Autoblog

2013 BMW 750Li [w/video]

Matt Davis — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, BMW, First Drives, New Car Reviews, Luxury

Bavarian Hustler Gets Solid Update Including Stunning New iDrive

For a while now, the absolute and rather uncontested king of big luxury executive sedan sales worldwide has been the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Among the obvious competition, there has been an almost unspoken agreement that this is so, and that it shall remain so for our lifetimes. Clearly, this is regardless of the fact that the motoring press - i.e. we the so-called "experts" - have generally preferred this generation of Audi A8/S8, or the sporting BMW 7 Series in its various trims. But hey, what do we know?

Deliveries of this midlife-update BMW 750Li to US dealers began back at the end of September, and we waited deliberately until now to delve deeply into it. Visually, aside from some small aesthetic changes, there is little difference on the surface between this 2013 model and the 2012 model it replaces, the main change being that it gets the latest edition of BMW's iDrive system, which in software terms is version 4.2.

We'll get to that, but there have actually been upgrades to the twin-turbocharged V8 ("N63B44" to those in the know) that renders this big Bimmer more of a sports car in its class, even in the long-wheelbase form tested here. Output is up by over eleven percent to 443 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, torque now stands at 479 pound-feet for a more modest gain of just under seven percent between 2,000 and 4,500 revs. Acceleration to 60 miles per hour is claimed at 4.7 seconds using the eight-speed Steptronic automatic, a time that seems almost freakishly quick for a 4,660-pounder that stretches 17.1 feet from bumper to bumper.

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2013 BMW 750Li [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW marks 25 years of 12-cylinder engines

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, BMW, Luxury

BMW has already celebrated the silver anniversary of its V12-powered 7 Series flagship by offering a special 25 Years Anniversary Edition of the car for 2013, but now the automaker has released a visual display of the engine's quarter-century in the nose of its big Autobahn cruisers. First introduced in 1987 in the 750i, BMW points out it was the first of the modern German luxury sedans to use a 12-cylinder engine - Mercedes-Benz and Audi didn't offer such an engine in their S-Class and A8 models for several more years.

While the current engine used in the current F02 760Li pumps out 535 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque, the E32 750i had just 300 hp and 330 pound-feet of twist; the E38 750i had 322 hp and the E66 760i had 439 hp.

Just as dramatically as its power figures have progressed, so, too, has the car's styling, from its early days as more traditional luxury sedan right through its controversial period with Chris Bangle lines to today's modern look. Even the interior has come a long way over the lifespan of the 7 Series, starting out as barren, soberly Germanic (note the car phone) with a roomy back seat to a progressively more plush cabin stuffed with technology. See the progression for yourself in our gallery above, as well as in the press release below.

Continue reading BMW marks 25 years of 12-cylinder engines

BMW marks 25 years of 12-cylinder engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW M750i and 728i may be launching next March

George Kennedy — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW, Rumormill

Fresh off its mid-cycle update, the BMW 7 Series is once again the center of rumors, this time in the context of the new swath of M-branded vehicles that BMW is set to unleash upon the world. The rumor was dropped by German blog BimmerToday, and suggests that an M750i would join the ranks of the M550d, X5 M50d, and M135i. This seems rather plausible, as BMW has long been hesitant to produce an out-and-out M7 performance saloon.

If the rumors are to be believed, the M-variant 7 Series would have a version of the turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 currently in the 750i, but tuned to 450 horsepower. Power would be sent to either the rear wheels or all corners via BMW's xDrive. The question remains, though, what would happen to the Alpina B7 if this car were to come to market? All the added power and handling seems to fall right on top of the B7's piece of the 7 Series pie. Its future would remain to be seen.

Also in the rumor-mongering was word that there could be an entry-level 728i, employing BMW's N20B20 turbocharged 2.0-liter mill, albeit with the help of an electric motor. Such a vehicle would be slotted below the current 740i and positioned to take on small-displacement hybrid flagships from Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

Remember to take these reports with perhaps a few grains of salt; but its interesting to consider the possibility of BMW expanding the 7 Series lineup in both directions.

