Many BMW fans are also very fond of thisautomobile's styling, which retains many of the marque's classic design cues. The V-12 got a bump to 326 horsepower, which was now delivered through a five-speed automatic transmission. With the addition of headlight washers, auto-leveling headlamps, satellite navigation, rain-sensing wipers, and a 14-speaker sound system, the 7 Series sedan had become one of the most feature-packed cars of the 1990s.
In 2002, BMW made a design U-turn, abandoning the classic styling cues that had long distinguished the brand in favor of what pundits described as a more conventional shape. When the faithful are devout believers, any departure from the true path can generate a critical response, so some Bimmer fans were very unhappy with the new sheetmetal. To this radical styling change add another game-altering move: the full adaptation of the I-Drive computer system. This innovative microprocessor-equipped device is in charge of climate control, audio, and the nav system--all by means of a singledisplay. Many drivers have found it bewildering. And a long list of high-tech features caused some to wonder if an "ultimate driving machine' really needed so much electronic adornment.
But all can agree that today's premier BMW sedandelivers a superb driving experience. Its handing is arguably unmatched by any car in
