{"id":31486,"date":"2023-09-21T17:35:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T21:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=31486"},"modified":"2023-09-21T17:35:00","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T21:35:00","slug":"payne-come-aboard-for-a-tour-of-the-bmw-760i-land-yacht","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2023\/09\/payne-come-aboard-for-a-tour-of-the-bmw-760i-land-yacht","title":{"rendered":"Payne: Come aboard for a tour of the BMW 760i land yacht"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Charlevoix<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 The BMW 760i is a land yacht. Striking bow. Sumptuous living quarters. All the latest technological amenities that require a shelf of manuals to operate. A big ol\u2019 V-8 engine below decks to get you to your next port of call.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Let me give you a tour.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Like a yacht, I took the BMW\u2019s flagship model up north to Charlevoix for the weekend. But I didn\u2019t tow it, I drove it. The Lake Michigan coastline is peppered with marinas stuffed with sailboats, motorboats and yachts in summertime. Not all of us own a boat, but we have friends who do. They tend to be generous \u2014 welcoming friends aboard their prized assets for entertainment, water skiing, or just to hang out and watch fireworks.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912544007-bmw-760-i-wider.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The 2023 BMW 760i is the top-line sedan for the Bavarian brand.\" width=\"477\" height=\"269\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912544007-bmw-760-i-wider.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912544007-bmw-760-i-wider.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The 2023 BMW 760i is the top-line sedan for the Bavarian brand.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2023 BMW 760i is the top-line sedan for the Bavarian brand.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Celebrity yachts are measured in feet like, say, the DeVos family\u2019s 178-footer or Kid Rock\u2019s 200-foot cutter. The seventh-generation 7-series length is measured in inches (212 to be exact) but has no less presence. The bow is particularly formidable with its enormous kidneys, black trim and squared-off hood that reminded many of my passengers of a Rolls.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-2\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">There was no Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament parting the waves, but the front end is so tall that BMW has adopted mid-facia headlights (like many SUVs on the market) to reduce glare for oncoming traffic. The Jeep Cherokee innovated this design back in 2014, but it has since been adopted by premium brands from GMC to BMW to Buick. With the headlights next to the grille, the fascia focus is on the thin LD \u201ceyebrow\u201d lights at the hood-line.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The rest of the car\u2019s flanks are simple, clean, business-like. The real action starts when you open the front door. Or rather, when it opens for you.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912525007-bmw-760-i-int.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The sumptuous, red interior of the 2023 BMW 760i includes a panoramic roof.\" width=\"486\" height=\"274\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912525007-bmw-760-i-int.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912525007-bmw-760-i-int.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The sumptuous, red interior of the 2023 BMW 760i includes a panoramic roof.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The sumptuous, red interior of the 2023 BMW 760i includes a panoramic roof.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Push a button on the Bimmer\u2019s slab-like doors and they briefly gap \u2014 then swing open automatically (though not too far if another vehicle is parked next door) to welcome you in. Slide in, press the brake pedal and the door swings shut behind you. Or just speak and the door will close. Cool.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-3\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"2\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Want to exit? Push the door icon on the left-side dash and the door automatically opens for you to get out. Walk away from the 7, and the doors will swing closed behind you with the touch of the BMW fob. There are myriad other options to learn, and buyers should insist on a day-long course to cover them all (heck, my wife got a healthy electronics course when buying her $30K Subaru).<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Like the exterior, the interior is beautifully, simply crafted. A curved, hoodless 27-inch screen dominates the dash \u2014 12.3-inch digital instrument and 14.9-inch infotainment displays contained within. They are supported by wireless Android Auto so you can tell the car where to go (another hiccup: the native voice recognition system is inconsistent). Though BMW was a pioneer of remote rotary screen controllers 20 years ago, the brand now also offers touchscreen control for our smartphone era. I never used the controller (nor did anyone else who drove it) \u2014 an artifact that now takes up precious console room.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912532007-bmw-760-i-ottomanpayne.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne uses the 2023 BMW 760i ottoman feature.\" width=\"502\" height=\"283\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912532007-bmw-760-i-ottomanpayne.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912532007-bmw-760-i-ottomanpayne.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne uses the 2023 BMW 760i ottoman feature.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne uses the 2023 BMW 760i ottoman feature.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">That console space is helped by a small, exquisite glass shifter. Yes, glass. While BMW has been experimenting with a variety of polarizing exterior designs \u2014 10-story kidney grilles, Lego block M2s \u2014 its interior use of glass controls is beyond reproach. Check out the jewel-like glass seat controls on the 760i. They are as functional as they are beautiful.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\">\n<div class=\"label\" hidden=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"message\">\n<div class=\"title\">Get the\u00a0<span class=\"highlight\">Michigan Politics<\/span>\u00a0newsletter in your inbox.<\/div>\n<p class=\"description\">Washington and Lansing, red and blue, we&#8217;ve got your government covered.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frequency\">Delivery: Daily<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"input-container populated\"><input autocomplete=\"off\" name=\"email\" required=\"\" type=\"email\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clickable\"><\/div>\n<p><label>Your Email<\/label><\/div>\n<div id=\"bar\">\n<div class=\"highlight\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-primary\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-secondary\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But the real interior show is in the back seat. Literally.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In the front infotainment display (among the blizzard of apps) is a blizzard of modes to match your mood (SPORT, EXPRESSIVE, RELAX). One of those modes is THEATER.