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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.

Continue reading 2013 BMW 750Li [w/video]

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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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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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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Report: Thieves swipe $140K BMW 7 Series in Detroit during auto show *UPDATE

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Etc., BMW, Luxury

2010 BMW 760Li - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Detroit Auto Show is proving to be more eventful for BMW than the automaker had originally intended. As workers were preparing to load a BMW 7 Series onto a transport truck near Detroit's Westin Book Cadillac hotel, a pair of thieves jumped in and drove off with the German luxury sedan. The car is said to be worth $140,000, and as of this writing, local police have had no luck tracking down the stolen vehicle. Thankfully, this 7 Series is equipped with BMW Assist, which locates a vehicle if it's stolen, so it's only a matter of time before cops close in on the BMW bandits.

If some brand-new 7 Series parts wind up on Craigslist's Detroit-area 'for sale' section, we're willing to bet the sale price is too-good-to-be-true for a reason.

Gallery: 2010 BMW 760Li: Quick Spin

Photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

*UPDATE: According to a new report in the Detroit Free Press, the missing BMW 750i xDrive, now understood to be worth $94,000, has been recovered at a gated apartment complex on Detroit's west side. It is not immediately clear if the car's onboard tracking device led to its recovery by police, or what the condition of the vehicle is.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Report: Thieves swipe $140K BMW 7 Series in Detroit during auto show *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 BMW 750i

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sedan, BMW, New Car Reviews, Luxury

2009 BMW 750i - Click above for high-res image gallery

The BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes-Benz S-class are two vehicles utterly defined by their birthplace. Each was spawned in Southern Germany, where massive stretches of autobahn honed their ability to cover boundless distances at high velocities, cosseting occupants in Teutonic luxury. But they're decidedly different beasts. In spite of their similarities, the two brands have always had distinct personalities. BMW followed its tag-line of the "Ultimate Driving Machine," while Mercedes stuck to its more sober image, focusing on its "Best in German engineering" meme.

As so often happens, automakers feel compelled to grow and expand beyond traditional audiences, and at times, the result is a diluted product that strays from its roots. When everyone is attempting to cater to the broadest possible audience, overlap is inevitable and distinctions begin to disappear. Look no further than the American mid-size sedan segment, or in this case, the last generation 7-series. So for 2009, BMW sought to re-focus its uber-sedan on what it does best. Read on to find out if BMW succeeded or if the new 7 suffers from further dilution.

Gallery: Review: 2009 BMW 750i

Continue reading Review: 2009 BMW 750i

Review: 2009 BMW 750i originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW announces pricing for 2009 7 Series, raises prices on everything else

Chris Paukert — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, BMW

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2009 BMW 7 Series

The latest iteration of BMW's all-singing, all-dancing plutocrat limo will roll out the door starting at $81,125. That sum will get buyers the 2009 750i (including $825 for destination charges), but those who are looking for a bit more legroom in back will have to pay $85,025 for the 750Li. Production for these models began last month, but don't expect to see them on the forecourts of your local BMW Center until later this spring.

The rest of the BMW lineup is also getting a nudge on pricing, with the average MSRP climbing by 0.7 percent. All pricing increases are effective January 1, 2009; so if you're planning on gifting yourself a M5 or X6 for the holidays, make sure you do so before New Year's.

Click on the jump for BMW's official press release and full-line model pricing for 2009.

Gallery: 2009 BMW 7 Series

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW announces pricing for 2009 7 Series, raises prices on everything else

BMW announces pricing for 2009 7 Series, raises prices on everything else originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: New BMW 750Li and 730d out for beauty shots

Chris Shunk — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, BMW

Hit the jump for video of the 2009 BMW 7-Series

The new BMW 7 Series has undergone a makeover, with less polarizing looks and a healthy dose of Concept CS all around. It has only been a couple days since we got our first official eyeful of the new Bavarian top dog, and now we've got video of the 750i and 730d. Hit the jump to seeand hear the oil and petrol powered Bimmers as they tackle the twisties and pose for the cameras. There is no soundtrack, no fancy graphics, just the redone 7 Series. Enjoy!

Gallery: 2009 BMW 7 Series

[Source: World Car Fans]

Continue reading VIDEO: New BMW 750Li and 730d out for beauty shots

VIDEO: New BMW 750Li and 730d out for beauty shots originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: 2009 BMW 7 Series

Alex Nunez — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, BMW

Click above for a high-res gallery of the new 7 Series

BMW has officially announced the details pertaining to the 5th generation 7 Series, so let's cut right to the chase. In Europe, there are five models arriving on the market in November of this year: the 730d; the 740i and Li; and the 750i and Li. The latter two are powered by the same twin-turbo 4.4L V8 that debuted in the X6. In the U.S.-market 7 Series, the turbo eight is rated at 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, and it is the sole engine option being made available. If you want a BMW 7 Series in America, it will be a 750.

Europeans get more choices. The 730d's 3.0L diesel I6 pumps out 245 horses with nearly 400 lb-ft of torque. Despite the grunt, it boasts a combined fuel economy number of 32.6 U.S. miles per gallon (39.2 Imperial). The 740 models are powered by the now-familiar 3.0L twin-turbo gasoline engine. In the 7, the 3.0TT's power output is 326 horses and 332 lb-ft -- enough to hustle the 740Li from 0 to 62 mph in six seconds flat. All the engines are connected to a six-speed automatic. Follow the jump for more details and BMW's official press release.

Gallery: 2009 BMW 7 Series

Continue reading Officially Official: 2009 BMW 7 Series

Officially Official: 2009 BMW 7 Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorcycle headcase #1: HMS builds a bike powered by BMW V12

Eric Bryant — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., BMW

It should come as little surprise that several of us here at Autoblog are motorcycle fans, and one can also find broad support for the axiom "there's no replacement for displacement" among staffers. We typically don't combine both of those into one project, though (the turbocharged Vmax project languishing in the polebarn for the last five years notwithstanding). Those wacky Germans over at HMS don't share our inhibitions, though, and managed to drop a 5.5L V12 from a BMW 750i into a custom drag bike. If that's not enough, plans are in the works to throw on a couple of turbos and a bit of laughing gas. We're damn near speechless, but we'd love to hear that V12 cut loose on a quarter-mile pass.

[Source: The Kneeslider; a hat tip to Eliot from Hackaday]

Motorcycle headcase #1: HMS builds a bike powered by BMW V12 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Apr 2006 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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