A close look at the BMW 745i

Every new car model must be a source of fear and trepidation for any car manufacturer. State-of-the-art technologies and superlative performance can easily be overlooked by buyers if they are cloaked by a body only a mother could love.

Top-of-the-line luxury cars are no exception. In fact aesthetics become absolutely crucial for these models, as a successful range-topper will always have a halo effect on its lower-end brethren.

This was precisely the case for BMW, when the German luxury carmaker assembled the world press in Fiuggi, Italy for an advanced ride-and-drive of its all-new 745i sedan (internally called E65), a car that will make its way to Philippine shores in the first half of next year. Let’s now take a close look at this significant new model.

Caption for front shot (with inset): It’s not going to win beauty contests, but the facade of the 333-hp 4.4-liter V8-powered 745i is especially effective at one thing: making slow-moving traffic vacate the fast lane. I experienced this during a brief 230-kph blast on the autostrada with Business World motoring editor Armin Amio behind the wheel. Cars were more than happy to let the serious-looking Bimmer with the gaping twin kidney grilles pass. Journalists from other countries noticed the same effect during their driving stints.

Front

When lit at dusk, the headlamp clusters are absolutely jewel-like. The circular park lights, first seen in the recently updated 5-series, make a thoroughly delightful sight. Bluish xenon lamps add a mysterious air while giving unsurpassed nighttime illumination.

Side

The in vogue high-beltline look as seen on the current Toyota Corolla Altis and to a lesser degree, the Honda Civic, is also present in Munich’s latest. No surprise really, as the Europeans have always been a practitioner of this design logic. It gives the car a more substantial look and feel.

The overall effect is partially offset, however, by the tall greenhouse and graceful roofline, the latter terminating with BMW’s trademark dogleg kink at the C-pillar. The near-fastback backlight is perhaps the most raked as far as luxury cars go. An upright rear backlight is usually de riguer for prestigious luxury cars. The visual Teutonic mass is enhanced by the use of huge 17-inch wheels and 55-series rubber, the only aesthetic concession to athleticism. Spoilers just won’t do justice to this aerodynamically efficient design (Cd of .29). Despite designing a large luxury car, BMW never forgot that sportiness is still the Bavarian cars’ hallmark.

Rear

A melding of yesterday and tomorrow. The large taillight clusters on either end are modern interpretations of traditional BMW theme. The thin slivers of red, however, are straight from the rear ends of the fabulous Z8 and Z9 coupes. The ducktail treatment for the trailing edge of the trunk lid adds some visual interest as well as serves as a spoiler that minimizes turbulence in the wake of the car.