BMW 7 Series

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BMW 7 Series
BMW 750i
Manufacturer BMW
Production 1977–present
Assembly Dingolfing, Germany
Predecessor BMW New Six
Class Full-size luxury car
Body style(s) 4-door sedan
Layout FR layout

The BMW 7 Series is a line of full-size luxury vehicles produced by the German automaker BMW. It replaced the "New Six" models in 1977. It is BMW's flagship car and is only available as a sedan.

There have been four generations of the 7 Series:

Contents

[edit] E23 (1977–1986)

E23
BMW E23
Production 1977-1986
Engine(s) 3.2 L I6
3.4 L I6
2.5 L I6
2.8 L I6
3.0 L I6
3.3 L I6
3.5 L I6
Transmission(s) 4-speed automatic
Main article: BMW E23

Models offered:

  • 725i
  • 728, 728i, 728iS
  • 730, 730i
  • 732i
  • 733i
  • 735i
  • 745i Turbo (745i in South Africa)
  • L7


[edit] E32 (1987–1994)

E32
BMW 740iL
Production 1987-1994
Engine(s) 3.0 L 188 hp I6

3.0 L 218 hp V8
3.4 L 248 hp I6
4.0 L 286 hp V8

5.0 L 299 hp V12
Transmission(s) 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
Wheelbase 111.5 in (Base)
116 in (Middle & Top End)
Length 193.3 in (Base)
197.8 in (Middle & Top End)
Width 72.6 in
Height 55.6 in (Base)
55.1 in (Middle & Top End)
Fuel capacity 21.5 US gal (Base)
23.8 US gal (Middle)
24 US gal (Top End)
Main article: BMW E32

The E32 was introduced in 1987, with the 730i and 735i featuring 3.0 L and 3.5 L straight-6 engines respectively, and a new, 5.0 L, 300 horsepower V12 engine for the 750i. In 1992, 3.0 L and 4.0 L V8 engines were added to the lineup (730i and 740i). All models were also available in a stretched 'L' version, which had 10 cm of extra legroom for the rear passengers. See BMW E32 article for more information.

Model Engine Code Engine Type Displacement (cc) Power (BHP) Torque (NM) 0-100 km/h (s) Years made
730i M30 I6 12V 2986 188 @ 5800 260 @ 4000 9.3 (man) / 10.6 (aut) 1986-1994
735i M30 I6 12V 3430 248 @ 4900 380 @ 4000 7.4 (man) / 7.8 (aut) 1986-1992
730i V8 M60 V8 32V 2997 218 @ 5800 290 @ 4500 8.5 (man) / 9.3 (aut) 1992-1994
740i M60 V8 32V 3982 286 @ 5800 400 @ 4500 7.4 (aut) 1992-1994
750i M70 V12 24V 4988 299 @ 5200 450 @ 4100 7.4(aut) 1987-1994

Figures may differ slightly for stretched and/or international versions (for instance, the 750i was rated at 296 BHP in the USA)


[edit] E38 (1995–2001)

E38
1998 E38 Dinan BMW 750iL
Production 1994-2001
Engine(s) 4.4 L 282 hp V8
5.4 L 322 hp V12
5.4 L 326 hp V12
Transmission(s) 5-speed automatic
5-speed manual
Wheelbase 120.9 in
115.4 in (base only)
Length 201.7 in
196.2 in (base only)
Width 73.3 in
Height 56.1 in
56.5 in (base only)
Main article: BMW E38

The E38 generation (1995-2001) had a five-speed automatic. The engine variants in Europe were 725tds, 728i, 730i, 730d, 735i, 740i (4.0 and 4.4 L), 740d and 750i (with a 5.4 L 322 bhp [240 kW] engine, as was used in the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph).

In the Americas, the models were sold as the 740i, 740iL and 750iL. The 740i and 740iL share the same 4.4 L V8 engine. The 740iL is essentially a long-wheelbase 740i (hence the "L" in the model name). The considerably rarer 5.4 L V12-powered 750iL was only available as a long-body; there was no E38 750i in the US lineup. The 750iL was BMW's flagship sedan.

