BMW 7 Series

BMW 7 Series
Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Production	1977–present
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car (F)
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW New Six

The BMW 7 Series is a full-size luxury sedan produced by the German automaker BMW since 1977. It is the successor to the BMW E3 "New Six" sedan and is currently in its sixth generation.

The 7 Series is BMW's flagship car and is only available as a sedan or extended-length limousine. It traditionally introduces technologies and exterior design themes before they trickle down to smaller sedans in BMW's lineup.^[1]

The first generation 7 Series was powered by straight-6 petrol engines, and following generations have been powered by straight-6, v8 and v12 engines with both natural aspiration and turbocharging. Since 1995, diesel engines have been included in the 7 Series range.

First generation (E23; 1977–1986)

BMW 735i (E23) sedan (Australia)

BMW 735i (E23) sedan (Australia)

The E23 is the first generation of the 7 Series, produced. Replacing the BMW E3 large sedan, the E23 was produced for ten years from 1977 to 1987 and was replaced by the BMW E32 7 Series in 1986.

Second generation (E32; 1986–1994)

BMW 740iL sedan

BMW 7 Series (E32) sedan

In July 1986,^[2] BMW introduced the second generation 7 Series, the E32. Some luxury options included integrated telephone and fax machines, a wine cooler, double glazing, traction control system, and a system that automatically increased spring pressure on the windscreen wipers, to keep them firmly pressed on the glass at Motorway speeds. The top-line E32 750iL was the first car in the world to offer High-Intensity Discharge headlamps.^[3][4]

Initially the engine choices were all six-cylinder petrol, as per the previous generation. In 1987 a V12 engine was introduced. In 1992, V8 engines were added to the lineup (730i and 740i). The E32 (750i) was the first car adhering to BMW's self-imposed speed limit of 250 km/h (155.37 mph).

The E32 also introduced the extended wheelbase version (indicated by an 'L' from German Lang, after the model number) with extra rear leg room compared to the standard 7-series.

Third generation (E38; 1994–2001)

BMW 7 Series (E38)

BMW 735i sedan (Australia)

The third generation E38 was produced between 1994–2001. It was the first 7-series to be available with a diesel engine and the first to have the option of a five-speed automatic transmission. BMW was also the first European car manufacturer to offer an integrated satellite navigation screen which featured on the E38 7 Series.

In the U.S. two engine options were available, a 4.0l (later revised to a 4.4l) V8 (740) and a V12 option (750).

BMW's flagship sedan was the E38 750il Armored. It was featured in the 1997 film Tomorrow Never Dies as the car driven by James Bond (Pierce Brosnan).^[5]

BMW's E38 735i was featured in the 2002 film The Transporter driven by Jason Statham.

Fourth generation (E65/E66/E67/E68; 2002–2008)

BMW 740Li (E66) sedan

Facelift BMW 730d (Germany)

The fourth generation E65 7 Series was produced from 2001 to 2008 (released as 2002–2008 models). The Hydrogen 7 is the first production BMW to be powered by hydrogen. Although previous generations of the 7 Series had long-wheelbase and protection variants, the E65 was the first iteration to use specific chassis codes for each version. E65 was the designation of the standard-wheelbase version, E66 was the long-wheelbase version, E67 of the high-security (armored) version and E68 of the Hydrogen 7.

The BMW 745i/Li (2002–2005) models featured a 4.4L V8 engine outputting 325 hp. Later on, the BMW 750i/Li (2006–2008) models featured a slightly more powerful 4.8L V8 engine outputting 360 hp. Moreover, the BMW 760i/Li (2002–2005) and 760Li (2006–2008) features a vastly more powerful, performance-tuned 6.0L V12 engine with 438 hp.

The E65 generated more controversy, due to its radical styling and iDrive user difficulties. Nonetheless, the E65 broke records to become the best-selling 7 Series iteration ever, especially after its 2006 facelift. The E65/66 has been a subject of various media forms in pop culture during the early 2000s.

Fifth generation (F01/F02; 2008–2015)

BMW 730d xDrive (F01

2009 BMW 750i (USA)

The fifth generation F01/F02 went on sale in November 2008. The F01/F02 was the first 7 Series available with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. It is the first 7 Series where all engines are turbocharged. (except for markets like Thailand where the 730Li remains non-turbocharged) The ActiveHybrid7 was the first 7 Series to use an electric motor.

The front suspension is a double wishbone design, instead of the MacPherson struts used on previous generations.

