The last 750iXL, which this replaces in V8 form, weighed 4980 lbs, according to Car and Driver. So now we're talking 4800 lbs, which still makes it an elephant on wheels, carbon fibre or not. The new short wheelbase 740 RWD available in Europe, is claimed to weigh only 3775 lbs. Big difference. Apparently all the journalists invited to the World Reveal all sit there mute while selective information is dispensed to their huddled masses. Kind of like the new aluminum F150 which was supposed to weigh 700 lbs less, but reality showed a 450 pound saving in its most popular configuration.
The engine is a mild update, as twin scroll turbos nestling in the Vee has been a feature for three years on the S63. So it has now been treated to separate cooling for the heads and block, just like the Subaru FA, VW 2.0t and new GM 3.6 or numerous other engines. Plus a bit of gerrymandering on the intake side. Hardly revolutionary and not worth drooling over, especially as the cylinder capacity at 562cc and square bore/stroke ratio hardly fit with the latest BMW handed down-from-the-mount mantra. That is reserved for the new B58 six cylinder 740i, which is a doubled-up MINI three cylinder, with mandatory 500cc cylinders and small bore/long stroke.
The iDrive has been updated, not the X-Drive which is solidly behind both the Mercedes and Audi AWD versions, both of which have centre differentials. X-Drive is just an electromechanical clutch like the Subaru MPT mounted backwards to account for rear drive bias.
As for the electronics, with which this car is festooned to turn it into a gin palace on wheels, with oh-wow lighting both internally and externally, massaging seats, motorized back seat, heads-up display enlargement, an ugly iPad sticking up out of the dash, infrared night vision, cameras everywhere, good luck with everything working all at once. It needs a bathroom.
Here's what BMW should have improved: the aluminum on the wheels which mere second class potholes dents badly. All C/D long term tests trash BMW wheels, three on the last 750 iXL! And a remote start for foreign markets, where the German Greens don't hold sway.
Another Panzer machine for the elite. And yawn-inducing styling, which is where it really falls down. A Honda Civic chrome strip across the trunk? Spare me. It should look like $150K but it's way too ordinary in appearance. Benz S-Class for the win at a trot.