BMW M750i and 728i may be launching next March originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 BMW 7 Series makes its North American debut at Pebble Beach

Zach Bowman — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

Behold the 2013 BMW 750i. The German automaker's flagship sedan bowed to a North American audience for the very first time at Pebble Beach, and while designers kept the big 7 largely unchanged outside, buyers can look forward to a slew of incremental improvements indoors. Under the hood, engineers rustled up an additional additional 45 horsepower and 30 pound-feet of torque from the 4.4-liter V8 in the 750i thanks to the addition of Valvetronic. The swap nudges the machine's final power figures to 445 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of twist, which help scoot the massive four-door to 60 mph in a scant 4.7 seconds. Hi-ho, Silver.

Even with the nudge in performance, BMW says it has managed to improve efficiency by around 25 percent due to the addition of a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, the 740i continues on with the same horsepower for 2013, but receives a 20-percent jump in efficiency thanks to its eight-speed gearbox.

Look for a new ECO PRO powertrain management system to bow on both the 740i and 750i as well. The system helps eek every last bit of available efficiency from the engine and transmission and includes a coast mode that allows the 7 Series to freewheel at speeds between 30 and 100 mph.

2013 BMW 7 Series makes its North American debut at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW announces pricing for updated 2013 7 Series

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

The latest new bit of news surrounding the 2013 BMW 7 Series is a price tag: $74,195 gets you inside the large doors of the 740i, and that includes $895 destination (as do all prices that follow). The 740Li xDrive is a new addition slotted at the top of the 740 range and will run $81,195. Next up on the entry-price ladder is the ActiveHybrid 7 with a smaller but more more potent powertrain, 2.5 miles of EV range and better fuel economy, ringing up $84,895 at the till.

There's a $6,700 spread in prices for the model with the 445-horsepower, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, with the 750i starting things off at $87,195 and the 750Li xDrive running $93,895. It's quite a leap from there to the next plateau: the short-wheelbase Alpina B7 clocks in at $128,495, the long-wheelbase B7 requires $132,395. Adding xDrive to either of those models adds $3,000. But it's the in-house 760Li that tops the charts at $140,200.

The 2013 models have been breathed on everywhere, with design, powertrain, technology and efficiency tweaks providing comprehensive improvement. Have a look below for the full price list.

Continue reading BMW announces pricing for updated 2013 7 Series

BMW announces pricing for updated 2013 7 Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW reveals Alpina B7 upgrades for 2013

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:14:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

We've already read about the new features that will be available on the refreshed 2013 BMW 7 Series, but now, the German automaker has spilled the beans about its delicious Alpina B7, as well.

As you'd expect, the B7's 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 has been massaged for the new model year (including the addition of start/stop), and drivers will now be able to enjoy 540 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque - increases of 40 and 22, respectively. All of this runs through a new eight-speed automatic transmission and can be sent to the ground via standard rear-wheel drive or through BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system. BMW says that depending on drive configuration and wheelbase length, the sprint to 60 miles per hour can be achieved in either 4.3 or 4.4 seconds.

The slight visual enhancement to the 2013 7 Series is indeed noticeable here on the Alpina B7, with the larger kidney grille up front flanked by redesigned headlamps. Revised taillamps are found out back, and of course, the B7 is offered in its signature Alpina Blue Metallic rounded off with the car's signature 21-inch, 20-spoke wheels at all four corners.

BMW will officially debut the 2013 Alpina B7 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August. Short-wheelbase models will be priced at $127,600 (rear-wheel drive) and $130,600 (xDrive), with long-wheelbase B7s retailing for $131,500 and $134,500, respectively. Scroll down for the full details in BMW's press blast.

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BMW reveals Alpina B7 upgrades for 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diesel-powered BMW 7 Series headed to U.S.

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, BMW, Diesel, Luxury

According to a report in Car and Driver, the refreshed 2013 BMW 7 Series will be offered with diesel power here in the Untied States. The flagship BMW will be powered by the same 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six that's found elsewhere in the Roundel lineup, though as of this moment, it's still unclear what sort of power or fuel economy figures are expected in the 7 Series. Expect the production model to wear either 735d or 740d nomenclature.

For reference, the BMW X5 xDrive35d with this same engine produces 265 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. The all-wheel-drive X5 crossover is able to achieve up to 26 miles per gallon when equipped with the 3.0-liter diesel engine. The 7 Series is indeed a big boy, but we expect it to achieve better fuel economy numbers than the X5.

Car and Driver says that the diesel 7 Series should arrive in about one year's time, where it will compete against the Mercedes-Benz S350 Bluetec and Audi A8 3.0 TDI for diesel-powered luxury supremacy. The rest of the updated 2013 7 Series range goes on sale this summer.

