The 7 Series has never drawn much admiration for its looks, but impresses with its sophistication. Could an Individual give the big Beemer the right blend of attitude and exclusivity, then?
The 7 Series has never drawn much admiration for its looks, but impresses with its sophistication. Could an Individual give the big Beemer the right blend of attitude and exclusivity, then?
BMW has expanded its Individual programme to include packages for its range-topping 7 Series. Two packages – the Individual Extended package and the Individual Full package – are available to add some spice to the Munich-based firm’s flagship range.
Recently, BMW Group design chief Chris Bangle said in defence of the 7 Series: “As we got closer to the launch of the 7 Series, it was heading into that famous year 2000 wall [Y2K], which was the peak of retro. You never heard the word emotion coming from designers like you do now. There was a fear of technology, a fear of change. Don’t forget, we were all afraid our toasters were going to be in league with our refrigerators”.
He denied that the forthcoming 7 Series facelift was being done in response to criticism: “The 7 Series is no different than any other product. When the right time comes in its product cycle, it will also get its treatment.”
The Individual Extended package includes Individual Merino leather upholstery on the front and rear seats (including the headrests), the rear of the front seat backrests, door trim panel inserts, centre armrest and the “B”-pillar inserts.
The floor of the centre console and “C”-pillar trim bottom are finished in Nasca leather upholstery, the binding on the floor mats is completed in leather and a bi-colour steering wheel in leather Walknappa.
Also included are the Individual interior trim strips, illuminated Individual entry sills and a knitwear anthracite roof liner. White indicator lights, high gloss satin chrome window surrounds and V-spoke 20-inch light alloy wheels complete the package.
The Individual Full package also includes Merino leather upholstery on the front and rear seats (including the headrests), the rear of the front seat backrests, door trim panel inserts, centre armrest and the “B”-pillar inserts.
Walknappa upholstery is included on the lower section of the instrument panel and the bi-colour steering wheel. Along with the leather bound floormats, white indicator lights, chrome window surrounds and interior strips offered on the extended package, the full package also includes Alcantara roof liner, parcel shelf and pillar trim.
Interior leather can be chosen from a selection of Black, Gold Brown, Caramel, Ecru Light (mid-beige), Platinum and Champagne Merino leather. The interior trim strips can be finished in Piano Finish Black, Poplar Ruby,Tamo Umbra and Poplar Natural.
New exterior colours are included in the new packages and include Petrol mica Metallic (very dark greenish-blue), Blue Onyx Metallic, Malachite Green dark Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic, and Diamond Metallic.
There is also a new Individual alloy wheel with the “BMW Individual” designation on the centre hub.
The Individual DVD system will be optional. The system comprises two high-resolution Alpine colour monitors installed in the rear panels of the driver’s and front passenger’s seats. The 6.5 inch LCD monitors can be operated via the remote control or directly via the monitor and are complemented by two sets of headphones. A six DVD changer is integrated into the luggage compartment.
The Extended Package (not available on 760Li) costs R100 000, Full Package (available across the 7 Series range) R140 000 and the DVD system R80 000.
