By: Denis Droppa
Johannesburg - BMW's flagship sedan, the 7 Series, is now available with optional remote control parking in South Africa.
Although most red-blooded drivers wouldn't admit to any deficiencies in their parking ability, the new feature comes in handy in tight parking spaces that are too narrow for passengers to enter and exit the vehicle without risk of bashing the doors.
It's the world’s first series-produced car that enables owners to manoeuvre in or out of forward-parking spaces or garages without anyone at the wheel. It allows the driver to stand outside the car and guide it into a parking space using only the high-tech BMW Display Key. Proximity sensors ensure the 7 Series drives itself safely into the bay without colliding with anything.
undefinedThe self-parking option is priced at R7900 and adds to the plethora of high-tech gadgets already available in the latest 7 Series, which was launched in South Africa in January. The luxury German sedan was introduced with a number of innovations, including gesture control which allows certain functions - for instance the radio volume - to be controlled by hand movements instead of touching a button.
With the aid of a ceiling-mounted sensor that tracks hand movements, twirling your finger clockwise in the air raises the audio volume and counter-clockwise reduces it; and swiping your hand left or right answers or rejects an incoming phone call.
Wireless charging and other smart new features
Along with a central screen which is now touch-operated, the new Seven has an enhanced user interface which offers several ways to access the various infotainment functions including voice activation and the traditional iDrive knob. Also as a new feature, a smartphone holder in the centre console allows a mobile phone to be charged wirelessly for the first time in a BMW.
The rear seats, where many chauffeur-driven execs will spend most of their time, also lay on the luxury and high-tech. In the long-wheelbase 7 Series with the Executive Lounge option pack fitted, rear passengers can fully stretch their legs and perch them on a footrest built into the front passenger seat, getting the full lazyboy experience.
With the Executive Lounge pack the ventilated rear seats have adjustable backrests and offer several massage programmes, and it's all controlled by a tablet mounted in a smart-looking brushed-metal console between the two rear seats. The tablet, which is detachable, also controls the window shades, sunroof, and entertainment system.
A touch of glamour in long-wheelbase versions is a Sky Lounge Panorama glass roof which at night projects a starry sky onto the glass surface. The light show continues with a 'Welcome Light Carpet' that illuminates a path to the car doors.
Laser lights, which made their world premiere in the BMW i8 and with a range of 600 metres are double that of LED headlamps, are available as an option.
Expanded range coming, with new flagship
The 7 Series range will be expanded in October with the launch of the 740e iPerformance plug-in hybrid derivative, and in January 2017 with the range-topping M760Li xDrive. Yes, an M badge for a 7 series, but it's justified by its 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 engine which musters a monstrous 448kW of power and 800Nm of torque. Combined with all-wheel drive traction, the big barge is claimed to be capable of a 0-100km/h sprint in just 3.7 seconds.
ConnectedDrive Store
BMW South Africa will launch a newly revised BMW ConnectedDrive Store from September 2016. The BMW ConnectedDrive Store will allow customers to view existing services and apps they currently have in their vehicles and also add or buy new BMW ConnectedDrive Service & Apps features. The store will be an extension to the current BMW ConnectedDrive Portal (www.bmwconnecteddrive.co.za) to allow further personalisation.
ConnectedDrive Services is a standard feature in every BMW sold in SA. Using a factory-fitted simcard installed in the vehicle, it allows owners to use numerous services and apps from a range of categories including travel, office and entertainment.