News From Number 7

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

BMW designers and engineers have chosen the flagship. The fifth generation of the 7 series comes with a design update, new assistance systems and more efficient drives. The new top model should be available from dealers from November.

By Susanne Kilimann In

1976, BMW launched the first generation of its 7 series. The current version has been on the market since 2001 and now a generation change is due again. Number four will roll off the assembly line for a few more weeks, then production in Dingolfing will be converted to the new 7-series model - and the revised luxury sedan will be available from dealers - at least in Europe - from November.

Premiere in Paris

At the Paris Motor Show, the Munich-based company want to present the newly styled and technically advanced top model to the public. The world premiere has already been celebrated. From a purely visual point of view, the change is contemporary, quite successful - but not really spectacular. Chedesigner Chris Bangle's team has fine-tuned the lines, improved the aerodynamics and given the sedan a more dynamic look. Long wheelbase, flat roof line, short overhang at the front, a beautifully elongated bonnet, a passenger cell set far back, with slim window frames and pillars make the body appear much sportier, especially when viewed from the side.

At the front, the designers have skilfully staged the BMW trademark - the lush double kidney grille. The organ was placed particularly deep here. Fog lights in clear glass look, which are located far out on the edge of the air inlet, emphasize the wide track. The skilful interplay between concave and convex surfaces with effective light and shadow gradients, which the Munich-based company has also discovered as a brand-typical design feature, has a noble effect. The rear section, on the other hand, appears a bit overloaded with the eye-catching chrome band placed above the license plate holder, which connects the rear lights over the entire width of the trunk lid. Striking horizontal lines are intended to emphasize the broad-gauge character of the 7 Series - less would have been more here.

55 kilos lighter

The fact that the sedan weighs 55 kilograms less than its predecessor is thanks to the consistent further development of lightweight construction technology. Multi-phase steels and hot-formed steel are used in the body support structures. The roof, doors, front hood and side walls are made of aluminum. The light metal is also used for the front spring support, for the housing of the rear axle drive and for the crankcase of the engine.

The rear passengers in particular benefit from the redesign of the interior. The roof line provides even more headroom in the back. The individual seats can be adjusted individually, in the longitudinal direction even by up to seven centimeters. The long versions 750Li and 740Li, which have been extended by 14 centimeters, offer a lot of legroom.

Three motors to choose from

Bayern have completely renewed the engine range. A V8 and an in-line six-cylinder petrol engine, each equipped with twin turbo and petrol direct injection, as well as the first representative of a new generation of six-cylinder diesel engines are available for market launch. The eight-cylinder engine in the BMW 750i generates an output of 300 kW / 407 hp in the engine speed range between 5,500 and 6,400 rpm.

The average fuel consumption determined in the EU test cycle is 11.4 liters per 100 kilometers, the CO2 value 266 grams per kilometer. This means that consumption has been reduced by just three percent compared to the current 7 Series. This is because the new V8 engine is 30 kW more powerful than its predecessor and is thus reaching the level of performance of current twelve-cylinder engines - and with the top-of-the-range engine in the top-of-the-range model, increased performance always takes precedence over savings.

Six-cylinder like V8

The two six-cylinder variants advance into performance regions that were previously reserved for eight-cylinder engines. The Munich engineers achieved increased efficiency primarily by reducing the weight of the engine. The output of the six-cylinder twin turbo unit has been increased to 240 kW / 326 hp at 5,800 rpm especially for use in the BMW 740i.

The newly developed six-cylinder diesel is by far the most economical way to drive a 7 Series. On average, the 730d gets by with 7.2 liters per 100 kilometers, and thus blows 192 grams per kilometer into the air. The new diesel engine mobilizes 180 kW / 245 PS at 4,000 rpm. A displacement of 3.0 liters produces 180 kW / 245 PS at an engine speed of 4,000 rpm. The maximum torque of 540 Newton meters is already available at 1,750 rpm. There will also be a hybrid drive soon - but initially only in the USA, the most important of all 7-series markets.

Technology trendsetter

It goes without saying that the Munich flagship is a technology trendsetter and can be equipped with everything that BMW can offer in terms of safety and driving comfort. The further developed six-speed automatic transmission enables faster changes and more precise gear selection. The chassis with a new double wishbone front axle frees the dampers from transverse forces so that they can smooth out unevenness in the road even more smoothly, the engineers promise. The newly developed integral active steering, which controls the steering angle of the front and rear wheels, should, among other things, enable faster evasive maneuvers and make changing lanes more convenient, especially for rear passengers.

If desired, a head-up display can also be installed, which projects relevant information onto the window pane, or a night vision system with infrared person recognition. In the new 7 Series, BMW is the first car manufacturer to allow unrestricted use of the Internet in the vehicle. Internet access is available for the new BMW 7 Series as an optional extra at flat rate terms. The price range starts at 69,500 euros for the 730d, with a V8 engine the new 7 Series is available from 90,000 euros. For 4-zone automatic air conditioning, seat memory function and many other luxury extras, however, you still have to go for it.