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