Fraternal Fracas

Nigel thinks that the 7 Series should be enjoyed in full view of its palatial Pure Excellence Design package

As a self-proclaimed motorhead with an attraction to aggressive kits and boisterous exhaust notes, I used to believe that all cars should be purchased with 'go-fast bits' like the S-Line trims from Audi, M-Sport packages from BMW and AMG option from Mercedes (the beng-er the better). If your finances and the Land Transport Authority allow it, you could even throw an Akrapovic exhaust system into the mix while you're at it.

That mindset lasted until recently, when I spent some time with the new BMW 7 Series - the German poster boy of luxurious motoring. The 7 Series represents BMW's most committed attempt yet to finally crack the tough nut that is the global luxury sedan market.

Luxury, refinement and technology are areas where these cars are designed to deliver and in that respect - the 7 Series excels.

Opulence and class are words that come to mind when you think about this car and the Pure Excellence Design exterior package, in my opinion, manages to perfectly put those words into tastefully crafted, outward-curving sheet metal surfaces finished with elegant chrome accents on the radiator grille slats, rear bumper and front air inlets.

I'm about to say something that you might misunderstand, so don't. I was pretty damn sure at first that the M-Sport kitted 7 Series would be my cup of tea but on second thought, do I really want to kill its intended luxurious appeals? I do love the M-Sport stuff for their tempestuous and war-like appearances but - at the same time - would prefer to reserve these racier Bavarian features for a car like the BMW M Series M135i.

Desmond argued over an afternoon kopi session that M-Sport's athletic design brings out the 7 Series' sporty driving dynamics but if I was going to buy a big luxury sedan like the 7 Series, why not grant it the expensive and expansive vibes it deserves?
Desmond realises that the M-Sport Package makes the car unique and stands out in the luxury sedan crowd

When I first stepped into the 7 Series M-Sport, I honestly wasn't quite sure what the point was. The mechanical underpinnings of both the Pure Excellence Design and the M-Sport models are identical - the difference is purely aesthetic. Both models also share most of the same features and styling elements, and can be kitted out to the same interior specifications.

Yes, the M-Sport definitely looks more aggressive and sporty. The M Aerodynamics package with front apron, side skirts and rear apron adds to the overall sleekness of the car. Instead of the single, body-wide front lower grille, the M Sport's front apron is broken up into three segments, making the car appear slightly skinnier as well. Also, the car comes with M double-spoke rims that are more appealing than the standard ones.

What I like about the M-Sport is that it goes right to the heart of the car: underneath the luxury, refinement, and technological excellence of the new 7 Series resides a heart that is deeply rooted in the brand's motoring heritage. In my opinion, BMW makes some of the best driving vehicles, offering that sweet combination of power, handling and driving dynamics, and the 7 Series is no different. The Steptronic Sport transmission shifts seamlessly, ride comfort is excellent, and steering is sharp. And when you decide to put your foot down (as I did, often), the 3.0-litre TwinPower turbocharged engine spools up and gives you a kick up the behind, a heartening reminder that the car is still an inherently exquisite mechanical beast.

Some, like Nigel, will argue that that's not the point of this car. It's a luxurious cruiser that should be enjoyed sensibly, and it should look that way. Driving around on a Saturday afternoon, I couldn't help but notice my fellow 7 Series brethrens were quite commonplace on our roads. But one little episode cemented the place of the M-Sport in my mind.

As I returned to the Raffles City carpark after some last minute Christmas shopping and began the inevitable process of hunting for my ride among the sea of cars (of which many were 7 Series), I spotted it right away, and from some 50 metres away. The M double-spoke rims were immediately noticeable from afar. And that, I figured, is the point of the M-Sport. It offers something a little more special. Instead of being just another face in the 7 Series crowd, my ride was uniquely different (at least in that carpark).