Fire TV and also has HDMI inputs for external devices.

Elsewhere, the leather is soft and supple, the seats are incredibly comfortable and on-board refinement is top-tier.

Boot space is also impressive, for a plug-in hybrid. There’s a 525-litre capacity in the BMW, while the A8 and S-Class equivalents both offer less than 400 litres.

While BMW’s tech-focus is impressive, there are some elements that can frustrate a driver. The iDrive infotainment system is BMW’s latest and is shared with a wide range of models. It integrates the climate settings and numerous other functions, all of which can be controlled via the touchscreen or the central rotary control. For the latest generation the system has become more fiddly to navigate than before and using the rotary control is less intuitive than we’d like.

There are fewer shortcut buttons too, so accessing the hybrid powertrain settings, for example, is buried in the car settings rather than being a physical switch.

Prices for the 750e start at £101,765 but can rise quite quickly once you start applying optional equipment. Our M Sport Test model had an on-the-price of more than £130,000, albeit very well equipped.

The Audi A8 TFSIe can be had for cheaper, but is now an ageing model and has a shorter electric-only range. Mercedes wants more for its S 450e, which starts at £110,720.

The S Class has the longest electric range, at 62 miles, but is the least powerful model and has the smallest boot.

So, BMW is currently the luxury segment leader with its impressive 750e. It has the most technology, the most performance and the most space. It’s also the cheapest for fleets, with running costs of 98p per mile (the Audi and Mercedes both exceed £1 per mile) and it has the lowest company car tax of the three.