The BMW 7-Series started back in 1977 and has gone through five generations since then. The BMW 7-Series is only available as a sedan and is powered by three gasoline and two diesel variants, along with xDrive all-wheel drive. The engines are mated to either a six-speed automatic transmission or an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The 4.4L twin turbo V8 produces 400/440hp and 450lb-ft of torque while the 4.4L V8/Electric Hybrid gets 455 net hp and 516 net lb-ft of torque. The giant 6.0L twin turbo V12 pushes out 535 hp and 550lb-ft of torque.
Last month we saw a sketch of the closest thing well get to a BMW M7, the Alpina B7. Now a quick spy photographer was able to catch the car out testing before is premiere in Geneva.
Outside the car doesn’t seem to differ too much from the standard 2009 7-Series. Alpina seems to have just added a custom front lip spoiler, rear spoiler, and 21-inch wheels. Beneath the skin is where the real fun of the car is. The new Alpina B7 should be powered by a modified version of BMW’s 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivering around 507HP (7 hp more than the current B7).
BMW UK added a new model to the 7-series line-up: the 730Ld, the long-wheelbase version of the 730d that adds 14cms of legroom for rear seat passengers. The prices will start from £56,790.
The new BMW 730Ld is powered by an all-aluminium 2,993cc straight-six cylinder diesel engine that produces 245hp at 4,000rpm. A peak torque figure of 540Nm is attained from 1,750rpm through to 3,000rpm and this results in a zero to 62mph time of 7.3 seconds and a 153mph top speed. Its 194g/km emission figure is class-leading for conventionally powered luxury cars, as is its 38.7mpg combined consumption figure. The BMW 730Ld comes with a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard.
Press release after the jump.
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BMW makes a M3 and a M5, but it doesn’t make an M7. That’s where Alpina comes in with the B7.
The tuner has a long standing close relationship with BMW, so now that there is a new 7-Series out, the new B7 close on its heels. In fact, reports now say that the car will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The new Alpina B7 should be powered by a modified version of BMW’s 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivering around 507HP (7 hp more than the current B7).
BMW brought its hybrid program to the Detroit Auto Show this year. While the BMW X6 Hybrid and the new BMW 7-Series Hybrid are nothing new, the announcement was: BMW will have these hybrid cars in U.S dealerships by the end of this year.
The "two-mode" hybrid system for these Bimmers was developed in conjunction with General Motors and Chrysler. So we’ve seen this system before in cars like the Dodge Durango Hybrid we had in our fleet.
The BMW 7 Series Hybrid should use a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 that delivers 407 hp and 442lb ft, working in combination with an AC electric motor that can add another 20 hp and 155lb ft of torque. We don’t have as much detail yet on the X6 hybrid, but we do know it will use a V8 gas engine partnered with an electric motor. Both cars will also likely take advantage of stop/start technology and regenerative braking to boost milage and power.
BMW announced the US pricing on the 2009 7-Series that made its world debut at the Paris Auto Show. The base price for the 750i is $81,125 and the 750Li is $85,025 (including $825 for destination and handling). Both models began production in November and will arrive at BMW Centers in the spring.
On the other hand, BMW announced that starting January 1st, 2009 all the price for all the models sold in USA will be increased by 0.7 percent.
The new BMW 7 Series is entering the market with a V8 and a straight-six gasoline engine both featuring Twin Turbo technology and direct fuel injection (High Precision Injection). The eight-cylinder developing maximum output of 407 hp between 5,500 and 6,400 rpm in the BMW 750i, for example, is the most efficient engine in its performance class and the only engine of its kind worldwide with the turbochargers fitted in the V-space between the two rows of cylinders.
