Get the Spec Right, and BMW's 7 Series Can Look Amazing

"OMG, that grille!" Ain't that the truth… Still, the 7 Series is a great luxury sedan that can transform the way you travel. A full-on sports car is fun and can put a big smile on your face. However, a vehicle that doesn't cost Rolls-Royce money but provides a somewhat similar level of comfort and plushness will make you feel like a successful CEO who is keen on living a stress-free life.

Because we envision you as an executive who prioritizes serenity and healthiness, the version we chose to configure couldn't be the all-electric i7. A battery-powered sedan can be more silent and feel more stable on every type of road thanks to a lower center of gravity because the high-voltage energy storage unit sits under the floor and is usually part of the ride's structural integrity.

The one disadvantage is that existing battery technology is not where we'd want it to be. The maximum range is impacted by weather conditions, the size of the wheels, your style of driving, and how many cabin amenities you're using. Keeping the A/C on all the time, for example, can drain the battery faster.

Then, there's charging. If you want to prolong the battery's life, you shouldn't DC fast charge it very often. Also, unless it's a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack, you should avoid charging it to 100 percent regularly.

The i7 eDrive50, for example, has a maximum EPA-rated range of 321 miles (517 kilometers). So, keeping up with the recommended charging strategy would leave you with an ideal daily range of 257 mi (414 km). That is, of course, if it isn't too cold or too hot outside and you're driving optimally.

Oh, and did I mention that the high-power charging network isn't great in North America and many parts of Europe? Besides a weird connector situation, thieves are cutting pedestal cables to sell the copper inside them. These stations are an easy target because there's no clerk to supervise them, and they're usually placed in weird spots.

Choosing the right 7 Series

It's evident that all-electric vehicles will rule the world at some point, but, in our humble opinion, a person willing to pay good money today for a precious Bimmer shouldn't have to put up with the hassle of tomorrow. What's the point in spending a six-figure sum on a car and then having to mingle with all sorts of other people or deal with the public charging infrastructure's shortcomings?

So, we chose the next best thing: the 5,635-lb (2,564-kg) plug-in hybrid 750e xDrive that has an MSRP of $107,000. This version of the 7 Series combines the turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder B58 engine with an electric motor. An eight-speed automatic transmission manages the maximum power output of 483 hp and 479 lb-ft (649 Nm) of torque.

Besides having a range of 470 miles (756 kilometers) when the tank is full and the 18.7-kWh usable battery is completely charged, the 750e xDrive can reach 60 mph from a standstill in 4.6 seconds and keep accelerating until the top speed of 127 mph (204 kph) is reached.

Given that the high-voltage battery is over five times smaller than the one put in the underbelly of the i7, charging it to 100 percent at a domestic socket takes around nine hours. So, you could wake up every morning to a full "tank" without having to invest in Level 2 home charging equipment.

A full battery guarantees a maximum emission-free range of 54 miles (87 kilometers), which could be enough for your daily mobility needs. Just keep in mind that, to protect the high-voltage energy storage unit, the electric motor will only work when the battery is nice and toasty. At temperatures of 14 F (minus 10 C) and below, the vehicle will exclusively use the internal combustion engine until the battery has warmed up.

Speccing it right

There's no way around that ginormous grille. It doesn't resemble any kidneys anymore. It looks like someone forgot that they had two beans soaking in a pot. To double down on making them even bigger, they asked Jack from the "Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean" to transform the seeds into a futuristic BMW grille.

We're only kidding. But what's life without a little humor, right?

In all seriousness, though, the shiny grille must go. We'll take care of it immediately.

Our building process starts with the exterior color: Dravit Grey Metallic. It's a $1,950 option, and it's dark, and it's grey. I know. However, this sedan's outlandish design doesn't pair well with other colors. Aventurin Red Metallic (a sort of dark cherry red or burgundy) could be another option, but it is our assumption that it might attract attention. What we're building here is a discreet chariot for someone who doesn't want people to spot them easily.

However, if you want to create an even more special 750e xDrive, here are a few extra suggestions that are part of BMW's Individual portfolio:

• Dark Emerald Metallic;
• Enigmatic Black Metallic;
• Monteverde Metallic;
• Sepang Bronze Metallic;
• Thunder Metallic.

The Bavarian brand typically charges $5,500 or a bit more for these special colors, but they are cool and different from what other customers may choose. You can see them in the photo gallery.

Monteverde Metallic

Next, we chose the 21-inch Jet Black 909 M wheels for $1,300. Larger rims and low-profile tires can become a worry because they are susceptible to pothole damage, but the only other size available is 20 inches. The 21s fill the wheel well nicer.

The configurator takes us inside now, and we have many options available. We settled on a Mocha Merino cabin. As for the trim, we kept the standard Mirror Oak High Gloss box ticked.

At this point, the grille is still very much in your face. So, now's the time to explore the "Options" land and pick what we want on our plug-in hybrid 7 Series.

We chose the Executive package because it adds heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, automatic doors, and the slightly cooler "crystal" headlights.

If you want your passengers to have access to similar amenities, the Luxury Rear Seating Pack is a must. We do, so we ticked the box.

Finishing touches

Unfortunately, BMW forces us to pick the Premium pack, too. That one adds the illuminated kidney (who are they kidding?) grille, a 360-degree camera system, cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, and the auto parking feature.

The following pack, entitled Autobahn, includes a better suspension system, a camera that scans the road ahead to prepare the suspension for what's to come, and four-wheel steering. It goes on our 7 Series.

Last but not least is the M Sport Professional Package. This is the one option that makes the 7 Series look much, much better. The grille is darkened out and the lower front fascia gets a more sculpted aspect with the accent put on airflow. There's a real-life look at such a spec for a 7 Series available in the photo gallery.

That pack is almost mandatory for people who want to drive their family and friends in a cocooned environment, while reserving the best seat for themselves. Few people will stare at your BMW now that the grille is very well integrated into the front-end's appearance.

We ended up with an MSRP of $131,745 for our 2024 BMW 750e xDrive. Considering that we're basically looking at a budget Rolls-Royce Ghost, that's not bad.

However, because the 7 Series is a two-year-old car when writing, dealerships may have something very close to your ideal configuration on their lot. You could score a discount! Near Los Angeles, California, for example, there are over 30 units that are an immediate match for our build. Sadly, they're all V8-powered 7 Series.