The 2009 BMW 750i: King Of Luxury Autos
BMW has done it agai: it has managed to create a new luxury car masterpiece that is unrivaled in its class. The 2009 BMW 750i and its big brother 750iL are both unlike anything that has scorched the pavement in recent memory.
Of all the luxury autos on the market, BMW has always been a forerunner along with the likes of its German counterpart Mercedes-Benz and even Rolls Royce. Yet the 750i has everything to offer that you could ever have dreamed about, from night vision motion detectors to massaging seats. But perhaps the most important feature of this five-passenger sedan is its engine–a 32-valve 4.4 liter V8 turbocharged powerhouse that goes 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds flat. It comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission with a manumatic shifting option, meaning that manual shifting can be simulated, but without the clutch naturally. But don’t expect this sexy beast to be fuel efficient–it averages 15 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
The length of the BMW 750i is just short of 200 inches while the width is 75 inches. The 750iL differs in that is 5.5 inches longer and thus has more legroom for rear passengers. Not that there wasn’t plenty of room to begin with at around 39 inches. The rest of the car for all intents and purposes is the same.
Inside you have all the comforts of home and then some to enhance your driving experience, way beyond expectations. The intuitive iDrive control is used to adjust the settings of the bells and whistles, like the stereo and the onboard navigation system. All the gauges are easy to read with crisp lettering and indicators. But the one feature that goes over the top is the heated steering wheel–very handy in the dead of winter.
While driving along there’s some very nifty optional tools to assist you at your disposal. Cameras hidden in the bumpers can guide you when backing up or turning round a corner. An optical sensor detects whether you are straying from your lane and makes the steering wheel pulsate to alert you. And if you’re driving late at night with the high-beams on, the headlamps will dim automatically if a car is approaching from the opposite direction.
As can be expected, the 750i handles magnificently. There are four Driving Dynamics Control settings to choose from, depending on how smooth or tight you want the handling to be. Motor Trend comments on the steering mechanism of the 750iL:
The new, optionally available Integral Active Steering, a first in the car’s class, adds rear-wheel steering to the previously available variable-ratio front steering. At slow speeds, the wheels turn opposite to the front wheels to help negotiate tight spots, while at higher speeds they’ll turn along with the fronts for improved directional stability.
But to savor this nugget of luxury you’re going to have to pay a fantastic price: around $81,125 as the starting price for the 750i and as much as $112,000 for the 750iL, fully loaded. Regardless, with little argument the 750i is among the best luxury cars on the market. Too bad it costs so much.
Related posts:
