BMW will launch a new flagship sedan positioned above the 7 Series in the coming years. To whet buyers’ appetite, the Munich-based car maker has announced two special edition variants of the long-wheelbase 7 called Solitaire Edition and Master Class Edition, respectively.
The two models were developed to set new benchmarks in the areas of luxury and comfort, so most of the upgrades are found in the cabin. BMW Individual has added wall-to-wall Merino leather upholstery, an Alcantara-upholstered headliner, cushions for the rear passengers, and ultra-soft floor mats made from sheared lambskin. Need a drink? You’re in luck, because both 7s come with a built-in bar, an integrated cooling box, and a set of tulip-shaped wine glasses.
A silver-plated plaque located on the center console tells the passengers that they’re not riding in a run-of-the-mill 7 Series. If that’s too mundane, buyers can pay more to have five generously-sized diamonds inserted into the middle of the dashboard and into each of the door panels.
Outside, the 7s retain a low-key appearance. They’re offered in either metallic black gold or metallic solitaire white. Both hues boast a deep gloss because BMW painstakingly embeds fine glass flakes into the final layers of the paint. The finishing touch is a discreet badge affixed to both C-pillars and a small emblem on the right side of the chrome strip that runs across the trunk lid.
BMW hasn’t made any mechanical modifications. Both models are powered by a 750iL-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine that makes 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. In spite of its massive size, the sedan hits 60 mph from a stop in a brisk 4.7 seconds, and it goes on to a top speed that’s electronically limited to 155 mph. The eight spins all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission that uses a GPS system to detect the terrain ahead and automatically adjust the gearbox.
Just six examples of the 750Li Solitaire Edition will be hand-built by BMW Individual, and production of the Master Class model is limited to only a single example. Pricing information hasn’t been published, though the special 7’s target audience likely doesn’t need to ask.