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Activate it and the entire rear seat turns into an Emagine cinema. A 31-inch screen (equipped to show movies, Fire TV channels and so forth) folds down from the roof. Blinds go down across the side and rear windows. If the front passenger seat is empty, the right rear-seat occupant can turn their seat into a Barcalounger to better enjoy the entertainment.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-4\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"3\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Access the mini-screens on the door handles (yes, the door handles have mini-screens), then choose the chair recline option, which not only collapses the front seat but activates an ottoman for your feet. Be sure and fluff up the pillow attached to the rear headrest. What, no drink bar?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912537007-bmw-760-i-rrseats.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The palatial rear quarters of the 2023 BMW 760i offer the best seat in the house.\" width=\"520\" height=\"293\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912537007-bmw-760-i-rrseats.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912537007-bmw-760-i-rrseats.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The palatial rear quarters of the 2023 BMW 760i offer the best seat in the house.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The palatial rear quarters of the 2023 BMW 760i offer the best seat in the house.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The rear passenger can further take control by activating seat massagers for the entire cabin. Kudos to one of my family members for discovering this feature while I was driving. Should the driver be annoyed by this intrusion, they can switch the massager off in their own front screen. Drivers are likely to be more annoyed by discovering they can no longer see out the back of the car thanks to the blind over the rear window. My tester did not come with a rearview camera mirror. A rare technical hiccup.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">There is no hiccup when it comes to power. Talk to boat companies and they demand big engines to handle the Great Lakes\u2019 multiple weather challenges \u2014 and to simply get their successful passengers where they need to go on time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The 760i sports a thumping, 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8 with 536 horsepower and enough torque to tow the Queen Mary. Mated to an eight-speed automatic, it\u2019s as smooth as you\u2019d expect from one of the world\u2019s premier engine makers. And the addition of rear-wheel-steer helps it carve sharp corners (and tight parking lots). Yet, the eight-holer \u2014 even in SPORT mode \u2014 seems as removed as the engines of cruise liners deep below decks.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912520007-bmw-760-i-engine.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The smooth, 4.4-liter turbo V-8 in the 2023 BMW 760i puts out 536 horsepower.\" width=\"458\" height=\"258\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912520007-bmw-760-i-engine.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/09\/20\/PDTN\/70912520007-bmw-760-i-engine.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The smooth, 4.4-liter turbo V-8 in the 2023 BMW 760i puts out 536 horsepower.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The smooth, 4.4-liter turbo V-8 in the 2023 BMW 760i puts out 536 horsepower.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Just like mega-yachts, the 760i comes with hands-free driving (on divided highways only), with a camera monitoring you from behind the instrument display to ensure you stay engaged. BMW trails Cadillac\u2019s Super Cruise, which is the best hands-free system I\u2019ve driven from Detroit to Charlevoix. The Bimmer performs similar tricks like auto lane changes but it hasn\u2019t mapped as much interstate as Super Cruise and the system cut out frequently during my journey. Neither does it have subtle features (innovated by Ford\u2019s BlueCruise and Tesla Autopilot) that automatically move your vehicle to the outside of the left-lane when passing large 18-wheelers.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-5\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"4\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">For a $150,000 land yacht, these are notable misses. Though most owners \u2014 especially those who will experience this vehicle entirely from the rear seat after hiring a skipper \u2014 will never explore its myriad features.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Instead, they will enjoy showing off their state-of-the-art craft, from its cabin glass sculptures to its lovely graphics interface to its luscious red leather seats (just like the ones in the Bimmer in the latest &#8220;Mission Impossible&#8221; movie).<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">If one of those owners invites you on deck for a tour, be sure to accept.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Next week:<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">2023 BMW 760i xDrive<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Vehicle type: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive five-passenger sports sedan<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Price: $114,595 base, including $995 destination ($149,045 as tested)<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Power plant: 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-6\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"5\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Power: 536 horsepower, 553 pound-feet of torque<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Transmission: eight-speed automatic<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Performance: 0-60 mph, 4.1 seconds (mfr.); 130 mph<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Weight: 5,095 pounds<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Fuel economy: EPA 18 mpg city\/26 mpg highway\/21 mpg combined<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong>Report card<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Highs: Technological showcase; powerful V-8<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Lows: Lags in self-driving tech; polarizing styling<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Overall: 3 stars<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Charlevoix\u00a0\u2014 The BMW 760i is a land yacht. Striking bow. Sumptuous living quarters. All the latest technological amenities that require a shelf of manuals to operate. A big ol\u2019 V-8 engine below decks to get you to your next port of call. Let me give you a tour. Like a yacht, I took the BMW\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,87],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31486"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31486"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31486\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31487,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31486\/revisions\/31487"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31486"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31486"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31486"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}