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AUTO REVIEW
2017 BMW 750i BySteveSchutz,MD
The battle of large import luxury sedans Mercedes models. Now those same high umm wait a sec, let me look at it again. OK,
heated up last year with the introduction demographic individuals are just as likely it’s there and is undoubtedly handsome, but
of the new 7-series BMW. BMW spent a — and maybe even more likely — to be wow is it unassuming.
lot of time and money making sure their driving an SUV. I regularly peruse my local
new flagship sedan had what it took to le- doctors’ parking lots and have noted the In fact, the BMW’s exterior design is more
gitimately compete with the class-leading rise of Range Rovers, Escalades, Cayennes, complicated and intricate than the big
Mercedes S-class, and after spending a et al, just as I’ve seen fewer sedans. Still, Merc’s, but you have to really look to even
week with it I can say that it does. let’s not forget that sedans, especially big notice that. Numerous character lines adorn
luxury sedans, are very pleasurable to drive the hood and flanks of the 7, tasteful chrome
I’ve been watching this battle with inter- and own. accents are everywhere, and the flowing
est since it began in earnest with the shape is as aerodynamic as it is beautiful.
launch of the second generation 7-series in Anyway, the new 750i is definitely gun-
1988, and it occurred to me as I drove ning for the Mercedes S-class, which was Whether understated elegance counts
BMW’s new “7” that maybe this competi- completely re-done just two years ago. While more than ostentatiousness is your call. For
tion doesn’t really matter anymore. It’ll al- the S-class is clearly going for a substantial the record though, buyers are going with
ways matter to some degree, of course, but and intimidating look, the big BMW is the Benz. So far in 2016 through July, the
no way does it matter as much as it used much more sleek and understated. Actually, scoreboard says 10,276 S-class sales versus
to. Think about it: in the 1980s, ‘90s, and you can get all the information you need 6,808 for the 7-series.
early 2000s people with money drove large about each car’s design just by looking at
luxurious sedans like the Lincoln Town their grilles. The one on the Mercedes is Inside, the 750i is every bit as techno-
Car, Lexus LS 400, and Jaguar XJ, in ad- huge and bright — move over now, it seems logically advanced as the Benz, and maybe
dition to the aforementioned BMW and to say — while the one on the 7-series is, more so. While everything in the new 7 is
exactly where you left it the last time you
sat in a modern Bimmer, it’s all been mas-
44 San Antonio Medicine • October 2016
