BMW 740i (JP/R. Berto Wedhatama)

The cabin of this BMW model offers irresistible technology.

Large and elegant is the first impression that resonates from the BMW 740Li, but the big size is proven to pose no difficulty when it comes to parking.

During a test-drive event in Jakarta recently, manuvering in an underground parking area and lining up at the exit gate of a building could be done with ease. Its newly launched semi-automated driving feature known as Remote Control Parking technology allows drivers to control parking in a very limited and narrow space from outside the car.

The steering wheel area of the BMW 740Li offers comfort and delight with its adjustable seat to suit personal preferences and allows a very broad view. The fully digital LED instruments on the dashboard are also stylish and in different colors that suit the chosen driving modes. In the Eco Pro mode, for example, the instrument light will turn blue and will turn red for the Sport mode.

The monitor of the iDrive system now applies touch-display technology except for the AC control, which is located on a separate panel. The old feature called heads-up display is more sophisticated with much bigger viewing, allowing such information as speed, control check messages, telephone menus and radio frequencies to be projected at the driver’s eye level for effective concentration.

An interesting new feature is the BMW Gesture Control, which for the first time enables some functions like volume adjustment, radio frequency search and telephone call rejection to be operated with hand movements without touching the dashboard screens or panels. To raise the volume, the finger is pointed at the sensor with a clockwise circle gesture and to lower it the reverse movement is applied.

Auto start and stop engine functions also help save fuel and will automatically stop the engine when the car is caught in a jam or halted at traffic lights for quite a while and will start again as the foot releases the brake. For the first time the Adaptive mode can be used by pushing the Driving Experience Control. In this mode, the car will automatically adapt to the driver’s maneuvering practice and route covered.

Its Air Suspension and Dynamic Damper Control systems also maintain the car’s balance and comfort while driving.

On a toll road, as the car was set in Sport mode, within about 5.6 seconds it was running at more than 100 kilometers/hour, a high speed for such a large sedan. This new BMW 740Li now has an in-line six-cylinder engine of the new generation with a 2.9 liter capacity and steptronic eight-speed transmission, producing 326 HP and a peak torsion of 450 Nm that can be reached from 1,380 rpm.

When driving in the city at a speed of around 20km/hour, this car covered 8.5 km/liter, fairly impressive in the Eco Pro mode that surely coordinated efficient engine and transmission operation. The average speed of 100 km/hour on the toll road covering 14 km/liter was achieved in Sport mode, a normal rate under such acceleration.

The ignition switch with its keyless technology is appealing, it is the size of a computer mini mouse with a monitor displaying information and functioning as a remote control for turning on a fan or a lamp, besides the main function of locking and unlocking doors. As a versatile device, it is operated with a rechargeable battery by means of a USB cable.

A successor to the Grosse Baureihe or the big series, the BMW 740Li is indeed large, measuring 5.24 meters long and 2.17 m wide. Its grille, called the Active Kidney Grille, is unique with an air valve designed to open only when extra cooling is needed. Its headlamps are elongated to the grille and double round lamps typical of BMW are on the upper and lower sides with adaptive LED technology to follow the steering wheel’s direction, throwing light as far as 300 m complete with fog lamps.

With 19-inch rims, front and rear tires differ in width, respectively 245 milimeters and 275 mm. The difference is meant to guarantee optimal traction upon acceleration because this car adopts the rear-wheel drive system. The trunk door, rear bumper and tailpipe have chrome strips while reverse lights and brake lights all utilize LED lamps.

All seats are coated with high quality Nappa leather, with adjustable spacious positions. The middle console panel has a wooden frame. From the back seats, passengers can control various entertainment and information functions with the aid of a 7-inch tablet, just like the front passengers. The backs of the front seats also carry 10-inch monitors using touch screen technology for passengers’ convenience.

The left and right doors as well as the rear pane are furnished with curtains. The exclusive atmosphere is completed with a very personally arranged lighting design for ambient illumination to turn out interior lights with six colors to choose from the iDrive menu. Carpet welcome lights also separate entry and exit areas. The ceiling still has a two-part panorama pane and a Sky Lounge Panorama, emitting light on the pane to create a starlight effect with six color options.

This car also offers ambient air with air ion and interior fragrance functions and two aromas to be chosen, which can be controlled from the AC console or iDrive menu. For audio enjoyment, it boasts the BMW 740Li Pure Excellence. A Bower & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound system truly indulges listeners’ ears with an earphone-like sound and acoustic options, besides 16 speakers and 10 active channels with a 1400-watt output.

The car body is built from Carbon Core, a lightweight innovation, making it the first automobile combining industrially produced carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) with steel and aluminum. This body concept enhances strength and ruggedness while reducing its weight to 130 kilograms, which contributes to the big car’s efficient fuel consumption. Unsurprisingly, the sedan costs Rp 2.19 billion (US$165,015) off the road in Jakarta.

Assembled in the BMW Production Network 2 in Sunter, North Jakarta, this car seems to be specially designed for established individuals who give priority to comfort and luxury yet still wish to enjoy the dynamic sensation driving.

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