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The new BMW 7 Series reinforces BMW’s
commitment to building the finest flagship model possible with a
focus on sporting elegance, superb refinement and luxurious comfort
combined with efficient yet high performance powertrains.
Small design enhancements, including
new optional Adaptive LED headlights, accentuate the strong,
powerful lines and balanced proportions inherent to the 7 Series.
Inside and the pursuit of innovation is apparent with an enhanced
control display and a new optional multi-function Instrument panel
providing access to the latest in BMW’s ConnectedDrive technology.
Additional in-car refinement measures and further optimisation of
the 7 Series’ chassis have led to an even higher level of driving
comfort for the occupants. |
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With a revised range of highly
efficient engines, a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox and the
full array of EfficientDynamics technologies, the new BMW 7 Series
combines enhanced performance with significantly reduced emissions
and fuel consumption. The latest BMW 7 Series is also the first to
be offered in the UK as an ActiveHybrid in both standard and
long-wheelbase guises courtesy of a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine
mated to a synchronous electric motor and lithium-ion high
performance battery which will allow for solus electrically-powered
driving at given times.
| Model |
Price from OTR |
Power
Hp |
Torque
Nm |
0 – 62mph Seconds |
Top Speed Mph |
Combined Mpg |
CO2Emissions g/km |
| BMW ActiveHybrid7 |
£66,040 |
354 |
500 |
5.7 |
155* |
41.5 |
158 |
| BMW ActiveHybrid7 L |
£69,140 |
354 |
500 |
5.7 |
155* |
41.5 |
158 |
| BMW 740Li |
£64,505 |
320 |
450 |
5.7 |
155* |
35.8 |
184 |
| BMW 740i |
£61,505 |
320 |
450 |
5.7 |
155* |
35.8 |
184 |
| BMW 740d |
£65,305 |
313 |
630 |
5.5 |
155* |
49.6 |
149 |
| BMW 730Ld |
£61,215 |
258 |
560 |
6.1 |
155* |
50.4 |
148 |
| BMW 730d |
£58,115 |
258 |
560 |
6.1 |
155* |
50.4 |
148 |
*Electronically
limited.
Exterior Design: a stylish
presence from every angle
The new BMW 7 Series is the epitome
of BMW’s approach to making advanced, elegant and luxurious
vehicles; the brand flagship and hence, a car with genuine presence
as well as an air of sporting luxury. The main exterior changes are
to the front and rear of the car, but in addition, the 8mm drop in
the overall height of the vehicle has further accentuated the sleek
profile of this machine.
From the front, the new 7 Series
now presents the latest version of the famous BMW kidney grille
which features a larger aperture but with nine instead of 13 slats
for greater visual impact. In the lower section a full-width air
intake is now split into three sections, defined by a pair of chrome
bars on the outer edges and flanked by vertical air intakes that
form part of the advanced aerodynamic package.
As an option, customers can now
specify full Adaptive LED headlights, which with their crisp accent
strip and familiar BMW corona rings not only supply excellent
visibility at night, but further sharpen the frontal design of the
new 7 Series.
Interior: supreme luxury
meets high technology
As befits a vehicle with the
prestige of the new BMW 7 Series, the stylish cabin is a delightful
place to spend time in, with its flowing forms and exquisite
materials. With an interior trimmed in either Dakota or Exclusive
Nappa leather, it is apparent that real craftsmanship has been
employed in its creation and construction, executed with precise
attention to detail. Additional soundproofing material has been
incorporated in the B and C pillars, the sills and boot area, with
careful sealing around the window frames and mirrors. New,
variable-colour ambient lighting adds to the feeling of luxury.
Despite the luxurious surroundings,
BMW’s traditional ergonomic focus on the driver is apparent, with
newly designed seats increasing the comfort and support for their
occupants. Comfort seats are optionally available and can be ordered
in combination with either folding tables or a new rear seat
entertainment system that features 9.2-inch colour screens. These
appear to be ‘floating’ thanks to their new slim design.
A further option is the individual
rear Comfort seats, which features electrical adjustment for the
seat back angle, seat position and head restraint. And for the
ultimate in rear-seat comfort, BMW offers the long wheelbase version
of the new 7 Series, with an extra 140mm in the wheelbase devoted to
rear seat legroom and an extra 10mm of rear seat headroom as well.
The quiet, peaceful surroundings of
the new 7 Series interior are an ideal place in which to enjoy the
output of the new optional Bang & Olufsen Advanced audio system.
With 1,200w of power and 16 speakers – including an illuminated
centre speaker that extends out of the instrument panel using
Acoustic Lens Technology – the finest sonic experience is assured.
