Audi BMW

The moment has come, Audi has just revealed their latest A8 model and we’re ready to publish our photo comparison. When the new 7 Series launched in 2007, many people were suggesting that a comparison against the current A8 bodystyle might not be entirely fair and the new 7 Series would need to be put against the future A8.

Fair enough and here we are today ready to compare them side-by-side. Sure, some of you might say that our readers are biased, after all, you are on a website that lives and breathes BMW, but it has been proven in the past that we’re able to maintain an objective point of view, along with you, our readers.

We are going to show you both cars from different angles and we tried to choose similar shots, so a balance can be maintaned. We also stayed away from the beautiful M package on the 7 Series since there is no similar package released yet by Audi.

Click on all the images below for full resolution.

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See Twitter opinions from drivers on the BMW 7 Series

The BMW 730Ld has been named the 2009 Chauffeur Car of the Year, with the judges highlighting its ‘exceptional’ fuel economy, running costs and luxury as the new benchmarks in its class.

With CO2 emissions of just 180g/km and an combined consumption figure of 40.9mpg, the BMW 730Ld allows professional drivers and chauffeur companies to offer clients considerable luxury, as well as reduced environmental impact.

In winning over the competition, which included the Lexus LS600h and Mercedes-Benz S-class, Mark Bursa, Editor of Professional Driver Magazine and chairman of the jurors, said: “In the end, the new BMW 730Ld triumphed because its exemplary combination of style, finish and operating economics changes the game in its sector. It’s beautifully finished, with a superb, modern interior. BMW has brought its technological might to bear on the ride and handling.”

Stephen Chater, BMW Group Corporate Operations Manager, said: “We are delighted to win this award because the criteria for winning represents everything that BMW is about: building cars of the very highest premium quality that, thanks to EfficientDynamics, are often the most efficient in their sector in terms of emissions, fuel economy and therefore cost.”

The new BMW 730Ld is the integral model in the new BMW Chauffeur Programme that was recently launched to capitalize on the 7 Series’ dominant position in the professional driver’s market. The programme offers competitive contract hire rates, £699 per month based on three years or 60,000 miles including servicing*, enhanced specification packages and predictable running costs.

The KeeResources’ KwikCarCost calculator considers the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY L as 7.51 pence per mile (or 6.3 per cent) more expensive to run than the BMW 730Ld SE over three years or 60,000 miles.

To make this a vehicle for the driver as well as the driven, tailored benefits include BMW Service Inclusive, complimentary on the BMW 730Ld, which lasts for 5 years or 60,000 miles and covers all of the vehicle’s basic servicing requirements. As part of the programme, professional drivers are also covered in the event of an immobilisation which cannot be repaired at the roadside. Should this occur and replacement vehicle which is PCO licensed for London, can be provided, giving operators peace of mind that clients will always be catered for to the highest standards.*

BMW also offers complimentary ConnectedDrive telematics and online services for the first three years, which are fully integrated with the vehicle’s navigation and Bluetooth telephone system, for those taking delivery of a Seven through the programme.

Customers can enhance the specification of their car further by opting for the Executive and Executive Plus packages. Giving passengers the luxurious equipment they demand at a competitive cost for the operator, the Executive package features 19-inch light alloy wheels, TV function, Sun protection glass, rear electrically-powered sunblinds, a windscreen with a grey shaded band and front and rear seat heating. The Executive Plus package adds Soft-close doors and driver and front passenger lumbar support to this list.

For more information visit www.bmwcorporate.co.uk/chauffeur

Ever since its official launch last year, the new BMW 7 Series has been considered the leader in its market segment. Along with a new, revamped design, the new 7er brought out several innovations and showcased impressive technologies.

In a car segment very important for all luxury car makers, BMW faces fierce competition and among the traditional competitors, Mercedes, Lexus or Audi, Jaguar is looking to challenge the 7 as well.

Recently acquired by India based company, Tata Motors, Jaguar plans to build as many as 25,000 XJ models annually.

The new Jaguar XJ sedan will be built at the company’s Castle Bromwich, England, factory. The entry level model will start at $72,000, but it can cost as much as $115,000 with all available options added.

As expected, the U.S. market is the main target where BMW has reported impressive sales numbers in the past 10 years. Through October, Jaguar sold only 1,082 XJ models in the U.S., almost 50% down compared to last year’s numbers.

With a newer design and a new approach, it remains to be seen if Jaguar will succeed in “stealing” some of BMW’s 7 Series customers, especially since the new model has been well received by the consumers and highly appreciated by the auto media.

Our friend Jonathan Spira over at the Executive Road Warrior went through an unfortunate accident while driving his new BMW 7 Series. We learned in the past about BMW’s safety measurements implemented in their cars and even more evident in the latest generation 7 Series, but truth is that, fortunately, we didn’t go through a similar experience.

Let’s take a look at the incident and how the 7 Series “reacted”:

“In addition, while not perfect, features such as real-time traffic reporting via the navigation system, which provides information about any accidents ahead and other traffic patterns, and head-up display, projecting navigation, road geometry, and speed information in the driver’s field of vision, add to overall safety.

But there is one thing that none of these systems can do and that’s protect against other drivers who have made a huge miscalculation and, in an instant, are hurtling towards your car without apparently seeing it.

In my case, this happened two weeks ago as I was proceeding on a major street with a green light.  An Acura SUV made a left turn from opposing traffic and entered my path a second or so before impact.  This gave me barely enough time to react, let alone successfully complete an evasive maneuver.  I instinctively stomped on the brakes and tried to steer my way out of its way.  The braking slowed the car down sufficiently so that I avoided a side impact to my car (which could have caused significant injury) but nonetheless, we still made contact as the SUV passed in front of me.

I heard the accident take place but I didn’t feel it at all. The car’s front crumple zone absorbed the impact so well that it was a minor thud to me at most.

The most important thing is that the car I was driving, a new BMW 7er series, not only allowed me to walk away from the accident but absorbed so much of the impact that I was left completely unscathed.    No safety system that currently exists can stop another driver from executing a maneuver that may result in an accident.  What matters most is that the car you are in can keep the consequences of the impact to a minimum.”

Read through to find out more about the safety systems in BMW 7 Series.