INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH
BMW’s new 7 Series ups the luxury stakes
Motor News travelled to Portugal to drive BMW’s updated flagship sedan
When buying a true executive car, top of the list remains the three German sedans. The Audi A8 has fallen behind in popularity and a new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is coming in 2020, so BMW looks like it is in a pole position with its 7 Series, the updated version of which we just drove in Portugal and which will arrive in SA in late May or early June 2019. “It represents our brand like no other,” Rainer Thoma, head of project 7 Series, told us. “It’s our flagship.” All the models will be long wheelbase versions, providing rear seat occupants with up to a huge 1,127mm of legroom to stretch out in while planning that next board meeting. The grille, which totally dominates the new frontal design, has seen the bonnet lifted by 50mm. Some will like its increased presence; after all, styling is a subjective thing. The changes have come about because BMW sold 44% of its 7 Series models in Asia in 2018 and the Chinese wanted a bolder front end in order for it to provide more status over the...
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