A closer look at the 2016 BMW 7-Series

Article by Christian A., on June 11, 2015

BMW has redefined what it means to have a luxurious driving experience in a contemporary form with the release of the 2016 BMW 7-Series. This new series from BMW incorporates different groundbreaking technologies in different areas like chassis, intelligent connectivity, interior ambience, lightweight design, operating systems, and powertrains. All these combine to give the new series a unique driving pleasure and the long-distance driving comfort expected in a luxury sedan.

The passing of the torch from one generation series to another demonstrates how the brand is introducing innovations that remain unrivaled. The main factors in the 2016 BMW 7-Series that enable it to enhance features like comfort, dynamics, efficiency, and safety while driving include: an engine from the new generation power units; the carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic used for the body structure; the plug-in hybrid system of the BMW 740e; the Driving Experience Control switch that has an ADAPTIVE mode with BMW Laserlight; and chassis system with the Executive Drive Proactive.

The rear compartment on the other hand is maximized through these different elements: Sky Lounge Panorama glass roof; Ambient highlight; Welcome Light Carpet; an Executive Lounge that has a massage function and Vitality Programme; and smartphone holder that allows for inductive charging. The innovations do not stop there. The brand’s driver assistance technology and operating system has: the iDrive system with touch display and BMW gesture control and Toch Command; BMW Head-Up Display; crossing traffic warning; active side collision protection; steering and lane control assistant; a Surround View that allows a 3D View; and Remote Control Parking system.

All these make the 2016 BMW 7-Series the standard when it comes to luxury performance while providing the highest level when it comes to driving refinement for the premium car class. This new series from BMW is expected to arrive in U.S. showrooms during the fall of 2015. The BMW 740i is priced at $81,300 while the BMW 750i xDrive starts at $97,400. Both prices do not include Destination and handling however.

Looking at the design, the BMW 7-Series gives a genuine platform that shows the character of the car. It can be observed that there is indeed good dynamics and high-class elegance through the harmonious proportions that have precise line points and amazing controlled surface design. The balance between long-distance driving comfort and pleasure is obviously expressed in the aura of a luxury sedan and is made available in standard and long wheelbase series variants.

Other important features of the interior of the BMW 7-Series include lavish levels of space highlighted by horizontal lines and surfaces. There is also a cockpit design that is driver-focused and has a very sophisticated functionality when it comes to display and control elements. Finally there is the fusion of precision craftsmanship as well as the use of exquisite materials. The M Sport package will be made available when the BMW 7-series is launched.

This underscores the dynamic ability of the car and its luxurious ambience with exclusive elegance to great effect. It comes as no surprise then that the BMW is always able to satisfy the different expectations of customers from around the world.

Powertrain

The weight of the new BMW 7-Series has been reduced by as much as 130 kilograms through the BMW EfficientLightweight. At the core of this structure is the Carbon Core, which is the result of technology transfer from developing the BMW i cars.

This series is also the first from BMW to use carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic that is combined with aluminum and steel. The utilization of these mixed materials increases both the rigidity and strength of the car’s passenger cell while reducing the weight.

The engine of the BMW 750i is an updated V8 petrol engine, enhanced with the 8-speed Steptronic transmission and the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system which makes it more efficient.

The 6-cyclinder in-line engine with BMW’s own TwinPower Turbo technology is the brand’s latest generation of engines. Both the BMW 740i and BMW 740Li have a 3.0-liter unit that produces 326 horsepower.

The crankcase of the engine, and its oil sump and cylinder head, are made of aluminum. The TwinScroll turbocharger has an intake manifold where the charge air cooling indirect system has been incorporated in order to work in tandem with the High Precision Direct Injection. This is the latest version of BMW’s VALVETRONIC and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. Thus not only has the efficiency been improved but the response is made even more spontaneous.

The BMW 730d and BMW 730Ld on the other hand are powered by a diesel engine that comes in 3.0-liters as well as with a 265 horsepower. Maximum torque is 456 lb-ft giving it impressive pulling power. The engine also offers a new level in acoustic comfort not found in other brands. Aside from reducing the weight of the engine, the thermodynamics of the turbocharging system has also been improved through the VNT technology.

The engine also has a common-rail direct injection system with piezo injectors that are able to generate 2,500 bar of maximum pressure. All these result in the engine having less consumption of fuel and lower emissions. The diesel models of the new series also have the xDrive as an option. In addition to the models already mentioned, the BMW 7-Series also has three new models: the BMW 740e; the BMW 740Le; and the BMW 740Le xDrive.

The plug-in hybrid models do not just have the Carbon core in its passenger cell but also the BMW eDrive powertrain technology. The 740 models allow for amazing interaction between the electric drive and the 2.0-liter engine with the TwinPower Turbo technology.

These are then integrated with BMW’s 8-speed Steptronic transmission giving the BMW 740e powerful acceleration while lowering fuel consumption and decreasing emissions. The engine has a total system output of 326 horsepower. For the BMW 740e the consumption is 2.1l liters for every 100 kilometers while the BMW 740Le has 2.3 liters for every 100 kilometers of fuel consumption. When the engine is combined with the electric motor, the 740e consumed 12.5 kWh of power while the 740Le uses 13.0 kWh of power.

CO2 emissions for the 740e have been measured at 49 grams while the 740Le stands at 53 grams of CO2 emission. The electric motor gets its power from a lithium-ion battery that is placed under the rear seat to protect it in the case of a collision or crash. The motor can be recharged through a standard power socket or the BMW i Wallbox.

It can even be recharged at available public charging stations. The eDrive button is found at the center of the console and lets the driver adjust the operating mode of the hybrid drive. Under the AUTO eDrive setting, the power of the engine is increased by the electric drive when the car is accelerating. When the MAX eDrive is used, the cars are able to run on electric power alone. For the 740e, this means zero emissions with a top speed of 75 mph and a 25-mile maximum range.

The 740Le meanwhile can reach a top speed of 25 mph with a maximum range of 23 miles. There is still one more mode that the driver can choose and this is the Battery Control mode. Activating this mode increases or stabilizes the state of charge of the electric battery. Thus the power can be saved in case all-electric driving is later chosen.

When the route guidance in the navigation system is activated, the BMW’s predictive power management function computes a strategy on where the route should be in order to reach the destination while driving on purely electric power. Finally, the usual specification of the 740models has auxiliary heating and ventilation systems that are powered by the battery or from the main engine when the battery is being recharged.

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A closer look at the 2016 BMW 7-Series

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