Engines: fine tuned for
perfection
The new BMW 7 Series is propelled
by a range of petrol and diesel powerplants that utilise
cutting-edge engine technology for a sensational mix of performance
and economy.
The BMW ActiveHybrid7 with its
320hp 2,979cc engine and BMW TwinPower Turbo technology is taken
from the ‘standard’ 740i and then adapted with a 55hp synchronous
motor, a hybrid specification eight-speed automatic
transmission, a lithium-ion high performance battery all wrapped
into an intelligent energy management package to provide the first 7
Series hybrid to be offered in the UK.
Performance is brisk yet economical
and with low CO2 emissions. With a max output of 354hp and 500 Nm of
torque the ActiveHybrid7 can accelerate from zero to 62mph in 5.7
seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph. However, it is capable of
this at the same time as achieving 41.5mpg and emissions of 158g/km.
The new BMW 750i features a revised
version of the TwinPower turbo 4.4-litre V8, with optimised high
pressure direct fuel injection and reduced charge cycle losses
thanks to the clever integration of Valvetronic variable control of
intake valve lift. The engine now delivers 10per cent more power at
449hp, and 8.5per cent more torque at a mighty 650Nm, developed over
a broad rev band – enough for a 0-62mph sprint of 4.8 seconds and a
top speed electronically limited to 155mph. Even more impressive is
the 25 per cent improvement in efficiency: fuel consumption is now
32.8mpg and CO2 emissions are just 199g/km.
The new BMW 740i is powered by the
superb TwinPower turbo 3.0-litre straight-six, a pioneer of BMW’s
integration of twin-scroll turbo technology with direct fuel
injection, Double-VANOS and Valvetronic for maximum throttle
response and power with highly efficient consumption. The engine has
a peak power output of 320hp and a maximum torque of 450Nm, the
latter developed from just 1,300rpm, giving this 7 Series the same
performance as the outgoing 740i, but with fuel economy stands at
35.8mpg with CO2 emissions of 184g/km.
The choice of diesel powerplants in
the new BMW 7 Series is headed by the powerful BMW 740d, a
formidable exponent of BMW’s TwinPower turbo technology featuring
two turbochargers for the familiar 3.0-litre straight-six. Thanks to
minor detail improvements, this engine now produces slightly more
power at 313hp and an extra 30Nm of torque to make a peak of 630Nm
at just 1,500rpm. Performance, with the benefit of the standard new
eight-speed automatic transmission, is dramatic, with 0-62mph
achieved in only 5.5 seconds and a top speed electronically limited
to 155mph. As ever, this performance is not at the expense of
efficiency, with a frugal 49.6mpg recorded on the test cycle and CO2
emissions of just 149g/km.
The new BMW 730d retains its
enviable position as the world’s most efficient luxury limousine.
The 3.0-litre TwinPower turbo straight-six now produces 258hp and
560Nm of torque – both increases on previous outputs – but couples
those figures with a combined fuel consumption of 50.4mpg and
outstandingly low CO2 emissions of just 148g/km, a reduction of
30g/km versus its predecessor. EU6 compliance is also available as
an option with no impact to emissions or fuel economy.
Maximising the efficiency of these
engines is the new Eight-speed automatic gearbox, fitted as standard
across the range, which helps the engine to work in its optimum rev
band to the benefit of both performance and economy.
EfficientDynamics: a full
suite of measures for the flagship
The BMW EfficientDynamics
initiative encompasses every aspect of the vehicle, from the use of
advanced and efficient engines, to lightweight body construction and
innovative drivetrain electronics.
In a first for the 7 Series it is
now offered with BMW BluePerformance giving a car so equipped the
ability to already surpass the forthcoming 2014 EU6 emissions
criteria. Thanks to the use of an oxidising converter, a diesel
particulate filter and a catalytic converter to all reduce the
harmful emissions, including nitrogen oxide, that exit the exhaust.
All new BMW 7 Series models (except
760Li) are equipped with an Auto Start-Stop function and Brake
Energy Regeneration. Intelligent energy management is further
enhanced by the ancillary units, which consume significantly less
energy compared with conventional systems. Examples include the
on-demand coolant pump, the electronically controlled oil pump and
the new Electric Power Steering system, which offers potential
savings of up to three per cent.
The ECO PRO mode modifies the
powertrain management and programming of the heating and air
conditioning, heated seats and exterior mirror heating to operate at
optimum efficiency. It also encourages an economical driving style.
With the exception of the BMW
760Li, all engine variants feature a proactive driving assistant
that can be switched on via the ECO PRO mode. Drawing on the latest
navigation data, it recommends advance adjustment of the car’s speed
with the aim of saving fuel.
The new BMW 7 Series goes on sale
in the UK on 22 September, 2012 priced from £58,115 OTR for a 730d
SE.
