New 5th generation BMW 7 Series launched
Friday July 04, 2008
BMW have announced the latest iteration of their flagship 7 Series range. This, the 5th 7 Series generation, features three engine options and 2 body styles at launch. The BMW 730d, 740i and 750i all have a 3070 mm wheelbase and an overall length of 5072 mm. The 740Li and 750Li sit on a longer wheelbase, up by 140 mm to 3210 mm, and their overall length is up to 5212 mm. All models feature a 6 speed automatic gearbox and ventilated disc brakes front and rear.
The diesel variant, the BMW 730d, boasts the best drag coefficient of the range, a reasonably slippery 0.29. It does however, have a fairly large frontal area of 2.41 m2 (which is identical across all the models initially available). The 730d is powered by a turbocharged direct injection common rail diesel engine of 2993 cc capacity. This six cylinder unit provides 245 PS (180 kW) at 4000 rpm and 540 Nm of torque at between 1750 and 3000 rpm. With a stated kerb weight of 1865 kg, the 730d is claimed to hit 100 km/h from rest in 7.2 seconds, and on to a top speed of 245 km/h. Carbon dioxide emissions are 192 g/km.
The next model up is the 740i, which has a twin turbocharged inline six of 2979 cc capacity. This engine produces 326 PS (240 kW) at 5800 rpm and 450 Nm of torque between 1500 and 4500 rpm. With a kerb weight of 1860 kg, BMW claims that the 0-100 km/h sprint will take just 5.9 seconds, and the top speed is limited to 250 km/h. Emissions are 232 g/km of CO2 per 100 km. The 740Li features the same engine, but with slightly increased kerb weight, thanks to the longer body. It weighs in at 1865 kg at the kerb, and this lengthens the 0-100km/h time by 0.1 second, taking it to 6.0 seconds. Top speed is unchanged, and emissions are slightly worse, at 235 g/100km CO2. Both models have a Cd value of 0.30.
The most powerful engine available from launch is the 4.4 litre twin turbocharged V8. This engine is found in the 750i and the long wheelbase 750Li. For use in the 7 Series, this engine produces 407 PS (300 kW) at 5800 rpm and 600 Nm of torque between 1750 rpm and 4500 rpm. It has a swept volume of 4395 cc, with a 90 degree angle between cylinder banks. Kerb weight is 1945 kg, and the 0-100 km/h dash is claimed to be over in 5.2 seconds (5.3 seconds for the 750Li), and the maximum speed is limited to 250 km/h. Emissions for both the 750i and 750Li are identical, at 266 g/km of CO2.
The diesel variant, the BMW 730d, boasts the best drag coefficient of the range, a reasonably slippery 0.29. It does however, have a fairly large frontal area of 2.41 m2 (which is identical across all the models initially available). The 730d is powered by a turbocharged direct injection common rail diesel engine of 2993 cc capacity. This six cylinder unit provides 245 PS (180 kW) at 4000 rpm and 540 Nm of torque at between 1750 and 3000 rpm. With a stated kerb weight of 1865 kg, the 730d is claimed to hit 100 km/h from rest in 7.2 seconds, and on to a top speed of 245 km/h. Carbon dioxide emissions are 192 g/km.
The next model up is the 740i, which has a twin turbocharged inline six of 2979 cc capacity. This engine produces 326 PS (240 kW) at 5800 rpm and 450 Nm of torque between 1500 and 4500 rpm. With a kerb weight of 1860 kg, BMW claims that the 0-100 km/h sprint will take just 5.9 seconds, and the top speed is limited to 250 km/h. Emissions are 232 g/km of CO2 per 100 km. The 740Li features the same engine, but with slightly increased kerb weight, thanks to the longer body. It weighs in at 1865 kg at the kerb, and this lengthens the 0-100km/h time by 0.1 second, taking it to 6.0 seconds. Top speed is unchanged, and emissions are slightly worse, at 235 g/100km CO2. Both models have a Cd value of 0.30.
The most powerful engine available from launch is the 4.4 litre twin turbocharged V8. This engine is found in the 750i and the long wheelbase 750Li. For use in the 7 Series, this engine produces 407 PS (300 kW) at 5800 rpm and 600 Nm of torque between 1750 rpm and 4500 rpm. It has a swept volume of 4395 cc, with a 90 degree angle between cylinder banks. Kerb weight is 1945 kg, and the 0-100 km/h dash is claimed to be over in 5.2 seconds (5.3 seconds for the 750Li), and the maximum speed is limited to 250 km/h. Emissions for both the 750i and 750Li are identical, at 266 g/km of CO2.
