BMW 7 Series
If you’re looking for an automotive technological tour de force, then take a gander at the all-new BMW 7 Series. Packed to the brim with the latest innovations, some of which are world firsts, the 7 Series has moved the goal posts not just for luxury sedans, but arguably for the automotive industry as a whole as well.
Starting from its engineering core, literally, BMW has made good use of the knowledge learnt from the development of its breakthrough i3 and i8 electric cars, and has incorporated carbon fibre technology into the design. Dubbed Carbon Core, the body structure is produced from a mix of carbon fibre, steel and aluminium, which helps to shed weight and results in a much more livelier car to drive, not to mention enhanced efficiency all round.
Under the skin, BMW has strived to produce as advanced a car as you can get today. The optional four-wheel-steering system helps with handling agility and stability, while air suspension is standard for maximum ride comfort. In addition, there is the new Adaptive drive mode, which utilises sensors and GPS data to read the road and prime the 7 Series with the most optimum settings to adapt.
Step into its interior, using the clever digital smart key which can display various data and info about the car, and be prepared to be wowed, for the cabin is truly modern luxury redefined. Rear seat passengers are pampered with adjustable chairs with massage function, as well as their very own removable tablet in the armrest to control various functions, such as the radio, climate control system, interior lighting, and many more.
Up front, the 7 Series debuts a new gesture control system, which allows you to adjust the radio’s volume or accept and reject incoming phone calls, among other functions, using a series of pre-defined hand gestures that is detected by a sensor in the cabin. The smart park assist system, with 3D surround view makes parking the car a cinch, and the ambient air package, incorporating an in-built air freshener with a choice of two selectable scents and an air ioniser, ensure a soothing ambience for occupants.
Dripping with cutting-edge technology, the new 7 Series truly moves the game forward, and has redefined what we’ve come to expect from cars. A revolutionary game-changer indeed.
Volkswagen Passat
The eighth-generation Volkswagen Passat makes a huge leap over its predecessor, having been completely redesigned and reengineered from top to bottom. Its chiselled looks give it a sleek and sexy stance, a noted departure from the conservatism that characterised Passats of years past. The new car also sits on Volkswagen’s lightweight modular platform, shared with its stablemates such as the Golf hatchback, and as a result shares similar driving characteristics, with the Passat offering a fun and nimble drive experience, and feeling like a much smaller and lighter car than it looks. It still retains some big car behaviour though, with its 1.8-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine providing more than enough oomph for your daily needs, with 180bhp and 250Nm of torque at your disposal. The interior is spacious enough to fit five in comfort, and is blessed with the usual German Teutonic build quality, mixed with modernist style and cutting-edge technology.
Lexus IS200t
Lexus has finally joined the turbo revolution, and the new IS200t is perhaps the best application of the company’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine yet. Already available on NX and RX SUVs, the new powerplant now sees its way into Lexus’ junior executive sedan, pitting it straight up against its German rivals who have already stolen a march on it in the turbo race. Despite being late to the party, the IS200t busts out of the blocks and immediately makes a compelling case for itself, by offering a great drive and impressive performance. With 241bhp and 350Nm of torque on tap, mated to a slick eight-speed automatic gearbox, the IS200t delivers plenty of power blended with excellent refinement. Its sharp and aggressive styling hides a truly luxurious and well-appointed interior, with the usual Lexus high-quality present as usual. The Germans definitely have much to worry about indeed.
Story Credits
Text by Ben Chia
This article comes from the May 2016 issue of Men’s Folio Magazine.