It is in this generation that BMW changed the nomenclature from E to F01, thereby making it the first BMW to have so.

Also the model numbers have been changed for the new engine lineup - 730d/Ld for the 3.0l inline six 258 bhp diesel, ActiveHybrid 7 for the 3.0l inline six 310 bhp petrol hybrid, 750i/Li for the 4.4l V8 473 bhp petrol, 750d/Ld for the 3.0l inline six 385 bhp triple turbo diesel and 760Li for the 6.0l V12 544 bhp petrol.

All the engines are twin turbocharged for maximum efficiency and power.

For 2014 it received BMW's new second generation iDrive touchpad.

Sixth generation (G11/G12; 2016–present)

BMW 7 Series (G11)

The sixth generation of the 7 Series was revealed on June 10, 2015 at BMW's headquarters in Munich.^[6] The G11 and G12, which is the codename for the extended wheelbase model, are the first passenger vehicles of BMW to be based on the modular BMW CLAR platform (cluster architecture).^[7] As development was heavily focused on reducing weight and increasing structural strength, the body construction uses a combination of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), high-tensile steel and aluminium. The suspension received air springs at both axles that are adjustable with electronic shock absorbers.

The powertrain line-up consists of a 4.4 litre V8 and three engines from BMW's modular B-series engine architecture – two 3.0 litre inline-six engines in petrol and diesel form, as well a 2.0 litre inline-four engine for the plug-in hybrid model known as 740e. Initially, each engine will be available with an 8-speed automatic transmission that can be linked with the satellite navigation system.

The latest version of the lengthy saloon car features a plug-in hybrid variant for the first time. This new model effectively replaces the rather undersold ActiveHybrid7, itself a mild hybrid. Officially called the BMW 740e, BMW is keeping this plug-in hybrid as part of their main brand, instead of passing it off as an evocative ‘BMW i’ machine.^[8][9][10]

Notable improvements to the infotainment and driver assistance systems include an automatic parking system that is controllable with a digital key fob and a more intuitive variant of the iDrive vehicle operating system, featuring touchscreen input and gesture recognition controls.

The sixth generation 7 Series entered production in June 2015,^[11] with European sales being scheduled to begin in October 2015.^[12][13]

BMW Alpina B7 (xDrive)

In February 2016 BMW North America announced the Alpina B7 (xDrive) which features a 608 hp 4.4 litre biturbo V8 engine delivering 800 N.m of torque. The Alpina B7 is a sportier version of the BMW 7 Series. It runs from 0 to 100kph in 3.7s [0-60 mph: 3.6s], (RWD model, RHD only: 0-100kph: 4.2s) and to a topspeed of 310kph (193 mph).

BMW M760Li xDrive

A few days later BMW announced the M760Li xDrive with a version of the 6.6L twin-turbo V12 from the Rolls-Royce Ghost, Wraith and Dawn, including all-wheel-drive, boasting 600 bhp and 800Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque. As advertised it would hit from standstill 100kph in 3.9s. But when it was unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Auto Show, the numbers were changed: From the same 6.6l V12, now 610 bhp (+10 bhp), 800Nm (unchanged) and 0-100kph: 3.7s (0.2s less). Topspeed is limited to 250kph (155 mph), but with the optional M Driver's Package, the limiter goes to 305kph (189 mph). The M760Li xDrive is the first all-wheel-drive passenger car with V12 motor that has front differential gear housing mounted adjacent to the side, rather than behind or front, of motor along with transfer case sending the power to the front axle.

BMW 740e iPerformance

Also in February 2016, BMW announced the introduction of the "iPerformance" model designation, which will be given to all BMW plug-in hybrid vehicles from July 2016. The aim is to provide a visible indicator of the transfer of technology from BMW i to the BMW core brand. The new designation will be used first on the plug-in hybrid variants of the latest BMW 7 Series, the BMW 740e iPerformance being the first of such plug-in hybrids.^[14]

BMW 740e concept plug-in hybrid

The 740e iPerformance was unveiled at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show, together with the BMW M760Li xDrive (see above) and the BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition special-edition model.^[14] Sales of the 740e iPerformance are scheduled to begin by mid-2016. The 740e iPerformance features the same drivetrain as the already launched BMW X5 xDrive40e plug-in hybrid, and has an all-electric range is 25 mi (40 km) (dropping to 23 mi (37 km) in the xDrive version).^[15]