Diesel-powered BMW 7 Series headed to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 BMW 7 Series arrives with more power, gadgets and safety [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:34:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, BMW, Luxury

The 2013 BMW 7 Series gets incremental improvements everywhere. Outside the changes are minimal: fewer vertical slats inside the kidney grille and a larger chrome surround, two horizontal chrome accents bars splitting the lower intake, restyled side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, and new shades of red on the taillights. Inside are resculpted front seats, more soundproofing, redesigned ambient lighting, an updated iDrive controller and "floating" screens for the Rear Seat Entertainment package, and an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system. Along with those changes, the look of the navigation system has been updated with new menu organization, displays, a "pie menu" and 3D elements. The Attention Assistant system provides gives BMW drivers their own coffee cup icon to remind you when it's time to rest and hands-free trunk operation makes its first appearance in the range.

The eight-speed steptronic transmission, fitted to every model, allows the new 7 to make more of its engines. Under the hood, the inline six-cylinder in the 740i maintains the same power ratings, 315 horsepower and 330 lb-ft, but is mated to the new eight-speed Steptronic transmission and said to have "significantly improved" efficiency, with a 20 percent increase noted in the EU cycle. The 4.4-liter V8 in the 750i gets fitted with Valvetronic and gets bumps of 45 hp and 30 lb-ft, for 445 hp and 480 lb-ft total. The changes reduce its 0-60 time to 4.7 seconds, at the same time as fuel economy on the EU cycle climbs 25 percent with the new transmission.

The second-gen ActiveHybrid 7 drops down an engine size, swapping its previous V8 for the 3.0-liter six-cylinder from the 740. It's yoked to a 55-hp synchronous motor. Rated at a combined 349 hp and 367 lb-ft, BMW says it is 14 percent more fuel efficient than the 740i.

Both the 740i and 750i will come with a new powertrain management system dubbed ECO PRO that joins the other Driving Dynamics Control settings and that includes a coasting mode operable between 30 and 100 mph. Other driving enhancements include Dynamic Damper Control, an electronically controlled damping system that works on each shock individually dependent on road conditions, self-leveling rear suspension now standard on all models, and xDrive available on the 740i.

Both the 740i and 750i will arrive in showrooms this summer, the ActiveHybrid 7 coming this fall. The high-res gallery above can show you what's coming, scroll down to read all about it in the press release.

UPDATE: A pair of official videos are now available by scrolling below.

Continue reading 2013 BMW 7 Series arrives with more power, gadgets and safety [w/video]

2013 BMW 7 Series arrives with more power, gadgets and safety [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 7 Series getting mid-cycle updates for 2013

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, BMW, Luxury

The 2013 BMW 7 Series has an appointment for some cosmetic surgery, according to a report in Car & Driver. The restyle will be minimal, with detail changes around the fascia going just far enough to let other 7 Series owners know that you have the latest model.

A more substantive change could occur under the skin of the ActiveHybrid 7, however. It's nearly $13,000 more expensive than it's non-hybrid counterparts but doesn't make an equally hard-to-ignore case for efficiency: the ActiveHybrid 750i has 55 more horsepower than the standard car, but is rated at 17 city / 26 highway versus 15 city / 22 highway. Speculation is that the ActiveHybrid 7 could get the six-cylinder powertrain from the ActiveHyrbrid 5 to improve its green credentials.

BMW 7 Series getting mid-cycle updates for 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 7 Series nip/tuck spotted

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, BMW, Luxury

Spy Shots: BMW 7 Series - Click above for high-res image gallery

The current-generation BMW 7 Series, or F01 to you Bimmerphiles, was launched in 2009. After the German luxobarge hit the streets, Audi and Jaguar decided to launch their own redesigned flagship sedans. Mercedes-Benz will soon step out with an updated S-Class, and that means BMW will need to give its 7 Series a touch-up. Spy photographers managed to capture a camo-clad 7 hiding some of the newly updated exterior features.

If you look at the photographs closely, you can see that BMW will add an LED strip above the headlights. The front bumper has been redesigned, and the turn signals now sit on the side mirrors. Out back, a revised rear bumper wraps up the exterior upgrades. As the camo tape eventually comes off, we expect to find more nuanced updates before a lightly re-skinned production version hits an upcoming auto show stage.

BMW 7 Series nip/tuck spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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