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AUTO REVIEW
more years or so. Which means that these haven't had the chance to drive it yet but twin turbo V8 that sits in the 750i. Rear
wonderfully torquey and character-filled will as soon as I can.) wheel drive is standard in both the 740i
engines will go away, replaced by some and 750i, and awd--“X-drive” in BMW
type of hybrid contraption that number- Looking a lot like the model it replaces, speak--is an option on the V8 car. Previ-
crunchers will love but enthusiasts like the new BMW flagship is arguably the ously, both short- and long-wheelbase 7-
me will probably hate. So get ‘em while most technologically advanced car on the series sedans were offered, but that's no
you can. road today. Naturally, many cool features longer the case and only the bigger cars are
like air suspension and in-car wifi come available now. Despite that reality, 2016
The most recent Diesel I tested was the standard, but there's much more includ- models are about 200 lbs lighter than last
2015 BMW 740d, the Diesel version of ing Perfume diffusers, a wireless phone generation cars thanks to the extensive use
the full size 7-series sedan. Powered by a charger, and Surround View camera-dri- of aluminum and carbon fiber.
255 HP twin-turbo 3.0 liter V6, the 740d ven parking assist system that apparently
is surprisingly quick, zipping from zero to blows away current “bird’s eye” systems. Diesel engines are wonderful things, in
60 MPH in less than six seconds. In fact, my humble opinion, but they are proba-
it feels even faster because of its mighty Inside the cabin, the coolest new tech bly not long for this world as passenger
413 ft-lbs of torque, which gives the big thing is gesture control for the audio sys- car powerplants. If you're curious, ask
BMW terrific oomph off the line. tem and climate control. Thankfully, all Phil Hornbeak to arrange a test drive in a
maneuvers you can accomplish with ges- car or SUV that has a Diesel. I'll bet you
Before the Germans began bringing ture control can also be done in the usual love it. And if you're in the market for a
Diesels back to the U.S. about eight years way, because, while again, I haven't driven full-size luxury sedan, don't overlook the
ago, I read an article in Car magazine the new 7 yet, I can't imagine using ges- all new BMW 7-Series.
from the U.K. where the author wrote tures to control anything when I'm by by
that he didn't understand why anybody myself, let alone when somebody else is in If you’re in the market for this kind of
would buy a Mercedes S-class that wasn't the car to ridicule me. vehicle, call Phil Hornbeak at 210-301-
Diesel powered. Now that I've driven the 4367 and take a look at the Subaru Legacy.
Diesel S-class, Porsche Cayenne Diesel, Ironically, the Diesel version of the new
and 740d I agree with him. Diesels’ great 7-series is not available now but is expected Steve Schutz, MD, is a
everyday performance combined with re- sometime in 2016, as is the 12 cylinder board-certified gastroen-
markable fuel efficiency and range are im- top-of-the-line 760i and even a plug-in hy- terologist who lived in San
pressive to experience. brid which couples an electric motor with Antonio in the 1990s
a four cylinder gasoline engine. when he was stationed
Since I tested the 740d, an all-new 7- here in the U.S. Air Force. He has been
series has launched, so I won't waste your Two carryover engines are currently of- writing auto reviews for San Antonio Med-
time discussing the old model and will fered in the 7, which launched in October: icine since 1995.
briefly preview the new “7” instead. (I the 320 HP 3.0 liter twin turbo V6 which
powers the 740i, and the 445 HP 4.0 liter
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