OFFICIAL: All-New BMW 7 Series Revealed with Tell-All Video

New Engines!

By Thami Masemola
July 5, 2008 2:00 AM
Filed Under: BMW, German

The euphoria currently surrounding the fifth generation new 2009 BMW 7 Series will go unchecked for a while to come, at least until the car is launched. In the UK this will be 15th November 2008. Still a while off, but if you cannot wait, read on.
7 Series as the epitome of BMW excellence, is meant to be the height of dynamic driving tool mashed with comfort levels associated with this competitive segment, as well as environment-friendly propositions. With all this in mind, BMW has created the 730D, which with its new engine, aims to overthrow any and every other rival of this level. The 3.0-litre turbo diesel has shed 5kg compared to its predecessor, thanks to all-aluminium construction. Yet it produces class-leading figures of 245 hp/180kW and 540Nm of torque, spread from 1,750 rpm to 3,000rpm. The 730D spits 192 g/km of CO2 , sprints to 62mph from naught in 7.2 seconds and tops off at 153 mph.

More stunning are figures delivered by the 740i/L and 750i/L. The former misleadingly uses the multi-award-winning 3.0-litre straight six engine (mated to a standard 6-speed automatic gearbox) famous for its two turbos to crank out 326 hp/ 240kW and a stump-pulling 450Nm. For the current range-topper (we are still a while away from 760i and at least a year and half away from the M7) the 750i/L, down was the way to go, from 4.8 to 4.4-litre V8. But this time again, two turbos assist in conjuring 407hp/ 300kW and a boat-hauling 600Nm in torque. Unlike the previous car with its gear stalk located behind the steering wheel, the use of X5/ X6/ 5 Series centrally-located gearlever ensures driver will be able to change gears too in semi-auto mode.

To help harness all this potency is Drive Dynamic Control, a system that lets the driver customize his/ her preferred suspension and other settings relating to driving style and comfort levels. A host of other technological marvels will accompany each new 7 Series, depending on options taken. For instance, the lane departure will be available as well as Integral Active Steering which allows the rear wheels to turn by up to 3 degrees for optimum parking ability and other advantages. iDrive has been simplified even further than what we saw in the facelift version of the car and features a ‘return’ function to take you back one step if you wish. Graphically it is advanced as well, and offers 3D visualisation. Just as one or four others in the market today, the 7 Series offers an internal 8G hard drive that can store up to 100 CDs – I guess depending on whether you have Jim Reeves or speeches by Margaret Thatcher in them – and can be accessed easily through iDrive.

Because I don’t have the whole Internet to explain the new BMW 7 Series I’ll stop here. But before I go, check out the video presentation of the car and enjoy motionally what it can do.

Source: BMW

Press Release (Click to expand)

THE NEW BMW 7 SERIES


The launch of the fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series sets a new benchmark in automotive luxury, technical innovation and class-leading driving dynamics, combined with emissions reducing and fuel saving technology.

The flagship of the BMW model range debuts in November with a host of world firsts and will initially be offered with a choice of three powerplants, one diesel and two petrol engines. The two petrol-powered cars will be offered with a long-wheelbase body too. All three engines produce more power yet use less fuel and produce less emissions than the models they replace.


Model                  Power hp Torque Nm Zero – 62mph Seconds Top Speed Mph Combined Mpg CO2 Emissions g/km
BMW 730d         245            540              7.2                                      153                        39.2                     192
BMW 740i          326            450              5.9                                       155*                      28.5                     232
BMW 740Li        326            450              6.0                                      155*                       28.2                     235
BMW 750i          407            600              5.2                                       155*                      24.8                     266
BMW 750Li       407             600              5.3                                      155*                       24.8                     266
* Electronically-limited.


The BMW 730d sets a new benchmark in terms of drivetrain performance. The new all-aluminium 3.0-litre straight-six cylinder diesel engine produces 245hp at 4,000rpm. Its effortless real world driving smoothness comes courtesy of a peak torque figure of 540Nm attained from 1,750rpm through to 3,000rpm.

The 2,993cc powerplant posts the lowest ever CO2 figure of any previous BMW 7 Series and it is also the most economical 7 Series ever. Its 192g/km emission figure is class-leading for conventionally powered luxury cars, while no other competitor comes close to its 39.2mpg combined consumption figure. It can accelerate from zero to 62mph in 7.2 seconds and has a 153mph top speed.

