BMW 7 Series

Overview

BMWs full-size flagship executive saloon BMW 7 Series compete in the elite Large Premium conventional sector of the market. BMW 7 Series is only available as a saloon. This is perhaps the biggest statement you can make as a BMW owner. The BMW High Security 7-Series (220,000 is custom-built with integrated steel armour. As seen driving heads of state and other very influential people. Typically, BMW introduces much of its innovations and exclusive qualities first in the 7 series such as its astonishing upcoming hydrogen powered version. Numerous engines including diesel, V8 and V12, plus the Alpina tuned supercharged V8 are part of the BMW 7 Series range. The 7 Series is a stylish beast which marked a radical departure from conservative luxury car design.

Sales

According JD Power the top sellers in the 7 series market during 2006 were the Cadillac DTS (58,224), Lincoln Town Car (39,295), and Mercedes Benz S Class (30,886). The BMW 7 Series sold 17,796 cars during 2006, a decrease of 2 per cent compared to 2005. Other models competing in this range include the Lexus LS Series and Audi A8 plus the Jaguar XJ-Series. However, the BMW 7 Series has been a steady seller for BMW With sales of almost 160,000 worldwide since its global launch in 2001. The fourth generation is the most successful BMW luxury car to date. In the German market, the BMW 7 Series is the market leader in the luxury sector and the car has also shown decent growth in Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Oceania and Africa. BMW V8 7 Series models during their year of launch did particularly well outselling the V8 Mercedes S Class models, Lexus LS430 and Audi A8 V8 models.

History

Launched in the UK in March 2002, the 7 Series is a luxury car that sees BMW aiming for perfection, combining the best new technologies with innovative design and class leading driving dynamics.

The 7 Series is a technological delight, with cutting edge body, engine and chassis technology and all the latest electronic driver aids, economy and safety features. Levels of refinement are breathtaking, with comprehensive standard specification complemented by a host of extras.

Individual features of the 7 Series are impressive but taken as a complete package, the car really stands out. In its first year of production, sales of the new 735i and 745i models outsold those of the previous V8 model in its first year.

March 2003 saw the introduction of the BMW 730d to the UK following the launch of the V8 735i and 745i models in March 2001. This was the first time that BMW launched a 7 Series diesel model in the UK.

The 7 Series line up has been strengthened even further with a stunning six cylinder petrol, plus a whopping 760 variant with V12 engine and long wheel base option.

BMW 7 Series Revamp

A major mid-life revision of the 7 Series in 2005 saw a range of new engines, interior fine-tuning, dynamic developments and exterior styling changes. The newer 7 Series

The new 7 Series offered customers the widest model range of any luxury car manufacturer, all of which (excluding the 760i) had new engines, updated to deliver more power and flexibility without compromising on fuel economy.

In the UK, the biggest seller in the range was the 730d - about 56 per cent of total BMW 7 Series sales. To maintain its popularity, the 730d engine was extensively revised and benefited from an all-aluminium cylinder block that reduced the weight of the engine by 25kgs. As a result of this weight reduction and BMWs third-generation common rail diesel technology, power is increased by 12 per cent to 228bhp at 4,000rpm while torque was four per cent higher at 520Nm, developed between 2,000 and 2,750rpm.

2005 BMW 7 Series Comparison Chart

Model - Power, BHP Torque, Nm Acceleration, 0 62mph in secs - Top Speed, Mph - Economy, Mpg.

• BMW 730d - 228 -520 - 7.8 148 - 34.4
• BMW 730d SE - 228 -520 - 7.8 148 - 34.4
• BMW 730d Sport 228 -520 - 7.8 148 - 34.4

• BMW 730i 258 300 - 7.8 152 - 28.0
• BMW 730Li 258 300 - 7.8 152 - 28.0
• BMW 730i SE 258 300 - 7.8 152 - 28.0
• BMW 730Li SE 258 300 - 7.8 152 - 28.0
• BMW 730i Sport 258 300 - 7.8 152 - 28.0

• BMW 740i 302 390 - 6.8 155 - 25.2
• BMW 740Li 302 390 - 6.8 155 - 25.2
• BMW 740i Sport 302 390 - 6.8 155 - 25.2

• BMW 750i 362 -
• BMW 750Li 362 -490 - 5.9 155 24.8
• BMW 750i Sport 362 -490 - 5.9 155 24.8

• BMW 760i 445 600 5.5 155 21.1
• BMW 760Li 362 - 490 - 5.9 155 24.8

Current BMW 7 Series

The major revision took place 2005/2006 model year; therefore changes are few for 2007 models.

Comfort seats - heated front seats, and power-folding exterior rear-view mirrors become standard on recent 7 Series. Audio systems were updated to include auxiliary input jacks for iPods and other MP3 players.

The one big development though is that BMW is now offering a limited edition version running on hydrogen. The hydrogen-powered 7 series is essentially a petrol car that can also run on hydrogen. A new BMW 7 series is expected in 2008 with a stunning futuristic look and some major technological changes. So keep an eye out.

2007 BMW 7 Series 760Li - Specification

• Cylinders - 12/4
• Engine Capacity - 5972
• Acceleration - 0-62mph 5.6s
• Max Speed 155mph
• Max Output 327 kw/445 h6000 rpm
• Fuel Consumption Urban, 13.6; Extra Urban, 29.7; Combined, 20.8.

BMW Hydrogen 7 Series

This limited series is being sold to select customers in 2007. The engine in the Hydrogen 7, a derivative of the 7 series 12 cylinder engine, which is capable of running on gasoline or hydrogen, and produces 260 hp. The car will accelerate from 0 to 62.1 mpg in 9.5 secs. This car is a major development. The ability to run on both gasoline and hydrogen gives the Hydrogen 7 a range of more than 400 miles and emits virtually nothing but water vapor. It appears to be part of a long term plan by BMW to introduce a new sector of the hybrid market. The BMW Hydrogen 7 is the worlds first luxury performance sedan with hydrogen drive and because the infrastructure for refueling a hydrogen internal combustion engine is not yet there, the V-12 engine also runs on gasoline. The alternative energy systems are available via a simple push button.