The sales market of executive limousines has been slowly increasing over the last several years. These extra-long sedans->ke142 provide unsurpassed comfort, technology and refinement. Formerly the sole domain of rear-wheel drive German sedans with huge cylinder counts, the market has seen quite a shakeup over the last few years. Hyundai->ke201 is trying to steal sales with the Equus->ke3333, and companies like Audi->ke14 have released more fuel efficient, diesel-powered versions of its A8L, and nearly every competitor now offers an AWD variant.

BMW->ke178 is looking to take eyes away from the competition with its own fuel-efficient, all-weather model. The newly announced 740Ld xDrive combines a fuel-sipping diesel engine with the xDrive AWD system and crams it all under the sheetmetal of BMW’s biggest car.

Is this the winning combination that BMW needs to keep from hemorrhaging buyers to competitors like Hyundai, Jaguar->ke39 and Audi? We have all the details below to help you decide for yourself.

2014 BMW 750Ld xDrive

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 BMW 750Ld xDrive
  • Horsepower: 255 @ 4000
  • Torque: 413 @ 1500
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The outside of the 740Ld is very traditional BMW. It shares strong family resemblance to every other model that the Bavarian company produces. The shape is inoffensive, and from some angles, boring. The 7 Series is far from an ugly vehicle, but the machines from Audi->ke14, Mercedes and especially Jaguar->ke39, are far more handsome and modern.

Interior

Since this is merely an engine change, the 740Ld comes with the same well-appointed interior of the 740Li. That means miles of soft leather, slabs of wood trim, climate control for every passenger and available heated seats with massage. You can also get the headliner in Alcantara as well as a rear seat entertainment system that features a six-disc DVD changer.

Entertainment options include sound systems by either Bang & Olufsen or Harman Kardon.

The driver is pampered with extras like a heads-up display and a heated steering wheel.

Drivetrain

The biggest news of the 2014 740Ld xDrive revolves around the “d.” This signifies that this particular BMW gets motivation from a turbo-diesel engine. The 3.0-liter BMW Advanced Diesel engine is a straight-six design and features TwinPower turbocharging. That means that 255 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque are at the call of your right foot.

The TwinPower designation is a little ingenuous here, as the new diesel only uses a single turbocharger, but it does make use of a variable vane design to reduce lag and provide greater overall control of boost pressure.

Thanks to the immense torque provided by this engine, the massive BMW can hit 60 mph from a dead stop in 6.1 seconds. That is quicker than a Golf GTI despite the fact that the 7 Series weighs 1,500 pounds more.

While the performance is great, the biggest advantage of the diesel comes in the form of fuel economy. BMW has yet to release official numbers but they quote a 25 to 30-percent increase. That should equate to about 35 mpg on the highway.

2014 BMW 740Ld - Drivetrain Specifications

Engine Type

3.0-Liter Turbo-Diesel I-6

Horsepower @ RPM

255 @ 4,000 RPM

Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

413 @ 1,500-3,000 RPM

Acceleration (0-60 MPH)

6.1 Sec.


Competitors

Audi A8L TDI->ke1089

The Audi A8L may represent the benchmark of the breed. With the legendary Quattro AWD system and a 36 mpg highway fuel economy rating, the BMW has its work cut out. However, the Audi’s V-6 engine is down on power and torque just slightly in comparison to the BMW, and it also has a slower 0-to-60 time.

Jaguar XJL AWD->ke1206

The Jaguar is not sold with a diesel engine option, but it surpasses the BMW in looks, price and performance. With one of the best looking cars on the market, it is hard to deny the Jaguar is a desirable machine that many people will be looking to purchase.

Conclusion

Diesel engines are slowing starting to permeate the car market and it makes sense to see them hit this segment. With fuel economy and emissions becoming a great concern every day a turbocharged diesel is the perfect way to cut fuel use without sacrificing drivability.

We won’t say this is better than the A8L until we get some wheel time with both cars, but on paper, BMW looks to have a winner with the 2014 BMW 740Ld xDrive.