[edit] E65/E66 (2001–present)

Main article: BMW E65/E66
E65/E66
E65 BMW 745Li
Production 2001-present
Engine(s) 4.4 L 325 hp V8
4.8 L 360 hp V8
6.0 L 438 hp V12
4.4 L 500 hp V8
Transmission(s) 5-speed automatic
6-speed automatic
Wheelbase 117.7 in (SWB)
123.2 in (LWB)
Length 198 in (2002-05 E65)
203.5 in (2002-05 E66)
198.4 in (2006-present E65)
203.9 in (2006-present E66)
Width 74.9 in
Height 58.7 in
58.4 in (2006-present LWB)
58.1 in (Alpina B7)

The current 7 Series is available on two different platforms: the standard-wheelbase E65 (2990 mm, 118 in) and the extended-wheelbase E66 (3130 mm, 123 in).

The E65/E66 7 Series features BMW's first of a kind iDrive system, consisting of a video screen in the dashboard and a controller mounted on the center console that is used in a similar way to a computer mouse. Using a system of eight menus, most of the car's climate, audio, navigation, suspension and communication settings are controlled via iDrive. However, the system has been criticized by many automotive writers as being too complex and not intuitive enough.

"Active" Seat continuous passive motion technology is made standard equipment on the 750/760 models and included in the Luxury Seating Package with heated and ventilated seats for driver and front passenger on the 745 models.

The car has been available in twelve variants[1]—of those, 11 are now in production and on sale in Europe, with four available in the U.S. since diesel models are not yet available there.

Engine Power Torque 0–100 km/h* Top speed
730i 3.0 L petrol (gasoline) I6 170 kW (231 bhp DIN) 300 N·m (221 lbf·ft) 8.1 s 237 km/h (147 mph)
730Li 3.0 L petrol (gasoline) I6 170 kW (231 bhp DIN) 300 N·m (221 lbf·ft) 8.3 s 237 km/h (147 mph)
730d 3.0 L diesel I6 170 kW (231 bhp DIN) 520 N·m (383 lbf·ft) 7.8 s 238 km/h (148 mph)
730Ld 3.0 L diesel I6 170 kW (231 bhp DIN) 520 N·m (383 lbf·ft) 7.9 s 238 km/h (148 mph)[2]
735i/735Li** 3.6 L petrol (gasoline) V8 200 kW (272 bhp DIN) 360 N·m (266 lbf·ft) 7.5 s 250 km/h (155 mph)***
740d 3.9 L diesel V8 190 kW (258 bhp DIN) 600 N·m (442 lbf·ft) 7.5 s 250 km/h (155 mph)***
745d 4.4 L diesel V8 242 kW (330 bhp DIN) 750 N·m (553 lbf·ft) 6.6 s 250 km/h (155 mph)***
745i/745Li** 4.4 L petrol (gasoline) V8 245 kW (333 bhp DIN) 450 N·m (332 lbf·ft) 6.3 s 250 km/h (155 mph)***
760i 6.0 L petrol (gasoline) V12 327 kW (445 bhp DIN) 600 N·m (442 lbf·ft) 5.5 s 250 km/h (155 mph)***
760Li 6.0 L petrol (gasoline) V12 327 kW (445 bhp DIN) 600 N·m (442 lbf·ft) 5.6 s 250 km/h (155 mph)***

*0–62 mph
**Performance numbers for the 735i and 735Li are identical, and those for the 745i and 745Li are identical.
***All roadgoing BMWs have an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

In America, only the 750i, 750Li and 760Li are available from BMW dealerships. The 730i, 730d, 740i, 740d Turbodiesel and their long wheelbase counterparts are available in the rest of the world, in addition to the short wheelbase 760i.

In US:

  • 2002-2005 745i - 4.4 L V8, 325 hp.
  • 2002-2005 745Li - 4.4 L V8, 325 hp.
  • 2006- 750i - 4.8 L V8, 360 hp.
  • 2006- 750Li - 4.8 L V8, 360 hp.
  • 2004-2006 760i - 6.0 L V12, 438 hp.
  • 2003- 760Li - 6.0 L V12, 438 hp.


