Introduced at the end of 2001, the new BMW 7 series was a radical departure in styling terms from what most people had come to expect from BMW. In recent years BMW had been criticised for making their range of cars too similar. A phrase I heard was that the 3, 5 and 7 series were made with the same "cookie cutter" only in different sizes! Personally I felt the criticism was a little unfair as while the 3, 5 and the 7 did look similar, they happened to look great as well! I thought it was a bit like complaining that a beautiful woman's sisters were boring because they were good looking too! BMW had hit on a good formula and were sticking to it.
BMW nonetheless were stung by the suggestion their cars looked boring, so they went and hired American designer Chris Bangle. Bangle had previously worked for Fiat where he had penned the odd looking Fiat Coupe. This was a love it or hate it car, and I was not too crazy about it myself. Bangle decided to radically redesign the new 7 and the car seen here is the result. Initially I hated it, and I was concerned that he would make a mess of his next project, the new 5 series, as the 5 is one of my favourite cars and I have one myself. But apart from the ugly headlights (which are also growing on me!) I think it is actually a handsome imposing car. The real ones I've seen to date have huge road presence and have terrific performance too.
Apparently it has been the fastest selling 7 series so far in it's first 6 months on sale, so it seems BMW's and Bangle's gamble has paid off.
It is also packed with electronic goodies and a complicated "i-Drive" system operated by a mouse wheel on the drivers armrest. This centralizes many control such as the entertainment system, navigation system and so on into one unit operated by the armrest wheel that works a central screen. There is no gear lever, the automatic gearbox (there is no manual option) being worked via a tiny lever on the steering column, and no handbrake lever either (the parking brake is completely electrical in it's operation).
Engines available at launch were a 3.5 litre and 4.4 litre V8, the 4.4 being the engine in this model shown here (the 745i). A 3.0 litre six is also available as will a new high output turbo-diesel engine. A V12 is the engine found in the range topping 760i. There is also a longer wheelbase option giving more rear legroom, and these models have an "L" at the end of their names (as in 745iL).
Kyosho make this superb model of the 745i. It is very well made with good paint and great detail. The interior is accurately replicated as is the large engine bay, complete with the 4.5 litre V8. All four doors, bonnet and boot open, and the interior including the boot are carpeted. If you like big saloons (or sedans in the US!) then this is a must have model for your collection.
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