Although the V8 isn't overly endowed with displacement, it makes plenty of power that the transmission and independent suspension put to good use. BMW claims 0 to 60 mph in 7 seconds, and we found those numbers to be accurate in our test drive.

This is, of course, a league-leading luxury car. But it is also a BMW and in every BMW beats the heart of a sports sedan. We're looking at a 4145 lb. vehicle here, so it isn't something you can pitch and toss through curves and around turns. But it is flat, stable and very reassuring when pushed, and never feels like more than two tons of car.

The ride could never be called soft: BMW doesn't have that word in its dictionary. But it is comfortable, while firm and controlled. And the suspension eats road irregularities much the way a teenager chows on cheeseburgers.

We did 350 intense miles in our test car one afternoon on the beautiful and challenging roads in the Ozarks. At the end of the day, we were suitably impressed with the car's over-the-road manners. And thanks to the comfortable, luxurious leather seating in the 740i, we were more than ready for another 350 miles.