2009 BMW 7 Series adds diesel
December 8, 2008 by David Twomey
BMW today announced it would add a third model to the 2009 7 Series line-up, the diesel powered 730d, which will go on sale mid-way through the year.
The 730d will use BMW’s new turbocharged, straight six-cylinder engine, which produces 180kW of power and 540Nm of torque.
The new BMW 730d will accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 7.2 seconds and has a top speed of 245km/h.
Despite the impressive acceleration, the BMW 730d returns the lowest fuel consumption yet in a BMW luxury class vehicle of this type, using just 7.2 litres of diesel for each 100km.
Unfortunately that figure means that it misses out by just 0.2L/100km on a $5400 price saving under the Australian Government’s new Luxury Car Tax regime, which rewards cars that return a fuel consumption of less than 7.0L/100km.
We have to agree with BMW that this level of consumption would be considered impressive even in a small vehicle, let alone a five-metre long luxury car.
In addition the BMW 730d complies with the most stringent Euro5 European emissions legislation thus far proposed.
While pricing will be announced closer to the release of the 730d in June/July next year CarAdvice expects the frugal limo could be a price leader for the 7 Series with a tag f around $200,000.
The 730d will join a range of new 7 Series BMWs, the first the get a new model designation as BMW has exhausted its ‘E’ nomenclature and future models will move to ‘F’ with the 7 Series become the F01.
Tom Noble, General Manager, Marketing at BMW Group Australia. Said;” The new generation 7 Series embodies all our latest innovation, and even with its petrol engines reduces as far as possible fuel use. But the 730d takes fuel economy into a new league, with almost 30 percent less fuel required to cover 100 km compared with the 740i.”
At the beginning of 2009 BMW will launch four petrol models, two with 3.0-litre Twin Turbo, straight-six cylinder engines, the 240kW 740i, and long-wheelbase 740Li, and two models powered by the all new Twin Turbo 300kW V8 engine, in the 750i and long-wheelbase 750Li.
These will be the first time BMW has offered a six-cylinder 7 Series in Australia since the demise of the E32 730i and 735i in 1992. The new, advanced high precision direct injection six combines frugal consumption and exhilarating performance in an engine that will charm and excite its drivers.
BMW claims the 740i and 740Li are the fastest accelerating, most frugal and most powerful cars in their class.
The new Twin Turbo V8 is the first such engine ever from BMW and features a host of innovations, such as direct petrol injection and the installation of the turbochargers in the V- section of the engine between the two rows of cylinders.
Performance from the 4.4-litre 750i and 750Li closely shadows that of the previous generation V12 6.0-litre engine of the flagship 760Li.
The F01 model 7 Series will offer unique features include Brake Energy Regeneration, Integral Active Steering, which can steer the rear wheels as well as the front, enhanced Night Vision with its new human recognition and warning system, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Head-Up Display, Runflat Safety Tyres, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go Function,Variable Light Distribution and adaptive headlight range control.
Increased safety and manoeuvrability also comes courtesy of System Side View with its front bumper mounted cameras. There’s even an on board integrated owners manual, specific to each individual vehicle, that explains all of the features via the new iDrive system display, with its large high-resolution full colour screen and the new iDrive Controller.
“The new BMW 7 Series will quickly be viewed as the premium car in the segment, not just for its appealing styling or its high performance engines or its unmatched range of standard and customer selectable equipment, but because as a complete package, it is unbeatable,” said Guenther Seemann, Managing Director of BMW Group Australia.
BMW 7 Series pricing
BMW 740i $203,000
BMW 740Li $218,000
BMW 750i $274,000
BMW 750Li $291,000
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Although I haven’t driven the diesel version of the new 7 Series yet, I have driven a 740Li and I have to say that it does really strike an impressive balance between drivers car and chauffeured car. Saying that, I would still rather an S Class or an A8. There is just something so boring about the new 7 Series. I don’t know if its because the most out there colour available is a greyish blue, or, if you think about it, maybe it’s because the last one was so interesting because it was so ugly and there was much controversy in the car world, but that didn’t happen this time. Not sure.
I disagree that this car is boring, per se, but however do agree with the last generation (pre-facelift, mind) was indeed a very interesting car if not for its looks. It had presence, while the facelift of the last E65/66 lost it all.
Pity about the lack of a twin-turbo diesel option to replace the V8 turbodiesel that they have in Europe (not to mention to provide a diesel ‘performance’ side; would the extra torque not suit the limo’s characteristics more?)
Buyers of this sort of car usually only go for silver, gray or black, so the lack of color choice (unusually, for a BMW) wouldn’t seem so surprising to me. Mind you, the A8 and S-class don’t exactly have a bright selection from their standard palettes either =p
The big stuff doesnt do much for me personally apart from all the cool gimmicks like the adaptive headlights and the fact the next manual comes in electronic form,the kinda car you sit in the back seat and play with all the buttons !
I love it the metal looks so taut and it is just amazing especially the rear quarter view to me it sits between the A8 and S in sportiness but i really hate the S it is to much with those horrible arches and ssangyoung lights
I really wish (and I also think it would be really cool) that BMW would put a manual option in the 7 Series. They are always going on about being a drivers brand, then give us a drivers gearbox, or at least a properly descent double clutch.
Diesels been round here a while now. BMW AU seem to be playing catchup as Audi had there 3.0d donk in the A6 downunder 3 yrs ago.
Nice though but would prefer the A8 personally