Seven Up

Even for the most jaded auto reviewer — the delivery of a 2013 BMW 7 Series is a highlighted date on the calendar. Arriving sleek and low- slung in a black metallic finish, the BMW 750Li xDrive Sedan is both disarmingly impressive and yet distinctly understated. Up front an updated BMW grille is familiar – with new Xenon adaptive headlights and LED Foglamps — while the latest body styling is somewhat more generic. A new accent line that runs around the car at door handle level adds to the leaner eye appeal and the longer sweep of the hood.

Under that hood is a masterwork of an internal combustion engine — a 4.4 liter Twin Power Turbo V8, 32 valve direct injection engine pumping an effortless 445 horsepower.

The interior of the BMW 750Li xDrive is regal befitting its $122,000 price tag. And the full scope of on-board gadgetry is appropriate for the price but a bit dizzying. The most practical of the tech features is the driver assistance package which provides good active blind spot detection and a nifty side and top view video camera system that virtually eliminates common parking lot and back-up hazards.