BMW 7 Series Redesign In Depth

Press Release

Page 1 - Short Story
Page 2 - Facts and Figures
Page 3 - BMW 750i/Li and BMW 740i/Li
Page 4 - BMW 745d and BMW 730d
Page 5 - BMW 730i/Li
Page 6 - BMW 760i/Li
Page 7 - Chassis and Suspension
Page 8 - Design
Page 9 - iDrive Control Concept
Page 10 - New Equipment

Short Story:
The most successful BMW 7 Series of all times now ready for the second half of its model cycle

Driving dynamics and sporting performance enhanced significantly, luxury and presence further refined.

Starting in spring 2005, the most successful 7 Series in the history of BMW is once again setting the standard in the luxury performance class: With significantly enhanced performance on the same - to a certain extent even lower - fuel consumption, with optimised suspension features, the enhanced iDrive control system, and with equipment raised to a new, unprecedented level, the BMW 7 Series is once again substantiating its claim to leadership.

Refinement in design visibly expresses the car's enhanced driving dynamics and sporting performance at very first sight, unmistakable presence giving the BMW 7 Series its very own, elegant and charismatic character, as before.

Five out of six engines either new or thoroughly updated.

With the exception of the top-of-the-range V12 power unit in the BMW 760i/Li, the BMW 7 Series features a largely new range of power units as of spring 2005. Looking first at the models with an eight-cylinder petrol engine, the BMW 750i/Li and the BMW 740i/Li are replacing the former BMW 745i/Li and BMW 735i/Li. The BMW 740d is making way for the BMW 745d with its all-new eight-cylinder diesel engine, and the straight-six diesel power unit of the BMW 730d has been fundamentally revised and updated. The entry-level BMW 730i/Li, finally, now comes with the straight-six petrol engine featuring a composite magnesium/aluminium crankcase carried over from the BMW 630i.

Six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic is standard on all models.

All engines excel through their high output per litre, their wide useful speed range, their "beefy" torque curve, excellent running refinement and moderate fuel consumption.

BMW 750i/Li and 740i/Li: More power on the same fuel as before.

The key power units driving BMW's luxury saloon featured in more than 60 per cent of all BMW 7 Series worldwide - the superior and refined eight-cylinder petrol engines with fully variable VALVETRONIC valve drive - now come with even larger capacity than before, develop maximum output of 270 kW/367 hp and, respectively, 225 kW/306 hp, and offer peak torque of 490 Nm/361 lb-ft and, respectively, 390 Nm/287 lb-ft. And despite this significant increase in engine output and torque, naturally offering a far higher standard of performance, fuel consumption remains almost unchanged.

BMW 745d and 730d: A quantum leap in diesel engine technology. 

Introducing the all-aluminium crankcase, third-generation common rail technology complete with piezo-injection, and naturally complying with the EU4 emission norm with a particle filter fitted as standard, BMW is taking a quantum leap in diesel engine technology in the 7 Series: The eight-cylinder diesel engine in the BMW 745d is an all-new development - and with maximum output of 220 kW/300 hp as well as peak torque of 700 Nm/516 lb-ft all the way from 1,750-2,500 rpm, this engine sets the new benchmark in luxury saloons powered by a V8 diesel.

The high-torque straight-six diesel in the BMW 730d, in turn, which has been thoroughly revised and updated from the ground up, now develops maximum output of 170 kW/231 hp and peak torque of 520 Nm/383 lb-ft from 2,000-2,750 rpm.

The weight of the power units in the BMW 745d and 730d is down, thanks to the all-aluminium crankcase, by 30 and, respectively, 25 kg (66/55 lb), giving the two diesel models a new standard of agility and driving dynamics for a diesel in the luxury class.

Fuel consumption of both models has been further reduced despite
the significant increase in power and torque.

BMW 730i/Li: Straight-six petrol engine with composite magnesium/aluminium crankcase.

BMW's new straight-six petrol engine with its composite magnesium/ aluminium crankcase and fully variable VALVETRONIC valve drive first introduced in the BMW 630i is now also available in the 7 Series. This engine offers not only the highest output per litre, but also the best power-to-weight ratio in its class, and therefore ranks unique as the most innovative petrol engine currently built in a large production series.

No less than 10 kg or 22 lb lighter than its predecessor, the new power unit develops 190 kW/258 hp, plus maximum torque of 300 Nm/221 lb-ft, consuming 4.7 per cent less fuel than the previous 730i, despite the increase in engine output by 12 per cent. 

BMW 760i/Li: Twelve-cylinder power unit with a unique combination of direct petrol injection and VALVETRONIC.

