BMW 7 Series (F01)

Initial release

The car was presented to the press in Munich on July 3, 2008. The show debut of the model took place in October 2008 at the Paris Motor Show.

The car was unveiled in the Red Square in Moscow (Russia) on 8 July 2008, and later in 2008 Los Angeles International Auto Show.

Early models include 740i, 750i, 730d, 740Li, 750Li. US models of 7 Series vehicles went on sale in early 2009.

730d, 740d, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760i, 760Li were added in 2009 as 2010 model year vehicles, with 740d introduced in autumn.

740d xDrive was added in September 2010. The optional comfort seats in the rear compartment are now also available in a three-seat version.

US models went on sale in early 2009. Early models included 750, 750Li (rated 400 bhp (300 kW) and 450 lb·ft (610 N·m)).

In 2010, the North American lineup was added with the ActiveHybrid7. The ActiveHybrid7 is the first BMW with automatic transmission to feature an Auto Start Stop function avoiding idle speed operation of the engine when at a standstill or in traffic jams.

In the 2011 model year, the 740i/Li was added as well as the Alpina B7 for the North American market. BMW initially did not have plans to sell the 740i/Li in the United States market; however they responded to requests from their American dealers who were impressed after test driving the Euro-market 7 Series. US models of 740i and 740Li went on sale in April 2010 as 2011 model year vehicle. For the Hong Kong market there is also a special version called the "740Li Vantage", which does not include TFT screens for the back seats, navigation system and comfort seats, and is HK$200,000 lower than the original.

BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid (2008)

The BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid is a concept model that uses the engine from 750i, but adds an electric motor rated 20 PS (15 kW; 20 hp) and 210 N·m (150 lb·ft) torque. Electric motor is integrated into the transmission housing replacing alternator and starter. Other features include auto start stop, 8-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid system was based on the 2-mode hybrid from Daimler AG. The regenerative braking unit includes 12V Absorbent Glass Mat batteries, running in parallel to 120V electrical network for electric motor. BMW claims it improved fuel consumption and reduced emissions by 15% over the non-hybrid model, despite weighing 221 pounds (100 kg) more. The car's exterior profile was designed by Karim Habib, Team Leader, Advanced Design for BMW in Munich, Germany.

The car was first unveiled in 2008 Paris Auto Show, and later in 2008 Los Angeles International Auto Show.

760Li High Security and 750Li High Security (F03)

BMW has also announced the F03 7 Series as their High Security line, including the 750Li High Security and 760Li High Security. Both of them were certified with BRV 2009 and VR7 ballistics protection. The non-transparent sections have been certified as having VR9 levels of protection. This is the first set of cars to be granted such high levels of security. It included undercarriage armour, 6 cm safety glazing at multi-layer laminated glass

ActiveHybrid 7 (F04)

The production version of the ActiveHybrid 7 has a wheelbase that has been increased by 14 centimetres.

The production model of the ActiveHybrid 7 was premiered at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, and shown again later at the Monaco Yacht Show 2010. The US model went on sale in spring 2010.

BMW 730Li (2009-)

It is a version of BMW 7 Series long-wheelbase sedan for Asian market. It included a 2,979 cc (2.979 L; 181.8 cu in) I6 engine rated 258 PS (190 kW; 254 hp)@6600 rpm and 310 N·m (230 lb·ft)@2600 rpm, six-speed automatic transmission.

BMW Alpina B7 (2010-)

Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH has produced the Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo performance variant based on the 750i commencing with the 2011 model year. In North America, the BMW Alpina B7 is officially sold by BMW and have BMW VINs, whereas the Alpina B7 BiTurbo sold in Europe and Japan is officially an Alpina. The Alpina B7's engine is assembled by hand at Alpina's facility in Buchloe, Germany, before being shipped to BMW for installation, and the assembled vehicle is then sent back to Alpina for finishing touches.

Alpina's variant of the N63 twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 makes 507 PS (373 kW; 500 hp) / 700 N·m (516 lb·ft), while retaining the same fuel economy as the regular N63. This is the first time that BMW M and Alpina are using the same type of forced-induction for their powerplants; Alpina's engine has less horsepower but more torque than the BMW M5 (F10).

Alpina's modifications to the standard N63 include high-performance pistons and reinforced cylinder heads to withstand the additional stress from a higher compression ratio. A larger intercooler lowers intake temperatures. An additional radiator lowers coolant temperatures, and external coolers are added for the engine and transmission oil. Larger and lighter turbochargers are fitted and Alpina engine management software increases boost to 14.5 psi (1.0 bar vs. the standard engine's 0.8 bar). There are also a bigger dual exhaust system, rear and front spoilers and alloy wheels.

A ZF six-speed automatic sport transmission with heavy-duty gears is found in the B7. The B7 also features a choice of regular or long-wheelbase and/or rear-wheel drive or xDrive.

According to BMW North America’s manager of product planning and strategy, there is no BMW M7 because M cars are too track-oriented and the B7 covers that niche. However Autoblog found that the B7 could keep pace with a much smaller BMW M3 E92 Coupe.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2010 Chicago Auto Show, and went on sale in Spring of 2010. Production version went on sale as 2011 model year vehicle.