To put the BMW 730d’s competitive advantage in context this luxurious vehicle records near identical fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to the Mercedes C320CDi – a car that is two market segments below the 7 Series and is smaller and lighter than the BMW.

The impressive performance of the 730d is, in part, possible due to third-generation common-rail direct injection technology, incorporating piezo injectors, that operates at a peak pressure of 1,800 bar. This system ensures a near perfect combustion process. Weighing 185kgs the new six-cylinder diesel engine is also 5kgs lighter than its predecessor.

The BMW 730d is set to be the biggest seller in the UK, accounting for approximately 85 per cent of sales.

The BMW 750i and 750Li are the range flagships. The new 4,395cc V8 engine from the recently launched X6, featuring twin-turbochargers and high-precision direct injection technology, produces 407hp from 5,500rpm to 6,400rpm; impressive figures that are backed up by an equally stunning 600Nm of torque from 1,750rpm to 4,500rpm. Such breathtaking performance sees the BMW 750i accelerate from zero to 62mph in 5.2 seconds (5.3 seconds for the 750Li) before going on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. Consumption on the combined cycle is 24.8mpg, while CO2 emissions equate to 266g/km.

The all-aluminium V8 engine powering the 750i and 750Li also features its own world first - twin-turbochargers and catalysts that are placed within the V-space of the engine block. This not only optimises packaging but the reduction in manifold length and larger cross sections mean the engine breathes better for enhanced performance. Double-VANOS variable valve technology and high-precision direct injection technology further aid engine performance to the degree that all the innovations combine to offer a V8 engine that has an equivalent output of a traditional 12-cylinder unit.

Aimed at customers who prefer the characteristics of a petrol-powered BMW six-cylinder engine, the BMW 740i and 740Li are also offered. Using an internationally-acclaimed 2,979cc powerplant, the BMW 740i musters 326hp and 450Nm of torque for rapid yet serene performance. The twin-turbocharged engine features high-precision direct injection and Double-VANOS variable valve technology to achieve optimum performance. The car accelerates from zero to 62mph in 5.9 seconds (6.0 seconds for the 740Li) before going on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. The 3.0-litre BMW 740i and 740Li post combined fuel consumption figures of 28.5mpg and 28.2mpg respectively, while returning emissions figures of 232g/km and 235g/km.

All BMW 7 Series models come with a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

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Comments

autoque
July 5, 2008 2:11 AM
Why the six speed transmission? They already have a production ready eight speed!!! Also, Merc S-Class looks like it's put together better and tighter than the new 7 series in terms of exterior design.

odysseus
July 5, 2008 12:58 PM
is there an advantage over the 6 gear automatic? if not, there is no need for something

odysseus
July 5, 2008 1:01 PM
the merc looks ghastly in comparison with this BMW. since pfeiffer and now wagener is responsible for design, merc has absolutely no sense for good style.

benz_man
July 5, 2008 1:34 PM
Yes, advantage to the 8-speed would be fuel economy, acceleration, top speed and emissions.

greenacre
July 5, 2008 5:21 AM
BMW, true innovators.

Homerlovesbeer
July 5, 2008 8:23 AM
Looking at the original design sketches it seems that once again a decent design has been watered down to something resembling mediocrity.

The engines look fantastic....however I was hoping for a more luxurious feel to the interior..which just seems like an update to generic 1,3,5 series forms. Very plain for such an expensive vehicle.

odysseus
July 5, 2008 12:59 PM
more luxurious? in which way?

GranTurismo
July 5, 2008 11:16 AM
BMW = Ferrari in a tuxedo.

alessandro
July 5, 2008 9:03 PM
Yes in his 10-th year post-mortal condition may be: No mistakes, no ideas, no noise, no beauty and no bad -hhahahaha-language.

bakrione
July 6, 2008 2:13 PM
hahahahaaha thats the most ridiculous this iv heard in a long time!!

bakrione
July 6, 2008 2:13 PM
hahahahaaha thats the most ridiculous thing iv heard in a long time!!

