Test Drives to Top Fives: 2015 BMW 740Ld to Roti Vybz

Published May 6, 2015 at 7:19 pm

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At insauga.com, we have a new segment called Test Drives to Top Fives where we film Khaled and Jay test driving new cars while driving them to Top 5 restaurants in Mississauga. You can also read Jay Kana’s more in-depth review of hot new rides below the video. Enjoy!

Car: BMW 740Ld
Top 5: Roti Vybz 

[video:https://vimeo.com/127095995]

The lap of luxury is often the height of comfort — unless the lap is wearing a shoddy pair of slacks

When I upgraded from my ’87 Volvo 240 DL to a 2002 Hyundai Elantra, I felt like I made the leap from pauper to prince; never mind the feeling I got when I upgraded from the 2005 Mazda 3 to the 2010 Mazda 3.

I realize that staying in the compact segment doesn’t allow for much upward movement. But each year the auto industry makes advances and improvements, so each car ends up feeling more upscale anyway, regardless of segment. That’s innovation for you.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have driven several grandiose vehicles and all of them have left an impression on me — I now know what I enjoy. I look for power, responsiveness, quietness in the cabin, simplicity in the gauges, functionality of the centre console and the fit and finish of the interior, among other things. 

I’m adding the 2015 BMW 740Ld xDrive to that list of impressive vehicles after spending a wonderful week in it.

Better described (by me) as a bespoke chariot for four, the 740Ld spares no detail when it comes to ensuring that its occupants experience something close to an executive class flight.

The rear passengers enjoy their own climate control, entertainment screens (mounted on the front headrests with separate audio controls), adjustable seats and a relaxing view, even if it’s of a concrete jungle.

If the view doesn’t interest you, you can dim the natural lights with the flick of a switch —sunshades emerge from the window well for each rear passenger window and the rear window. There’s also an available rear seat massage option for those tough days at the office.

If you’re in the front passenger seat, you’ll enjoy the same luxury as those behind you, but you’ll also have access to the large screen display controlled by the easy-to-operate iDrive system.

If you’re the lucky driver, well, you’ve got the best seat in the house. You’re the captain of BMW’s flagship sedan. You’d be forgiven if the handling, performance (for a diesel) and sportiness of the 740Ld make you feel like you’re driving a coupe. Although the horsepower comes in at 255, there’s still plenty of “get up and go” beneath your right foot. Also impressive is the 423 lb.-ft. of torque generated by the 3.0-litre twin turbocharged diesel engine — a feature that is long overdue, given what’s been happening with oil lately.

As with all things in life, you get what you pay for. If you’re looking for a first-class ride in the full-size luxury sedan segment, the 740Ld starts at a hair above the $100,000 mark. Tick off the Executive package (auto trunk, soft-close doors, rear-view camera, side and rear sunshades, ventilated seats, leather instrument panel and XM radio), the M Sport package, the Rear Comfort package, the Multi-Media package and my favourite, the Technology and Vision package and you’re a $50 steak-and-lobster dinner above the $125,000 point. Did I mention the Technology and Vision package includes night vision with pedestrian detection? Night vision!

Of course, what six-figure vehicle is complete without a booming audio system producing crystal-clear high notes and firm, flowing low notes? Similar to the X6, the 740Ld comes with a Bang & Olufsen Surround System churning out 1,200 symphonic watts of pure musical enjoyment. 

My girlfriend, Laura, echoes my admiration for what BMW has produced and with the new diesel offering, we could’ve made it to Quebec City and back (provided there was no traffic either way). We both appreciated the fit and finish and the smooth ride quality.

There’s a redesign for the 2016 model and don’t count on a complete overhaul from the Bavarians. Do count on them, however, to find a way to further enhance an already superb offering.

I’m a self-professed simple fellow, but I do appreciate the finer things the auto world has to offer, and the elegant 740Ld is hovering near the top of my favourite luxury vehicles. I’m a bit of a “best of both worlds” kind of guy.

Now please excuse me while I change into a suit and tie to eat some Kraft Dinner and gourmet hot dogs.

 

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