What Li Gets You

I'm not sure who will be shopping for a long-wheelbase 7 Series. Overseas, they're the executive car of choice, allowing busy CEOs a space to decompress between board meetings. Perhaps there are enough of these power brokers in the U.S. as well, because I can't imagine any affluent parent wanting to pamper even the most spoiled child with backseat digs that are far superior to the driver's in terms of plushness and technological gadgetry.

My test car had option packages checked off en masse. Besides the somewhat pedestrian seat-mounted dual LCD screens that can play a variety of media sources, from DVDs to iPods, there are automatic sunshades on the windows so you can watch a movie even when it's sunny. No matter what you're doing back there, though, the seats are what transform a ride in the 750Li into a luxurious undertaking.

Our tester had upgraded rear seats with ventilation, electronic adjustment and a massage feature. Yes, massaging seats. The giant head restraints felt softer than the four pillows I use in my bed. If I had to be chauffeured cross-country, I think I'd be just fine back there.

    See also:

    Controls
    At a glance At a glance 1 System on/off, interrupt 2 Resume speed 3 Store speed 4 Store, maintain/change speed Switching on Press the button on the steering wheel. The marking in the spee ...

    Twin-scroll turbocharging
    The new four-cylinder engines also feature twin-scroll turbocharging. This means that the exhaust stream from cylinders 1 and 4, and the exhaust stream from cylinders 2 and 3, follow separate spir ...

    Close the windows and glasssunroof
    Driving with the glass sunroof and windows open results in increased air resistance and raises fuel consumption. ...