Moko
July 5, 2008 12:03 PM
yep, im starting to like it, now cant wait for the 8 series lol

catchmyshadow
July 5, 2008 2:25 PM
simply boring and horrible, the E38 was the only 7-series that could claim to be among the best looking luxury cars back then, sporty and elegant. this one def. has the tec to be among the best but def. not the looks.

xenomorph
July 5, 2008 2:42 PM
I can't believe they have made a car that looks worse that the current 7 series. Its almost the same, with subtle differences that just make the car look revolting. I'm sure its great to drive and has lots of technology features in it, but when it looks this bad its not worth it.

GranTurismo
July 6, 2008 5:51 AM
??? Go check your eyes son!!!

kimbo
July 5, 2008 3:27 PM
i like the looks, it doesn't hurt my eyes as previous 7 series did. In dark colors this cars looks very classy and elegant. The interior looks fantastic, no doubt they're going to use decent materials.

alessandro
July 5, 2008 8:58 PM
Most gets bezirk but I think the Bangle's 5-series still better. That five' design bears sign of person with limited idiomaticy ofcourse but.... not in let say, clinical way. In same time that 7 is a dead-blunt.

Andres2007
July 5, 2008 11:12 PM
I'm a Merc guy but I think the interior design is the best of the segment (and the brand). It looks elegant, kind of retro in the sense that it doesn't continue the modern design language of the previous gen but follows that of the 1999 7 series, the materials seem to be excellent, and it looks kind of cozy, too.

As for the exterior design, I like the rear view but it borrows elements from the LS 460. The front view is not bad.

paultantk
July 6, 2008 2:54 AM
Isn't it 40GB instead of 8GB hard drive?

dbehmoaras
July 6, 2008 8:00 AM
oh my god the new 7 is amazing and i am so happy they got rid of the bangle butt

radmeister
July 6, 2008 8:14 PM
I really like it, and the way those eyelids light up is really neat. Should be a great car, don't know if it justifies buying this one brand new or saving yourself a few grand and getting the current version used.

DieselDog
July 7, 2008 1:53 AM
Great shape! I can see a bit of "shark nose" in the profile of the front of the car. The past-verticle grille makes me think of a 1980 320i. The tail lights are a bit on the large side, but have excellent detailing. The front light units have a menacing presence (if looks could kill, Jags and Mercs would not dare be stared down by the 7's lights...). The profile is stretched - and the rear is far better integrated than the bungled butt from the previous model. And that stance! W I D E ! I now have high hopes for the upcoming 5-series.

Reventon
July 7, 2008 4:46 AM
I must say this new 7 series bimmer its very nice, must have really good technology interior and driving. However, the rival of this car is Merc S-class, and my opinion the new S class it more luxurious and the inside features maybe are the same as the new 7 series but the S class has a better design and looks, I never said that the new 7 series is ugly, its just that the S class is still on top of these car. Example, S 65 AMG or the S 63 amg or the S 600

trekkerbin
July 7, 2008 6:54 AM
Now that I see the real images released, I don't really have any good comments for the new 7's exterior. Because the main idea of the car side line, big nose, conventional tunck looks don't add up to a brand new car to me. The interior is another mistake. I remember seeing the BMW interior designer, and he seemed to be a talented person to me. but if you want to say that there is luxury interior in this new 7? I serious doubt it????? I can accept the interior is more new fashioned, younger looking, simple, human friendly, but definitely not LUXURIOUS!!!! LUXURY is about the feeling of it, not by the brand new technology only. Take a look at Rolls-Royce, Bently, Maybach, evan Jaguar, maybe you can learn more from them.

michelin901
July 7, 2008 12:34 PM
im sure bmw dont want their interiors to be oozing luxury. the 7 is luxurious but in a minimal way. and as you said the design is clean and modern and will stay like that for a while to come rather than age fast. the s class seems to be following the same trend. i think this is a great car. oh and you do know that bmw makes rolls royces now rite?

benz_man
July 7, 2008 12:44 PM
The thing is, tactile feedback cant be translated through images. BMW is KNOWN for having some of the most premium materials in the business. However, they always dress it up in a minimalist way. Thats there thing. Oh, and there isn't ONE jaguar with a better interior than this. Sorry, try again...

Decypha
August 8, 2008 9:47 AM
i will reserve my full comments about the car's looks till I see it in metal. I just don't like the way you HAVE to look for something that you like in it's design though.

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