Exploring the BMW 7-Series in W. Java<\/p>\n
Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Bandung<\/p>\n
The completion of the Cipularang toll road -- connecting Bandung
\nand Jakarta via Purwakarta and Padalarang -- does not only
\nshorten the trip between the two cities, but encourages more
\nJakartans to head to the West Java capital for the weekend.<\/p>\n
Bandung has much to offer visitors, ranging from factory
\noutlets to famous restaurants.<\/p>\n
There are also tourism spots, such as the strawberry
\nplantation in Patenggang, south of Bandung and the well-known
\nBoscha Observatory.<\/p>\n
So when PT BMW Indonesia offered me the chance to try its
\nlatest BMW 730 Li about two weeks ago, I was certain that we
\nwould be bound for Bandung.<\/p>\n
On a fine Sunday morning, the chauffeur-driven limo left
\nJakarta at about 7 a.m. Along the toll road, which was still
\nquiet that day, the driver, Arthur, sped up the car to an average
\nof 120 kilometers per hour (kph). It was not too much speed
\nactually, considering that many of the capital's drivers are not
\nafraid to go fast -- too fast that is. Maybe because the other
\nhalf of their driving time is spent caught up in traffic.<\/p>\n
It took us approximately 90 minutes to travel the 180-
\nkilometer distance between the two cities, so we had to wait in a
\nfactory outlet parking lot.<\/p>\n
While waiting for the store to open, Arthur took us through
\nsome of the features of the car, which was launched in Jakarta in
\nJune. The new 7 Series maintains BMW's family-oriented wide
\nkidney grille and Xenon headlights. But the rear, compared to the
\nold model, now has a sportier and more dynamic look, with
\nsimilarities to the 5 Series and 3 Series.<\/p>\n
In terms of dimensions, the 7 Series is very roomy, even for
\nback-seat passengers. The leather seats, albeit standard, can be
\nindividually adjusted including the back seat.<\/p>\n
The new BMW 7 Series is available in four models -- the 730
\nLi, 740 Li, 750 Li and 760 Li. The first three models feature new
\nengines and the 760 Li accommodates BMW's top-of-the-range V12
\npower unit.<\/p>\n
The car that I tried has a six-cylinder 2,996 cc engine under
\nits bonnet, producing 258 horse power at 6,600 revolutions per
\nminute (rpm) and a maximum torque of 300 Newton meter (Nm) at
\nbetween 2,500 rpm and 4,000 rpm.<\/p>\n
Although the carmaker claims it can run at a top speed of 244
\nkph, road conditions and safety concerns convinced us to stay
\nunder 160 kph.<\/p>\n
Bandung's worsening traffic -- owing to the influx of
\nJakartans -- was not a problem as the car moves smoothly even at
\na virtual standstill.<\/p>\n
Parking was not a problem either, thanks to the
\nparking-distance-control feature, which allows the driver to
\nmonitor the sides of the car's front and rear through the monitor
\non the dashboard as well as the servotronic, which offers speed-
\ndependent power steering. This feature allows the driver to
\noperate the car more easily as an electronic sensor system
\ngradually reduces the level of power assistance for more precise
\nsteering.<\/p>\n
Several stops at factory outlets and my favorite bakery ended
\nthe journey to Bandung in the Rp 1.4 billion (US$137,000) sedan
\nbefore I returned to the hustle and bustle of the capital.<\/p>",
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