2011 BMW 740i / 740Li Announced for US - First 6-cylinder since 1992

2010 BMW 7-Series M Sport Package

BMW plans to sell the 2011 BMW 740i and the 2011 BMW 740Li sedan models in the U.S. The cars will use a six cylinder engine for the first time since 1992.

The two cars will hit U.S. showrooms in Spring 2010.

Using a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six aluminum engine, the driver will get the benefit of up to 315 horsepower and up to 330 ft-lb of torque. Under the BMW EfficientDynamics programme, the engine was designed with the concept of "virtual displacement," helping the company to develop a more powerful, more efficient unit. The variable-cam engine also utilizes direct fuel injection and brake energy regeneration, and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Power is sent to the rear wheels.

Optional equipment on the car will include M Sport, Driver Assistance, Individual Composition, Luxury Seating, and Rear Entertainment packages. Pricing on the 2011 BMW 740i and the 2011 BMW 740Li will be disclosed as the vehicle gets closer to a market launch.

Note: Vehicle pictured is 2010 BMW 7-Series with M Sport Package

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The 2011 BMW 740i and 740Li Sedans

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - December 16, 2009 2:00pm

Eastern ... As an exciting example of its EfficientDynamics engineering philosophy, BMW announced the North American debut of the 7 Series with a twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine. Featuring BMW's award-winning inline-6 engine that produces V-8 power on six-cylinder fuel consumption, the new BMW 740i and BMW 740Li achieve a remarkable balance of power, efficiency, and sporty driving dynamics. Both models will go on sale in the United States as 2011 models in Spring 2010. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

In 1977, the original BMW 7 Series was launched exclusively with inline-6 propulsion. The United States first met the BMW 7 Series in the 1978 model year as the 733i Sedan. The 733i featured a 3.2-liter inline-6 engine rated at 197 horsepower. The 733i remained on sale in America until it was replaced in 1985 by the BMW 735i Sedan. The 735i, which featured an updated inline-6 engine producing 218 horsepower from 3.4 liters, enjoyed a production run that lasted through the end of the 1992 model year. The 735i was joined by the extended-wheelbase 735iL in May of 1988.

A keystone of BMW's EfficientDynamics philosophy is "virtual displacement," the notion that BMW's modern engines of smaller displacement can equal or exceed the outputs of traditional engines of larger displacement and more cylinders. This principle is already seen in the BMW 750i model, which features a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine performing at the level of BMW's previous-generation V12 engine. Virtual displacement provides the power of a larger engine with the fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions signature of a smaller engine. The 2011 BMW 740i and 740Li feature BMW's internationally acclaimed twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine with up-rated output of 315 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 330 lb-ft of torque from 1600-4500 rpm. All-aluminum construction, High Precision direct fuel injection, Double-VANOS variable camshaft technology, and Brake Energy Regeneration are a few of the technologies used under the BMW EfficientDynamics philosophy to place the 740i and 740Li among the most powerful six-cylinder luxury sedans in the world. Delivering power to the rear wheels is BMW's 6-speed automatic transmission, well-known for fast, smooth gearshifts and an ability to intelligently adapt to the driver's style.

Both models will be available with the full complement of well-known 7 Series options and packages, including the M Sport Package, Driver Assistance Package, Luxury Seating Packages, Rear Entertainment Package, and even the BMW Individual Composition Package.

2011 BMW 740i / 740Li Pricing Announced for U.S.
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HEMI426

Good move, it's not underpowerd or anything

December 18, 2009 5:27 pm

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joelynn

if the american shun it because it isnt a good ol' V8 then they're fools

December 18, 2009 6:05 pm

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Xenicide

I love non Anericans trying to act like they actually know anything about America besides what their liberal news tells them.

December 18, 2009 6:22 pm

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2 replies

najdier

Non-Americans know more about America than Right-wing conservative Americans know about the world. Liberal Americans are generally better educated and knowledgeable about the world.

December 18, 2009 6:50 pm

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McNamara68

He's right, there's a reason these car makers don't import their full range of engines to the United States. MB makes all kinds of diesels and 4 cylinders that never make it stateside because Americans would never buy them. This is a country obsessed with excess. It's a country in which people need a Ford Triton V8 to grab a quart of whole milk at the grocery store.

