Introduced as a 2002 model, the BMW 745i luxury sedan broke new ground in many areas and continues to stir contention among auto fanciers. The BMW 745i’s styling was controversial and there’s no doubt that its human interface, which includes multiple control functions wrapped together and branded iDrive, was a complete rethinking of the intersection of man and machine in an automotive context. Two years later, it’s time for a reassessment of the car. 

The design of the new 7-Series remains controversial, primarily in the way the rear deck kicks up and over the beltline that defines the car’s side view. BMW chief stylist Christopher Bangle said at the launch of the 745i that he was moving the car’s design well into the future and that it will look fresh for years to come. According to Mr. Bangle, the car moves away from a svelte athleticism that has characterized the brand to a more muscular form. Sorry Mr. Bangle, but my feeling two years later is that the car doesn’t look any better and that the trunk line was a mistake, although overall I do like the design. Bangle seems to have the BMW board mesmerized by his visionary thinking and his somewhat quirky designs are now regular fare for the company. 

As automotive electronics have grown more sophisticated—and more complicated—European luxury cars have accumulated a dashboard full of controls that are hard to locate and use while keeping your eyes on the road. BMW’s iDrive system in the new 745i sedan is a rethinking of the man/machine interface in an era of increasingly complex electronic functions. 

The heart of the iDrive interface is a controller—a center console-mounted joystick—and display screen mounted high on the dashboard, which manages a computer menu system that wraps up a number of functions and removes them from view. With the iDrive system, you select from hundreds of choices via a menu system that controls the navigation, audio, and climate functions. You move the controller in one of four directions that correspond with one of the car’s basic electronic systems, such as audio. Then you turn the control knob, either right or left, to scroll through the options. To make a selection, you press down on the controller. 

But here’s my bottom line, by this time I have driven the 745i many times over the past two years. But when I got in for a return engagement, the iDrive system seemed intimidating. I found myself thinking that I really didn’t need to listen to the news as I drove home; I was happy to sit in silence. My wife on a later trip took the device in hand and had some success, but the conclusion is that iDrive takes a lot of effort to master.

On the other hand the car is a wonderful experience on the highway. Despite its size, the brute power of the V-8 engine whisks the car from zero to sixty miles per hour in less than six seconds, yet bears no gas-guzzler tax. The engine incorporates a wealth of technology, including variable-lift valves that eliminate the throttle, a component that’s been with us since day one of engine design. These innovations raise power and responsiveness, while improving efficiency and reducing noxious emissions.

Few auto enthusiasts will disagree that BMW is still the industry standard for ride quality and handling in the luxury segment. An aluminum suspension reduces unsprung weight, which combined with rack-and-pinion steering delivers exceptional responsiveness. Aided by optional19-inch wheels and tires, the new 745i reacts instantly as the driver enters a curve. The 745i continues BMW’s tradition of almost perfect front-to-back weight distribution, which together with the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive architecture provides exceptional dynamic balance.
 

Vehicle: BMW 745i
Price as tested: $79,145
Engine:
Type: 4.4-liter V-8
Horsepower: 325 hp @ 6,100 rpm
Torque: 330-ft. lbs. @ 3,600 rpm
Fuel economy, automatic transmission 
City - 18 mpg
Highway - 26 mpg
Curb Weight: 4,376