Launched only a short time ago in 2003 in the BMW 760i/Li, the 12-cylinder power unit remains unchanged, with engine output, as before, of 327 kW/445 hp and maximum torque of 600 Nm/442 lb-ft. With its combination of four-valve technology, VALVETRONIC, double-VANOS and direct petrol injection, the BMW 760i/Li remains absolutely unique in the world market, VALVETRONIC being the major factor ensuring the engine's very high level of fuel economy under part load. Direct fuel injection, in turn, serves to increase both torque and output.             

New engines as part of BMW's power unit initiative for a supreme driving experience on the road: More power, greater efficiency, enhanced fuel economy, lower emissions.

Together with its ongoing model initiative, BMW is also taking an engine initiative highlighting the outstanding skills and competence of the Company in building extremely powerful engines leading in technology in every respect.

Examples of this superiority last year were the new 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine with its composite magnesium/aluminium crankcase, the 3.0-litre straight-six diesel with Variable Twin Turbo Technology in the BMW 535d, and, of course, the 5.0-litre V10 high-speed power unit in the BMW M5.

In the development of new power units, BMW's engineers carefully consider all parameters and components for their potentials, at the same time
querying virtually all conventional principles. The result is innovative materials, new machining processes, and optimised procedures in production. The BMW customer, in turn, receives far more powerful, lighter and cleaner engines offering a significantly higher standard of fuel economy. This is clearly borne out also by the engines now being introduced on a broad scale in the BMW 7 Series and ensuring an even more superior driving experience.

Efficient Dynamics: Overcoming conventional conflicts of interest.

Increasing engine output and torque while reducing fuel consumption, enhancing agility and nimble performance, and intensifying the experience of driving dynamics enjoyed by the customer: This is what BMW refers to as "Efficient Dynamics", the guiding principle underlying all BMW developments and innovations also in engine construction.

In a nutshell, Efficient Dynamics means consistently solving and eliminating conflicts of interest, since in conventional terms more power also means more fuel, more comfort means more weight, which again means more fuel, and so on and so forth. Particularly in the case of large luxury saloons such as the BMW 7 Series, solving such conflicts of interest is an especially great and demanding challenge.

BMW is able to escape this ongoing spiral through the use of intelligent materials and systems - for example with aluminium giving the chassis and suspension of the 7 Series its light-footed, nimble behaviour. Or through
the use of magnesium again a lot lighter than aluminium on the crankcase of BMW's innovative 3.0-litre petrol engine now also featured in the 7 Series.

Another outstanding example is the intensive research on hydrogen drive BMW has been pursuing for decades, again contributing to the concept of efficient dynamics. Indeed, a BMW 7 Series running on this environmentally-friendly fuel will be introduced into the market in the next few years as a series production model.

Optimised chassis and suspension - three suspension packages straight from the factory.

The BMW 7 Series featuring an aluminium suspension as standard offers supreme steering precision, exceptional agility, and well-balanced driving characteristics. As a result, the chassis and suspension of the 7 Series combines superior agility and sporting performance, on the one hand, with supreme comfort, on the other, thus offering the best of both worlds in every respect.

The chassis and suspension of the BMW 7 Series has now been updated and enhanced to an even higher standard. Apart from track wider by 14 millimetres or 0.55´´ and the enhanced axle kinematics both ensuring a positive influence on the car's driving dynamics, BMW is introducing an even wider range of choice and customisation on the chassis and suspension. In future, therefore, the customer will be able to choose from one standard suspension
set-up and two suspension packages with different qualities and features:

•      The upgraded and further enhanced series suspension continues to offer the superior dynamics and comfort in that unique balance so typical of BMW.

•      The high-end Adaptive Drive suspension now combines Dynamic Drive with BMW's EDC-C continuously adjustable damper control system, thus offering an unprecedented synthesis of supreme driving dynamics and maximum comfort on the road. Dynamic Drive almost completely eliminates body sway in bends and once again improves the car's steering behaviour on the road through the use of fully variable anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles. EDC-C, in turn, consistently adjusts damper characteristics to changing road, load and driving conditions, ranging from very comfortable to sporting and firm.

•      The Sports Package combines the sports set-up of the suspension with Dynamic Drive for a sporting driving experience dedicated to the genuine enthusiast.

As a result, BMW offers the widest choice of suspension control systems in the luxury saloon segment, naturally also including enhanced brakes reflecting the higher level of power and performance.

Refinement in Design: Even more sporting and dynamic, with unmistakable presence and elegance.