December 18, 2009 9:33 pm

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wjaprep

i wish Mercedes wuld take a lesson from BMW (and Jaguar... and Audi) and bring a SWB S class to America

December 18, 2009 6:56 pm

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4 replies

pismeov

mercedes did do just that. the previous generation w220 s-clas (2006 MY)was offered in the states in a v6, short-wheelbase version. the americans in most mercedes car forums absolutely hated it, and the car did not sell well. they saw it as something that cheapened the flagship. and thus, with the new model year, the short-wheelbase w221 was no longer offered in the states. fortunately, canadians are more open to the idea of a smaller, more efficient s-class in the form of the short-wheelbase s450 which is still being sold today in their country. so if anything, mercedes already learned their lesson with dealing with the americans. don't give them the short s-class and the b-class, and give them the gl-class instead.

December 19, 2009 5:40 am

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wjaprep

Lol, true. but I LOVED the 2006 S350. I thought it was a good size, and IMO it looked better. And Ive seen the S450, you lucky Canadian bastards... Lol. Also, as an American, if they brought over the B class or anything less than the C class, yes, I would be upset.

December 19, 2009 12:59 pm

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pismeov

i actually like the b-class. i like the idea of it, i think mercedes just needs to revise it again to garner better acceptance. the b-class should be more luxurious to befit its marque. it needn't be bigger or anything, just have all the goodies that you would expect on a mercedes. and fortunately, the b-class does well here in canada. i see at least one everyday when i go out and i think it's a good way to start the climb in the mercedes brand. hell, in richmond, british columbia, they're as common as civics or glks (that latter makes me real happy as i'm an owner of a glk as well). everyone says that the b-class should go after the 1-series by making it sporty and less practical. i think otherwise. mercedes should make a proper c-coupe and not that horrendous clc-class that they have in europe (since the clk is no longer and was replaced by the e-coupe). let that car go after the 1-series, and let the b-class be their small, practical sports tourer. and knowing mercedes, add a blk-class alongside it to face the x1 since mercedes loves to exploit every possible segment that it can think of. and yes, i love the s450. maybe i'll get a used one one day.

December 19, 2009 4:37 pm

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wjaprep

Ive alweighs kinda liked the B class too... just the front and wheels makes me wheel... eh... im not sure. and I agree, I think the E class coupe shuld be more of an 6 series competiter and Mercedes should bring back the CLK as a 3 series competiter (im srry i cnt spell) oh yeah, btw, u got cool points for having a GLK. I have a 260E and C300 luxury.

December 23, 2009 9:42 pm

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LemieT

I agree with McNamara68 100%, if it isn't overdone and pointless, Americans won't have it...

December 18, 2009 11:05 pm

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nederina

Germans is on the rise when it comes to big engines since they are the only ones that produces powerful, torquest, greenest engine with great refinement. On top of that.. there's also the hybrid and the diesel technology. Americans have no choice but to buy them. Guess America's number one luxury car maker Lexus will eventually fall down the chart.

December 19, 2009 2:30 am

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mikemikemike

I disagree that Americans won't have it. As an American, the thought of a V8 sounds much better. Though this will have sufficent power, if I were trying to decide between this an d an s-class, that may be the final deciding factor. I don't think it's a bad thing to want too much power or a larger engine, or the best of everything. Oh well though I am American. Most of the developed countries have similar patters of consumption barring asians and tiny cars.

December 19, 2009 5:59 am

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1 reply

wjaprep

As an American I disagree, in America it's all baout what you have, and if having a 6 cylinder engine means you can say "I driver a 7 series" they will buy it.

December 19, 2009 12:57 pm

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greenvy

I can remember recently the 3rd gen GS with a V-8 (340hp) hardly sold at all. Compared to the V-6 that had great power about 306hp. Just like the Infinities that have the same offerings in each of their models. The same comparison could be made.

December 19, 2009 12:44 pm

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archytype

Make a V-8 model that costs 20% more than the v-6. 90% will be sold as v-6 and consumers will be happy. It is really about image here.

December 20, 2009 11:19 am

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