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 any rival premium product.

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 BMW 7-Series before it 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 152mph top speed.

EfficientDynamics

The launch of the new BMW 7-Series completes the line-up of the entire BMW range now being equipped with EfficientDynamics technologies fitted as standard. With its roof, doors, bonnet and side panels all made from aluminium to dovetail with the principle of lightweight engineering, the BMW 7-Series also has other innovative class-leading technology which improves engine performance, while cutting fuel consumption and emissions.

Brake Energy Regeneration uses the engine's power on overrun, such as braking, to charge the battery for the car's electrical circuit. When the driver is accelerating the alternator disengages so all of the engine's power is channelled towards the car's performance. Other ancillaries, such as the air-conditioning compressor, are also able to disengage to improve the all round performance of the car. This intelligent use of drivetrain power is why EfficientDynamics technology has helped the BMW 7-Series become a class-leader in terms of performance, fuel consumption and emissions.

World firsts

The BMW 7-Series' drivetrain superiority is reinforced with a plethora of automotive firsts. All BMW 7-Series can now be specified with the world's first Head-up Display incorporating a speed limit warning system. A camera mounted on the back of the rear view mirror scans oncoming road signs to alert the driver of any impending speed restriction. The BMW 7-Series is also the world's first car available with a Side View camera system that operates in conjunction with Park Distance Control. The system provides an overview of traffic conditions on the iDrive display so the driver can negotiate a partially obscured junction, leave a car park or drive through a narrow gate with absolute confidence.

The new BMW 7-Series can be specified with the world's most advanced Night Vision system in a production car. BMW was the first manufacturer to fit a Night Vision system to a premium car and it has now upgraded this package to include an individual person recognition system in another world first. A control unit within the system analyses video data of human behaviour as part of the Night Vision camera's reach and can subsequently alert the driver if it detects a human is moving into the path of the vehicle.

Building on the impressive list of innovations, the BMW 7-Series is the first BMW to feature Lane Change Warning combined with Lane Departure Warning. The latter is a system that first appeared on 5 and 6 Series models and uses a camera to monitor road markings. Should the driver start to stray out of lane, a gentle vibration of the steering wheel would provide an alert. However, courtesy of cameras located in the door mirrors, Lane Change Warning adds another tier of driver safety. The two cameras constantly scan the blind spot either side of the vehicle, up to a distance of 60 metres, and alert the driver to the presence of another vehicle with a triangular symbol in the door mirror.

Completing the host of innovations is speed-related Integral Active Steering. A car specified with this optional equipment allows the rear wheels to turn by up to 3º. At slow speeds it is highly manoeuvrable, while at a faster pace it offers enhanced composure and driving dynamics. BMW's flagship car is also the world's first to come with full-scale Internet connectivity.

Tailormade driving dynamics

The latest generation BMW 7-Series is the first to have Dynamic Driving Control featuring Dynamic Damping Control as standard. Dynamic Driving Control is the umbrella function that lets a driver customise the characteristics of his or her car. As part of this Dynamic Damping Control can bet set in comfort, normal or sport modes, but, for the first time, with the added benefit that these settings are infinitely variable depending on driving style and road surface condition. Depending on selected mode the throttle response, gear change speed and steering feel are also altered at the same time.

To aid driving dynamics and comfort the BMW 7-Series is the first BMW Saloon to feature race car-like double-wishbone front suspension. This arrangement allows engineers to fine-tune the suspension for the best kinematic configuration. The rear suspension consists of a five-link arrangement made of aluminium which can be further optimised with the inclusion of Adaptive Air Suspension.

The 2009 BMW 7-Series comes as standard with Dynamic Stability Control + featuring additional functions such as Hill-Start Assistant, Brake Drying, Brake Pre-tensioning, Soft-stop and Brake Fade Compensation. Dynamic Traction Control can be activated via a button to enable spirited driving or greater traction of slippery surfaces such as snow and ice.

A new interior

The new BMW 7-Series comes with one of the most luxurious interiors of any premium car. In addition to a new iDrive controller and larger 10.2-inch screen, owners will be able to programme frequently selected radio stations or navigation destinations on favourite buttons located on the centre console. For the first time on a BMW the instrument cluster comprises a high-resolution colour display with Black Panel technology. This new style of display makes for greater character clarity and, when not in use, forms a smooth, homogenous black surface that gives the interior an added level of modern elegance.

With its 40Gb hard drive, the BMW 7-Series is the first production car in the world that enables a customer to upload their favourite music to be stored on the vehicle. In excess of 100 albums can be saved in this way for the driver's enjoyment. Four-zone automatic air-conditioning can be specified and, for the first time, the BMW 7-Series can have a rear seat ventilation system combined with massage function. The air-conditioning system feeds cool air to the seat squab and backrest while twelve massage bubbles gently kneed the occupants' upper body.

The BMW 7-Series comes with BMW ConnectedDrive with enhanced BMW Assist and BMW TeleServices as standard. BMW Assist is the reactive safety blanket that automatically dials the emergency services if the driver is involved in an accident. For the BMW 7-Series this life-saving system has been improved so that it can now tell the emergency services the severity of the accident and the likely injuries of those inside. BMW TeleServices sees the 7-Series automatically communicate with a call centre if it the car is due a service or a potential fault is detected. A dealer will then contact the owner to arrange a convenient time to rectify this.

The BMW 7-Series goes on sale in the UK on 15 November, 2008.

Technical Specifications

• BMW 750i
  • Displacement: 4.395 cm3
  • Max. Power: 300 kW/407 PS @ 5.500-6.400 rpm
  • Max. Torque: 600 Nm @ 1.750-4.500 rpm
  • 0-100 km/h: 5,2 s (BMW 750Li: 5,3 s)
  • Top speed: 250 km/h
  • Combined Fuel Consumption (EU): 11,4 l/100 km (BMW 750Li: 11,4 l/100 km)
  • CO2-Emission (EU): 266 g/km (BMW 750Li: 266 g/km)
• BMW 740i
  • Displacement: 2.979 cm3
  • Max. Power: 240 kW/326 PS @ 5.800 rpm
  • Max. Torque: 450 Nm @ 1.500-4.500 rpm
  • 0-100 km/h: 5,9 s (BMW 740Li: 6,0 s)
  • Top speed: 250 km/h
  • Combined Fuel Consumption (EU): 9,9 l/100 km (BMW 740Li: 10,0 l/100 km)
  • CO2-Emission (EU): 232 g/km (BMW 740Li: 235 g/km)
• BMW 730d
  • Displacement: 2.993 cm3
  • Max. Power: 180 kW/245 PS @ 4.000 rpm
  • Max. Torque: 540 Nm @ 1.750-3.000 rpm
  • 0-100 km/h: 7,2 s
  • Top speed: 245 km/h
  • Combined Fuel Consumption (EU): 7,2 l/100 km
  • CO2-Emission (EU): 192 g/km