Understanding BMW’s model naming conventions is a skill in and of itself, and committing that to memory is a whole other feat. When the brand started to roll out its electric fleet, it gave fanboys and gearheads another challenge to accept.
There are several ways to learn about BMW’s history and what it currently has to offer. You could start with the 3-Series, and work your way up towards the 5ers and 7s, or, alternatively, work your way down to more niche 2- and 1-Series Bimmers. There are multiple ways to go about it—either way, you’ll end up twisting your tongue saying BMW M3 Competition xDrive Touring, over and over until you get the sequence right.
But last weekend, we got the opportunity to start at the top and understand the brand from its peak, at least commercially. What was laid out in front of us, outside BMW Greenhills, was the Grand Klasse, the best of what BMW offers in terms of luxury and comfort. This isn’t just the 7-Series, but the electric i7, and the X7 mild-hybrid diesel.
During a drive to Anvaya Cove in Bataan, we got to experience the Grand Klasse in the driver’s seat, and in the second row, where most 7-Series and i7 owners probably sit. The overcast morning progressively turned into thunderous rain as we made our way up north, but those varying weather conditions really showed off just how refined these vehicles are.
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BMW 735i Pure Excellence
We flagged off from Greenhills in the backseat of the BMW 7-Series. Sam Surla from The Auto PH was a true gentleman and kindly drove us to our first stop at BMW Pampanga, as we got comfortable in the back.
The 735i is huge, and if anything, that means one thing—tons of glorious legroom. Julian Panlilio, also from The Auto PH, sat with me in the back (sorry, Sam), and the first thing he did was push the front passenger seat as far as he could. Interestingly, Sam commented that even with the front passenger seat pushed all the way forward, he still had an unobstructed view of his right-view mirror and the window. That’s where I began to see just how much thought went into putting this ginormous sedan together.
As we drove through EDSA and entered the expressway, we toyed around with the different passenger modes that were accessible through the touchscreen on our doors. ‘Relax’ closed our window shades, rear windshield cover, and shut the sunroof off. The already quiet cabin got even quieter, and we entered another level of comfort.
It feels almost strange to be able to recline electronically in a second row, but that is the world of the Grand Klasse. Being on rich leather seats and plush head pillows for a little less than two hours, I admittedly became a little spoiled and started looking for luxuries that were not there, like a cooling box or a small refrigerator.
After parking in Pampanga Premier Cars, I got another look at the 735i before entering the dealer. While its overall impression balances tough and executive styling to a tee, those thin, slit headlights still throw me off. It’s been about two years since this model made its Philippine debut, and it looks like sentiments on those headlights have started to skew more positively. Perhaps after another two-hour drive, I’ll feel better about it.
BMW i7 xDrive60 Pure Excellence
Getting into the all-electric BMW i7, it was Sam’s turn to have a stretch in the back. As I got situated in the cockpit, I recalled what our publisher Carlo Chungunco said about his time driving the i7: “...The i7 magically started to shrink around me.” Gradually, I felt more snug and comfortable as we got back on the expressway.
And that’s where the i7 really shined as a driver’s car. Accelerating was responsive, and it started gliding in tandem with the weight of my foot. Braking as well was confident and clean, as it needed just the right amount of pressure to slow down. The single-speed transmission is just about perfect for how much power the i7 outputs, and it prompted us to leisurely leave the car on adaptive cruise control and enjoy the cabin.
This is when the rain started to pour, and while it got torrential outside, it was rather solemn inside the i7. It didn’t completely block out the pitter-patter of the rain, but muffled it just enough to keep things quiet inside. In Subic, we switched drivers and I got a chance to return as a passenger princess. In the back, I turned on the massage functions of my seat and watched the rain collect on the sunroof. It was as peaceful as car rides get.
It was a rude awakening to realize that we were driving a P10.39 million car, but this is the Grand Klasse after all. Considering the smoother drive and added functionality of the i7, it might just be a better deal than the P8.99 million 735i. To further that argument, while BMW Philippines is offering a huge P1 million discount on the 735i, the brand is also slashing P1.4 million off the i7. Tough call, right?
BMW X7 xDrive40d Pure Excellence
After spending the night in Anvaya, we drove back to Manila in the BMW X7. While this is not an executive sedan, it is still part of the Grand Klasse and is priced like so. Stacking it up to what I experienced yesterday, the X7 did feel lacking in some areas.
Priced even more than the i7 at P10.590 million (although BMW Philippines is currently offering it with a P1 million discount), it lacks several niceties that you’d expect in a family car/seven-seater SUV. Not having adaptive cruise control is the biggest pain point.
However, driving the car through the open roads of Clark and then into EDSA traffic felt surprisingly light and easy. You’d expect an SAV, or Sports Activity Vehicle, as BMW says, with this stature to feel the weight, but speeding up felt pleasantly snappy. In bumper-to-bumper traffic, the X7’s drivetrain translated that snappy acceleration into buttery halts that rocked my passengers to sleep.
Niceties aside, the X7 is built like a P10.59 million peso car, and shows it off with every door shut and tailgate opening. Perhaps for some, being ultimate driving machines means keeping your feet on the pedals at all times.
Driving the Grand Klasse was a deeply relaxing and dynamic lesson in BMW’s history. While these cars cost more than a pretty penny, none of them are anything short of thoughtful and expertly designed.