HSH Prince Albert II limousine (2011)

It is a limited (200 units) version of BMW 7 Series limousines supplied by BMW Group for the wedding of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. It included metallic black body, six-cylinder inline engine.

Equipment

Beginning in autumn 2011, M Sport package option is available for BMW ActiveHybrid 7. BMW ConectedDrive is available. BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition includes additional visual and audible alerts to warn the driver even more effectively if pedestrians or cyclists are about to move into the car’s path. The new Real-Time Traffic Information function works in conjunction with a navigation system to give the driver extremely precise information on the traffic situation on motorways, country roads and selected city routes. The new Apps function allows reception of Web Radio stations and in-car use of online services Facebook and Twitter.

Performance

The following performance figures are taken from the BMW 7 Series web site under 'Models and technical data.' The top speeds are electronically limited where noted with an asterisk.

The N63 twin turbo 4.4L V8 engine of the F01 BMW 750i/Li matches the performance of the previous-generation E65 760i/Li, powered by the naturally aspirated N73 6.0L V12 engine, while also having similar torque to the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, equipped with a naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 engine.

The V12 engine for the F01 760i/Li was redesigned as a twin turbo 6.0L (BMW N74) in order to maintain its status as the flagship of the range. The 2010 BMW 760Li is priced similarly and has matching performance with the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, however the 760Li is positioned more as a cruising limo while the S63 is a hardcore sports sedan. Unlike previous generations of the 7 Series, the V12 engine is now only available in the long-wheelbase model.

The N54 twin turbo inline-6 engine of the 740i, despite being down 85 hp (63 kW) and 120 lb·ft (160 N·m) to the 750i’s twin-turbo V-8, weighs about 100 pounds (45 kg) less. In a comparison test, the 740i could make the 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) run in 5.1 seconds compared to the 750i's 5.2, although the 750i catches up at 70 mph (110 km/h). Fuel economy of the 740i is 17 mpg city and 25 highway, compared with the 750i’s 15/22 and the ActiveHybrid 7's 17/26. Handling for the 740i/Li is improved over the 750i/Li due to a more balanced weight distribution (the 740i has 239 pounds less over the front axel). The BMW 740i is also quicker than some V8 flagship sedans such as the Hyundai Equus and Lexus LS 460 as well as the 2011 BMW 535i (powered by the single twin-scroll turbo N55 engine despite the 535i weighing 300 pounds less), while tying the 2011 Audi A8 4.2 FSI quattro.

Production

BMW 740i and 740Li made up 10% of overall 7 Series sales in the U.S. (which is expected to rise up to fifteen percent in the upcoming years), while the 760Li had 2%. 70% of the 7 Series cars sold are the "L" long-wheelbase models.

Marketing

In the project "Mataró Chauffeur Service", BMW provides 7 Series vehicles for the taxi firm arranged by Spanish artist Martí Anson.

7 Series vehicles were used in the official opening of the historical stage of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia.

12 black 7 Series limousines (from Freys Hyrverk) were used in 2011 Nobel Prize ceremony.

2012 update

Changes include:

The 750i and B7 received upgraded versions of the N63 engine that add Valvetronic, while the 740i replaces its twin-turbo N54 with the N55 twin-scroll (single) turbo with Valvetronic. The ActiveHybrid 7 replaces its N63 V8 with the N55 inline-6. While the N54-powered 740i was only available in rear-wheel drive, the 2013 740Li with the N55 engine has optional xDrive. [2][3]

The vehicles were unveiled in 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and later in Monaco Yacht Show 2012. The vehicles went on sale in July 2012.

US models went on sale in late summer 2012 as 2013 model year vehicles. Early models include 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750i, 750i xDrive, Alpina B7, Alpina B7 LWB, Alpina B7 SWB with xDrive, Alpina B7 LWB with xDrive and the 760 Li. ActiveHybrid 7 L arrived in early fall 2012.

BMW 7 Series High Security (2012-)

It is an armoured version of BMW 7 Series with VR7 and VR9 resistance class.

The vehicle was unveiled in GPEC 2012.

V-12 25th Anniversary Edition (2012)

It is a limited (15 units) version of 2013 BMW 760Li for the US market, commemorating 25th anniversary of BMW V-12 engines. It included:

The vehicle went on sale for $159,695 including destination and handling.

BMW Alpina B7 (2012–2015)

The new 540 PS (397 kW; 533 hp) V8 biturbo engine increases the top speed to 312 km/h (194 mph) (310 km/h (193 mph) on xDrive models).

The vehicle was unveiled in Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August 2012 and went on-sale immediately thereafter. Early models include B7 Standard Wheelbase, B7 SWB with xDrive, B7 Long Wheelbase, B7 LWB with xDrive.

Canada models include only xDrive vehicles.

Engines

BluePerformance emission control option is included with 750d xDrive, 750 Ld xDrive; and as option in 730d.

Beginning in spring 2013, BMW 760i and BMW 760Li becomes EU6-emission compliant.

Transmissions

All models from 2009 through 2012 include 6-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic function. 2013 and 2014, 8-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic function.

Production

As of 10-9-12, all 15 of the "V-12 25 Years Edition" 760Li Sedans were sold out.