Production and sales

Calendar year	Total production	US sales (hybrid)	China sales
1995		22,637[16]
1996		22,775
1997	49,700[17]	-
1998	47,300[17]	-
1999	43,000[17]	18,233[18]
2000	39,000[17]	16,619
2001	32,749[17]	13,389[19]
2002	53,504[17]	22,006
2003	57,899[17]	20,473[20]
2004	47,689[17]	16,155[21]
2005	50,062[17]	18,165[22]
2006	50,227[17]	17,796
2007	44,421[23]	14,773
2008	38,835[24]	12,276
2009	52,680[25]	9,254[26]
2010	65,814[27]	12,253 (101)[28]	26,553[29]
2011	68,774	11,299[30]
2012	59,184	11,098
2013	56,001[31]	10,932[32]
2014	48,519	9,744[33]

References

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2. shogun. "E32 7 series series buying guide". Bimmerboard.com. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
3. Behrend, Jürgen. Hella 1899–1999. p. 97.
4. Neumann, Rainer; Woerner, B. (1993). "Litronic – New Automotive Headlamp Technology with Gas Discharge Lamp". Automotive Design Engineering: 152–156.
5. "James Bond multimedia | BMW 750iL". Jamesbondmm.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-02-12.
6. Elaine Hardcastle (2015-06-10). "BMW touts computing power more than horsepower in new 7 Series". Reuters. Retrieved 2015-06-28.
7. Georg Kacher (2015-04-17). "Executive saloon fight 2016! Next-gen BMW 5-series vs Mercedes E-class". carmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-06-28.
8. Key Details About the New BMW 7-Series PHEV
9. All-New BMW 7 Series PHEVs
10. BMW plans PHEV versions of its entire model range
11. "Start of production of new BMW 7 Series at Plant Dingolfing" (Press release). BMW Group PressGroup Global. 2015-06-10. Retrieved 2015-06-28.
12. "The All-New BMW 7 Series" (Press release). BMW Group PressClub Global. Retrieved 2015-06-28.
13. Greg Kable (2015-06-07). "2015 BMW 7 Series – first images leaked ahead of official reveal". autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-06-10.
14. "BMW at the 86th Geneva International Motor Show 2016" (Press release). Munich: BMW Group PressClub Global. 2016-02-12. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
15. Moss, Darren (2016-02-12). "BMW 7 Series 740e iPerformance to make its Geneva debut". Autocar. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
16. "BMW Ends Best Year Ever By Shattering 100,000-Vehicle Luxury Automotive Sales Barrier in the U.S.". Thefreelibrary.com. 1997-01-07. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
17. "BMW (Rover) Sales & Production Databook". 2006. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
18. "BMW Delivers Strongest Sales Success Ever in 2000". Thefreelibrary.com. 2001-01-03. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
19. "BMW Group Ends Best Year Ever With Record Month; December Sales Up 43 Percent; Year-to-date Sales Up 20 Percent". Thefreelibrary.com. 2003-01-03. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
20. "BMW Group Shatters All Past Annual Sales Records in 2004". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
21. "BMW Group Sets All-Time Annual Sales Record, Highest Sales Month Ever in 2005". Theautochannel.com. 2006-01-04. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
22. "BMW Group Reports 2006 – Strongest Year Ever". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
23. "Annual Report 2007 – BMW remains the most successful premium car brand in the world". BMW Group. 2008-03-18. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
24. "Annual Report 2008 – BMW sales volume influenced by model life cycle factors". BMW Group. 2009-03-18. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
25. "Annual Report 2009 – BMW brand sales volume below previous year's level.". BMW Group. 2010-03-17. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
26. "BMW Group U.S. Reports December 2010 Sales" (Press release). New Jersey: Prnewswire.com. 2011-01-04. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
27. "BMW Group". BMW Group. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
28. "December 2010 Dashboard: Year End Tally". Hybrid Cars. 2011-01-07. Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
29. "2010年BMW品牌销售16万辆 MINI品牌超万辆-汽车频道_中华网" (in Chinese). Auto.china.com. 2011-01-11. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
30. "BMW Group Achieves Second Best Sales Year Ever in the U.S. – WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/". New Jersey: Prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
31. http://www.bmwgroup.com/e/0_0_www_bmwgroup_com/investor_relations/downloads/_pdf/InvestorPresent_March_2014_online.pdf
32. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bmw-group-us-reports-december-and-2013-sales-238625731.html
33. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bmw-group-us-reports-december-and-2014-sales-300015792.html

External links

• Official BMW 7-Series page