Exterior
The grille’s chrome surround is now larger and there’s a new slat arrangement (nine slats instead of 12). The large, full-width air intake dominating the lower section of the modified front apron is now split into three sections, a pair of chrome bars marking its outer sectionss. Two narrow vertical air intakes sit beyond even the LED foglamps to the left and right of the wide intake. These are included as part of the “air curtain” technology, which lowers fuel consumption at higher speeds by forcing the air to flow more aerodynamically around the front wheels. The BMW 7 Series also gets integrated indicators in the outer rear view mirrors.
The horizontal lines and subdivision of the rear into several levels visually lowers the height of the car. The design of the brand’s familiar L-shaped rear lights is retained but the shades of red have been varied to provide more contrast. A new chrome strip, links the thin reflectors on the rear bumper. Another chrome bar between the four chromed tailpipe embellishers in the rear apron is a distinguishing feature of the 12-cylinder flagship model.
Long Wheelbase Version
The long-wheelbase version of the BMW 7 Series is longer than the standard 7 Series by 140 millimetres, adding to leg room at the rear and a lot more comfort. Changes to the roofline of the long-wheelbase version surprisingly adds 10 millimetres of extra headroom in the rear!
Interior
BMW says the colour of the ambient light can be changed. The BMW 7 Series can be ordered with a folding table in the backrest or with the Rear Seat Entertainment package as an option. A brand-new feature are the 9.2-inch screens which, instead of being integrated into the front seats, appear to be “floating”.
The new 1,200-watt Bang & Olufsen High End Surround Sound System music system is hooked up to 16 speakers, some of which are positioned behind illuminated, satin-finish aluminium grilles sited in the mirror triangles of the doors and the parcel shelf. The most attention-seizing member of the speaker line-up is the illuminated centre speaker which extends out of the instrument panel and uses B&O Acoustic Lens Technology. Its distinctive form guarantees perfect sound quality in every seat. When the music system is switched off, the centre speaker retreats back into the instrument panel almost without trace.
A particular highlight of the BMW 7 Series is the multifunctional instrument display, which makes its debut. In place of four circular analogue dials keep the driver informed of the car’s speed, engine revs, fuel level and oil temperature a 10.25-inch display is used. While the familiar format of four circular instruments is retained here, the extended black-panel technology hands the driver a whole new set of display options.The display shows varying information and different colous in the COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO driving experience modes.The information shown is tailored to the driving mode currently engaged.
In ECO PRO mode the display is primarily blue. If the driver is aggressive with the throttle,the full display turns grey and alerts them to the amount of fuel they are burning unnecessarily. A speedometer zoom function can also be activated in ECO PRO and COMFORT modes.
In SPORT mode the display takes on a signature BMW orange hue. This display mode purposefully retains a very puristic look and only shows the driver the most essential information, so that he can maintain maximum concentration on the road ahead.
Powertrain
Innovative eight-speed automatic gearbox now fitted as standard. For the year 2012 BMW is fitting all 7 Series models with the extremely effective eight-speed automatic transmission previously reserved for the BMW 760i, BMW 740d xDrive and BMW ActiveHybrid 7. Its additional ratios allow the gearbox to combine unbeatable shift comfort and efficiency, while at the same time aiding the dynamic qualities of the BMW 7 Series Sedan. With its intelligent control technology, the eight-speed transmission boasts extremely fast shift and reaction times and direct downshift capability. The electronic transmission controller can also alter the shift characteristics as required, to cater either for a more sporty or for a more relaxed, fuel-saving driving style.
BMW 760i
The V12 engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, direct petrol injection and continuously variable camshaft control is a mill worthy of the flagship 760i. The all-aluminium powerplant generates output of 544 hp and makes peak torque of 750 Nm. 0 to 100kph in 4.6 seconds for a car so huge is jaw droppingly fast, and top speed is of course limited to 250 kph.
BMW 750i
The 750i gets the revised V8 powerplant, that makes 450 hp and a peak torque of 650 Nm propelling the 750i from 0 to 100kph in 4.8 seconds. Optimised high-pressure direct injection and seamlessly variable control of intake valve lift that leads to reduced charge cycle losses have upped the power by 10% and torque by 8.5% over the previous engine.
BMW 740i
The 740i gets the new inline six cylinder loaded with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, twin-scroll turbocharging, Double-Vanos variable camshaft timing and Valvetronic variable valve timing. The engine is good dfor 320hp and maximum torque of 450 Nm from as low as 1300 rpm. BMW says this
BMW 730i
The older straight six 3.0L engine from BMW powers this entry level 730i and is available only in select markets. Figures stands at 258 hp and maximum torque of 310 Nm at 2,600 rpm. Coupling this engine with the now standard eight speed transmission improves the fuel efficiency.
BMW 750d xDrive
With TwinPower Turbo technology at the heart of the six-cylinder unit, there are three turbochargers and a further developed common rail injection system for the first time in order to optimise the engine’s output, torque and responsiveness. The presence of three precisely coordinated turbochargers ensures that the 3-litre high-performance diesel engine develops enough torque across the full rev range. The first charger starts work at just over idle so the combustion chambers can be supplied at an early stage. At 1,500 rpm a larger high-pressure turbo kicks in to help the engine reach its maximum torque. Finally, the third turbocharger joins the fray at 2,700 rpm and ensures particularly impressive power delivery until maximum revs are reached. Piezo injectors spray the fuel into the combustion chambers at up to 2,200 bar, with three pre-injections, one main injection and four post-injections of fuel during each power stroke ensuring efficient and clean combustion.
This diesel makes 381hp, peak torque of 740 Nm and propels the car to 100 kph in 4.9 seconds! Fuel efficiency is claimed to be 18.75 kpl! xDrive should help keep all this power under control.
BMW 740d
The 3 litre six cylinder diesel that powers that 740d makes 313 hp and 630 Nm. The peak power is 5kW higher than the predecessors and fuel efficiency is 17% better.
BMW 730d
Another round of fuel consumption and emissions reductions sees the BMW 730d building on its position as the world’s most economical luxury sedan with the lowest emissions. Peak output of the 3-litre six-cylinder diesel engine, whose construction mirrors that of the engine in the BMW 740d, has
increased by 10 kilowatts to 258 hp. And its maximum torque has also risen to 560 Nm.
However, average fuel economy of 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres (21.42 kpl) in the EU test cycle and CO2 emissions of just 148 g/km allow it to outperform its predecessor by 17 per cent.
BMW ConnectedDrive
A host of tech wizardry under the ConnectedDrive make driving easier and safer in the new BMW 7 Series. BMW Night Vision + Dynamic Light Spot with pedestrian recognition technology (unique in the premium segment), the anti-dazzle LED High-Beam Assistant, Driver Assistant Plus with Stop & Go function, Active Protection with automatic fatigue recognition and Speed Limit Info including the No Passing Info display using road sign symbols. A more powerful operating system governing the central Control Display ensures the entertainment programs are simpler to operate, optimises office and online services, and makes using the telephone easier. The Professional navigation system, meanwhile, is now more powerful and features new and ultra-sharp map graphics and 3D city mode.
Comfort Access control unit (the key) in your hand, move your feet under the rear bumper and the sensors detect the command and pop the boot open.
Design Sketch