The enhanced performance and dynamic qualities of the BMW 7 Series ensured by the new engines are appropriately reflected by suitable refinements in design. Apart from the new, striking powerdome in the engine compartment lid, the kidney grille, the headlights and the front air dam have all been discreetly revised at the front end of the car. The rear, in turn, is characterised by surfaces and body panels with even clearer contours, a new chrome trim strip, modified tail lights and the re-designed rear air dam. At the side the even more pronounced light contour in the side-sills emphasizes the enhanced sportiness and dynamic character of the BMW 7 Series.

In all, therefore, BMW's luxury performance saloon preserves its powerful presence and clearly stands out on the road through its charismatic, elegant and truly unique appearance.

Inside the car, the unique feeling of luxury and peaceful tranquility has been further refined by the choice of materials and colours, the control elements taking up the main lines of the instrument panel. So again, the interior of the 7 Series is now even more luxurious and sophisticated in its style than before.

The iDrive Control Concept: Refined in its details and even more user-friendly than before.

BMW's iDrive control concept introduced by BMW in 2001 as a truly revolutionary philosophy in motoring copied several times in the meantime, has now been further refined in its details for an even higher standard of user-friendliness. In the process the ergonomically sensible combination of single-button control and the display monitor positioned in the top middle of the instrument panel has been consistently improved to an ongoing standard.

No other system in the market allows the driver to focus more consistently
on driving conditions and the traffic around him than BMW's iDrive control system.

The essential highlights of the updated iDrive control system in the BMW 7 Series are optimised menu guidance in the Control Display, revised menu presentation, and direct access to various entertainment functions, in particular direct selection of the audio source and the radio frequency band.

New features for extra safety, comfort and individual style.

Starting in spring 2005, the BMW 7 Series offers an even wider range of standard equipment and customisation options:

•      Xenon headlights and the headlight washer system are now standard on all models in the 7 Series. Adaptive Headlights remain an option.

•      White direction indicators are now also standard.

•      All BMW 7 Series now come with BMW's two-stage Brake Force Display: Whenever the driver applies the brakes harder than usual, motorists following from behind will be warned by larger and brighter brake lights.

•      With digital terrestrial television becoming increasingly popular, the BMW 7 Series is now also available with a DVB-T television set. Apart from receiving analogue television signals, the TV is
therefore now also in a position to receive digital television stations.

•      The optional CD changer is now also able to run MP3s.

•      The BMW Assist telematics service as well as the BMW Online internet portal both come as standard on all cars featuring a telephone and navigation system (only in markets where BMW Assist and BMW Online are offered).

 

•      Last but not least, the updated BMW 7 Series now offers a choice of four new paintwork and three new upholstery colours, as well as two new 18-inch wheels and one new set of 19-inch wheels.

Driving dynamics and sporting performance, luxury, presence
and elegance: The most successful 7 Series in the history of BMW.

Accounting for almost 160,000 units delivered to customers worldwide, the fourth-generation 7 Series is BMW's most successful luxury saloon so far. After 38 months in the market, the current 7 Series has outsold its - already very successful - predecessor by almost 8 per cent. And accounting for 57,899 units sold worldwide in 2003 alone, the BMW 7 Series in its best year so far outperformed the former model in its best year (1997) by almost 14 per cent.

In Germany the BMW 7 Series was the best-selling luxury saloon in 2004, and growth of BMW 7 Series sales in Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Oceania, and Africa has been truly impressive: Compared with its predecessor, the current 7 Series has more than doubled its sales volume within its lifecycle so far of 38 months.

Introducing the current 7 Series, BMW has succeeded in establishing a firm position in the luxury segment also in these up-and-coming markets, catching up with other regions where the 7 Series has always been strong by tradition - in particular Europe and North America.

Worldwide, the BMW 745i/Li featuring BMW's large V8 power unit is the best-selling model, accounting for more than 50 per cent of all sales. The long-wheelbase version, in turn, makes up more than half of all BMW 7 Series sold.

The BMW 7 Series combines two cars in one: On the one hand it is a genuine BMW with the virtues typical of the brand such as driving pleasure, agility, and nimble handling simply perfect for the ambitious self-driving customer. On the other hand the BMW 7 Series is a representative luxury saloon with very generous space and supreme comfort both front and rear, making the 7 Series the ideal saloon for driving with a chauffeur at the wheel.

More than any other car in the market, the 7 Series offers that Sheer Driving Pleasure so typical of the brand not only in the classic sense of the word, but also in an even broader manner, offering the customer the sheer joy of being driven, too. Indeed, it is precisely this perfect blend of two worlds which customers appreciate particularly about BMW's luxury saloon, making this car the most successful 7 Series of all times.