[edit] 2006

The 7 Series was facelifted for 2006 with a restyled front and rear and a larger range of engines, the N62B48.

The twice-refreshed 7 Series sports a new taillight and reduced height for the trunk lid. The front headlight and the kidney grille was also raised somewhat, as well as a new front air dam and fog light assembly.

Engine Power Torque 0–100 km/h* Top speed
750i 4.8 L petrol (gasoline) V8 270 kW (367 bhp DIN) 490 N·m (361 lbf·ft) 5.9 s 250 km/h (155 mph)**[3]
750Li 4.8 L petrol (gasoline) V8 270 kW (367 bhp DIN) 490 N·m (361 lbf·ft) 6.0 s 250 km/h (155 mph)**[4]
760Li 6.0 L petrol (gasoline) V12 327 kW (445 bhp DIN) 600 N·m (444 lbf·ft) 5.6 s 250 km/h (155 mph)**[5]

*0–62 mph
**All roadgoing BMWs have an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. This limitation does not however apply to the GCC specification models.

BMW 745iL E66
BMW 745iL E66

The 4.4 L V8 was replaced by a 4.8 L unit producing 367 hp (270 kW) and 361 ft·lbf (490 N·m). The new model with the enlarged engine is now known as 750i and 750Li (for the long wheel-base model). The 750i and 750Li replace the 745i and 745Li in all world markets. The 745d, powered by a 4.4 L turbodiesel producing 329 hp (242 kW) has replaced the 740d. As before, a six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic is standard on all models.

[edit] 2007

In 2007 the 7 series received minor updates both inside and out. On the exterior, new wheel designs were made available and power folding mirrors became standard. On the inside, an update to the iDrive system (but still no RTTI: Real Time Traffic Info) was also made standard. 2007 also saw the installation of an auxiliary input for connecting an audio source. Engine options remained the same as with the 2006 model, but the short wheelbase 760i, was no longer available for the North American market.

[edit] Hydrogen 7

BMW plans to offer a car that runs on both petrol and hydrogen, to be called the Hydrogen 7. Drivers will be able to switch what fuel they are using with the push of a button. However, only 100 will be built in total.[1]

[edit] Future

The BMW 7 Series will undergo its next redesign and facelift in 2008 which is thought to be a "Baby Roller", with the new model going on sale in early 2009. This is the only luxury vehicle in the world slated to offer petrol, diesel, hybrid and a hydrogen powertrain[citation needed]. Test mules are reportedly equipped with new, twin-turbo V8 engines producing 500 horsepower (370 kW).

Images of the new 7 Series appeared on the internet on the April 5, 2008. The car now appears to have moved away from the Bangle design to a more classic look. It will also feature a new iDrive system as well as an eight-speed automatic transmission. [2] Some updates for the future 7-Series include:

   * Twin-turbo V12 engine
   * Twin-turbo V8 engine
   * 8 Speed transmission
   * Four square pipes for the high-end model
   * Two Square Pipes for the V8
   * Four-wheel steering(optional)
   * All-wheel drive(optional in the future)
   * Dynamic Performance Control
   * An improved iDrive Navigation System
   * ConnectedDrive
   * Driver orientated console coming back
   * New BMW exterior colors: Sophisto Grey , Cashmere Silver, Imperial Blue , Mineral White[3]

[edit] Self-Parking System

BMW has developed a parking-assist technology that can park your car for you while you stand outside the car and watch as the internal robotics park it using a combination of sensors. A prototype of the system has been completed and a demo video was recorded using a BMW 730i.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Coming soon: Hydrogen-powered BMW - Sep. 12, 2006
  2. ^ 2009 BMW 7-series spy photos. CarAdvice (5 April 2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-08.
  3. ^ http://www.bmwblog.com/2008/06/03/latest-information-and-photos-on-the-new-bmw-7-series/

[edit] Other links

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Small family 1 Series E36/5 E46/5 E81 / E82 / E87 / E88
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