Exploring the BMW 7-Series in W. Java

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.