BMW 730d : THRIFTY THIRTY

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Is the top selling BMW 7 Series also the best? Steve Walker takes a look at the 730d.

The 730d is the BMW 7 Series in its most basic form but it's anything but basic. Strong performance and economy that's barely believable in a car of this size give it an edge over the competition and BMW has worked hard to make the formidable technology in the 7 Series more user-friendly.

As you can probably imagine, it's possible to really go to town when ordering a BMW 7-Series. A twin-turbo V8 engine, the long wheelbase body with its extended rear legroom, a night vision system that can spot dimly lit pedestrians, side view cameras so there's no need to crane your neck at junctions, it's all there and your friendly BMW dealer will be only too happy to let you have it. You could very easily spend a small fortune on this imperious motorcar but the fact is that most 7-Series customers won't. They'll get the entry-level 730d with moderately sensible specification. Despite what some of the more high-tech features might lead you to believe, the 7 Series is no concept car. It's designed primarily to sell and generate income for its manufacturer, so its advanced systems need to contribute to the usability and desirability of what must be a top end luxury saloon. BMW is looking to reaffirm connections with its target market after the previous generation 7 Series received a somewhat lukewarm response to aspects of its unorthodox styling and convoluted iDrive control interface. Revisions throughout that car's lifecycle smoothed out most of the sharp edges, allowing the supremely capable car beneath scope to shine through. Now, the latest 7 Series looks to develop that formula with evolutionary design supplemented by that raft of groundbreaking features. The 2,993cc common-rail injection diesel engine in the 730d is a classic bit of BMW engineering. Versions of it can be found as far down the manufacturer's line-up as the 3-Series but it's never felt out of place in the big 7. Using the straight-six cylinder configuration, it achieves 245bhp at 4,000rpm in the 7-Series and a monstrous 540Nm of torque which is more than the 740i manages with its V8. That this maximum torque is available all the way from 1,750rpm to 3,000rpm provides a sense of the 730d's flexibility and should owners become embroiled in a drag race with a spotty Herbert, the 7.2s 0-62mph time should be more than enough to see off his plastic-clad Corsa with its anti-social exhaust. The 730d doesn't require the services of BMW's 155mph speed limiter as it runs out of steam at still wildly superfluous 153mph.

"It's not merely the engine that makes the 730d's class-leading efficiency possibleâ€¦."

BMW's six-speed automatic gearbox is standard fitment on the 7 Series, as is the advanced Dynamic Driving Control system. This allows the driver to adapt the set-up of the car at will by flicking between Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport + modes as the fancy takes them. Even within these settings, the technology can adapt the car's steering, dampers, throttle response and gear shift speed according to the road conditions and the driver's style. The 7 Series uses double wishbone suspension at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear, underlining its sporting pretensions. Buyers wanting the ultimate in smoothness can opt for air suspension as well. There's nothing particularly ground breaking about the way the 7 Series looks. The exterior lines are clearly derived from the previous generation car with elements carried over from BMW's other current products. The kidney grille is more upright and pronounced shoulder lines run the length of the car, ultimately forming the raised centre section on the bonnet. Inside, there's more of the same with design features that BMW owners will be more than familiar with. Where the 7 Series really moves the game on is in terms of its technology with all kinds of innovations being made available to customers with the money to afford them. Amongst the highlights is night vision system that can detect and warn the driver if a pedestrian moves into the path of the vehicle. There's also a front side view camera system that activates cameras on the nose of the car to give the driver a better view at blind junctions. The Lane Departure Warning system monitors road markings and tells the driver if they wander out of their lane while the Speed Limit Warning System can actually read road signs and warn the driver if they exceed the speed limit. Anyone concerned about parking and manoeuvring the 7 Series in tight situations will be interested in the Integral Active Steering system that allows the rear wheels to steer by as much as 3 degrees. This has a big effect on the car's turning circle and significantly enhances manoeuvrability at low speeds while also improving the driving dynamics when the pace picks up. As you'd expect for around £55,000, the 730d comes in SE trim with a predictably vast haul of equipment and for a premium of around £3,000, there's also the option of a long wheelbase version. The choicest items are confined to the options list but with full leather trim, four-zone climate control, Xenon headlamps, satellite navigation, Bluetooth technology and voice control, owners of the basic model are unlikely to feel too hard done by. BMW's Dynamic Stability Control + system comes as standard on all 7 Series models. Bundled up in this package are innovations such as Hill-Start Assist, Brake drying and pretensioning, Soft-stop and Brake Fade Compensation which are all designed to enhance safety and maximise the smoothness which the 7 Series goes about its business. The Dynamic Traction Control can be activated by the driver to allow greater wheel slippage for sporty driving or to enhance performance on snow and ice. The reasons why most 7-Series customers will avoid the V8 petrol models and settle for a 730d centre around one thing - cost. The 730d is a two tonne luxury saloon but BMW has managed to eek out 39.2mpg and 192g/km CO2 emissions from it. These figures not only make it the most efficient and cost-effective 7-Series, they also leave BMW's luxury saloon rivals with a lot of ground to make up. It's not merely the engine that makes the 730d's class-leading efficiency possible. BMW's EfficientDynamics technology has set the standard in a market where every mainstream manufacturer is taking steps to maximise economy and lower emissions. The 7 Series benefits from the full EfficientDynamics package with key body panels fabricated from aluminium to save weight and Brake Energy Regeneration using energy that would have been lost under braking or on the overrun to recharge the car's battery. How do you cram a car with groundbreaking technology, make it distinctive and avoid alienating buyers in what is arguably the most conservative sector of the car market? That's the balance that BMW has been searching for with its 7 Series over recent years. The latest 730d looks tantalisingly close to getting it right. The technology is most definitely there but it's retreated behind an accessible driver interface and styling that's elegant but not extrovert. The package is then powered by an engine that achieves the necessary performance coupled with running costs that will persuade many of the luxury saloon's continued viability. In fact, it's hard to argue against BMW's 3.0-litre diesel engine. It's one of the finest powerplants of our time and will be a valuable weapon for the current 7 Series as it battles the Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: BMW 730d
PRICE: £53,730-£56,790 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 17
CO2 EMISSIONS: 192g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 7.2secs/ 153mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [730d] (urban) 27.9mpg / (extra urban) 47.9mpg/ (combined) 39.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, head and side airbags, ABS,DSC+,DTC
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 5072/2314/1488