It's probably fair to say that most people are occasionally flummoxed by the relentless march of technology. Remember Bill Gates getting the infamous 'blue screen of death' at the launch of Windows 98? Even captains of industry can be taken out by the lack of a 'back' button, a menu screen that makes no sense or - the ultimate technical faux pas - changing the default language to Serbo Croat. The BMW 740i majors on technology but tries to make it accessible to all.

As somebody who's been reduced to a seething fit of purple rage by a Morphy Richards breadmaker, I can attest to the fact that technology occasionally frustrates. The most significant aspect of the development of the latest 7 Series has been BMW's innovative iDrive system, a set-up that dispenses with most of the previous car's 117 separate switches, levers and buttons in favour of a rotary dial that accesses a menu-based system that in turn flashes up on an LCD screen. At first it's desperately frustrating finding yourself adjusting the front/rear balance of the stereo when all you wanted was to demist the windscreen and your initial response may well be to wish you were in something more reliant on relays and solenoids.

Initially, BMW admitted that it probably took a couple of weeks to be able to get the best out of iDrive, partly explaining why those who used the system at length love it and why most motoring hacks who, it must be said, have an attention span shorter than Les Dennis' entry in Who's Who, abhor the thing. In the latest 7-Series, however, the system is less all encompassing with some key controls finding their way out of the computer system and back onto the dash. It's a definite improvement for the technologically challenged but far from the only one made to today's 7.

".the initially awkward user interface and that still slightly uneasy styling are the only barriers between the 740i and executive class perfection."

It'll take a keen eye to spot the latest exterior changes. They conform to the usual checklist of targets for mid-life facelifts, with the front grille and bumper being subtly altered as well as the headlamps. BMW claim that the enhancement of the bonnet's power dome gives the car a more powerful face, and the more boldly contoured bonnet does look a good deal more like the 5 Series, which can only be good. There are more subtle alterations on the flanks and rear but more salient are those that have taken place beneath that generously power domed hood.

When you ask £56,595 for a car it does seem to grate that not everything is right first time but the initially awkward user interface and that still slightly uneasy styling are the only barriers between the 740i and executive class perfection. The engine's power is up 13% on the unit in the superseded 735i to 302bhp and torque is also increased to 390Nm at 3,500rpm. What's more, despite the engine's greater capacity, fuel efficiency is increased by just under 1% to produce an average of 25.2mpg. The powerplant uses BMW's clever Valvetronic system; an engine design that does away with conventional throttles, the valves themselves dictating how much air reaches the combustion chamber. This means a cleaner and more efficient engine entirely without the somewhat odd 'hollow' throttle response of the smaller Valvetronic engines. Factor in such high-tech features as the world's first fully variable inlet manifold and variable timing on all four camshafts and you have something of a technological tour de force.

With 302bhp under the bonnet, the 740i will only detain you for 6.8 seconds on a sprint to 60mph whilst the top speed is electronically limited to 155mph. The status quo regarding driver's choices in this sector has been reinstated too, the 7 Series usurping Mercedes' three-year reign as the number one choice for those executives who don't want the chauffeur to have all the fun. As you'd expect from BMW, the driving characteristics are predictably superb. Dynamic Drive Control is an electro-hydraulic system that does clever things to the anti-roll bars of the 7 Series, artificially dictating the amount of body roll - none at low speed and a few degrees off kilter during more enthusiastic cornering to remind you where the electronics give way to sheer physics. The latest models also feature an updated chassis for better steering precision and ride quality while the suspension track is 14mm wider for greater stability.

Due to the fact that so many functions are marshalled by iDrive, the cabin of the Seven Series is the paragon of elegant, pared down design. Everything from the carphone, the satellite navigation and the audio system right through to changing the setting on the adaptive damping system from Comfort to Sport are controlled by iDrive, so you'd better put in the time to learn it. As you will have deduced, a conventional gear lever has been dispensed with in favour of the world's first six-speed automatic gearbox, evidence of which comes in the form of dinky chromed buttons on the steering wheel.

With second to none driving dynamics, an incredible engine, a user interface that gets better the longer you spend with it and next generation driving aids, the 740i moves the game forward. If you can live with the styling you'll probably be sold already. If not, here's one in the eye for the beholder.

TOP 2 7 SERIES DEALS

The results below show the top 7 SERIES deals on buyacar

	BMW 7 Series 740i 4dr Auto (Pre-model) Saloon
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £4,309	Price £53,586
	BMW 7 Series 740i Sport 4dr Auto (Pre-model) Saloon
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £4,640	Price £56,885