Progress and efficiency with added variety: additional drive system variants and innovations for the new BMW 7 Series.

Munich. Now more than ever, the number 7 stands for driving pleasure, long-distance comfort and pioneering technology. Just a few months after the world premiere of the fully electric BMW i7, more new options are set to join the line-up of drive systems available for the new BMW 7 Series in November 2022. Two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants – including the first BMW M model in the new BMW 7 Series range – will delight and excite customers in numerous markets around the world with the combined power of a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine and an updated electric drive system. This commitment to electrification also optimises the efficiency of the new BMW 740d xDrive available in European markets (fuel consumption combined: 6.8 – 6.1 litres/100 km [41.5 – 46.3 mpg imp]; CO₂ emissions combined: 178 – 160 g/km in the WLTP cycle; figures for the NEDC cycle: – ), whose six-cylinder in-line diesel engine is boosted by state-of-the-art 48V mild hybrid technology.

The increased variety of available drive systems opens up a breadth of experience in terms of driving dynamics, progressive luxury and feel-good ambience that none of the BMW 7 Series’ rivals can match. This is the result of a newly developed, flexible vehicle architecture for the 7 Series and the expression of a globally oriented offer structure which allows the model range to be adapted individually for each specific market. The BMW Group is therefore taking into account the particular customer needs, infrastructure landscape and legal conditions in the different regions of the world.

Plug-in hybrid innovation from BMW: compact transmission pre-gearing stage provides even more authoritative electric power.

The drive systems fitted in the two plug-in hybrid models bring together a six-cylinder in-line engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission. In both cars, the power generated by the two drive units is channelled to the road via the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system.

The electric motor fitted in the two models features the latest generation of BMW eDrive technology for plug-in hybrid models. The synchronous motor with a specific power output of more than 5.0 kW/kg has a rated output of 145 kW/197 hp in the two PHEV variants and its rev band has been stretched to a maximum 11,500 rpm.

In addition, a pre-gearing stage is used to increase the torque produced by the electric motor to an effective maximum of 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) at the transmission input on the engine side. This innovation, patented and used for the first time by BMW, enables the electric drive system integrated into the transmission housing in a compact, weight-saving design to generate drive torque available either on its own or in addition to the power developed by the combustion engine that could normally only be achieved using a far larger and heavier electric motor. The optimised power delivery achieved with the pre-gearing stage between the electric motor’s rotor and the transmission’s input shaft makes a clear difference both when accelerating off the line and putting in a quick burst of speed.

Premiere in the BMW 7 Series: the first performance car from BMW M GmbH with a plug-in hybrid drive system.

A performance profile injected with extra sporting potency and an aura of top-end dynamism mark out the new BMW M760e xDrive (fuel consumption combined: 1.3 – 1.0 litres/100 km [217.3 – 282.5 mpg imp]; electric power consumption combined: 21.8 – 20.2 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 29 – 23 g/km in the WLTP cycle; figures for the NEDC cycle: – ). This is the first performance car from BMW M GmbH with a plug-in hybrid drive system. The combustion engine is a 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line unit with M TwinPower Turbo technology, a rated output of 280 kW/380 hp and rated torque of 520 Nm (383 lb-ft). And it teams up with a new electric motor to generate system output of 420 kW/571 hp (with temporary boost) and system torque of 800 Nm (590 lb-ft).

The new BMW M760e xDrive accelerates from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds and completes the mid-range sprint from 80 – 120 km/h (50 – 75 mph) in just 2.7 seconds. In so doing, the BMW M760e xDrive combines intoxicating performance attributes with the option of locally emission-free driving pleasure in urban areas and beyond. M-specific design features, interior trim and cockpit displays also dovetail neatly with the Sedan’s ambience of modern luxury.

In the new BMW 750e xDrive (fuel consumption combined: 1.1 – 1.0 litres/ 100 km [256.8 – 282.5 mpg imp]; electric power consumption combined:
20.8 – 19.7 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 25 – 22 g/km in the WLTP cycle; figures for the NEDC cycle: – ), the new electric drive system again links up with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine, this time developing a rated output of 230 kW/313 hp and rated torque of 450 Nm (332 lb-ft). Working in tandem, the two power sources produce system output of 360 kW/490 hp (with temporary boost) and system torque of 700 Nm (516 lb-ft). This allows the new BMW 750e xDrive to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds and from 80 – 120 km/h (50 – 75 mph) in only 2.7 seconds.

The electric motors for the two plug-in hybrid models source their energy from a lithium-ion high-voltage battery installed in the vehicle floor, which is likewise the product of fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology. At 18.7 kWh, the battery’s usable energy content is more than 50 per cent higher than that available with the previous generation of the technology. Maximum AC charging power is 7.4 kW. In combination with the efficiency of the electric motor and intelligent energy management including adaptive recuperation, this gives the new BMW M760e xDrive an electric range of 77 – 85 kilometres / 48 – 53 miles in the WLTP cycle and the new BMW 750e xDrive a range of 83 – 87 kilometres / 52 – 54 miles as per WLTP. 

Six-cylinder in-line diesel engine with cutting-edge 48V mild hybrid technology.

The consistent advances achieved under the banner of BMW EfficientDynamics also benefit the new diesel engine for the BMW 7 Series. In the new BMW 740d xDrive, an extensively updated combustion engine teams up with the latest 48V mild hybrid technology featuring an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission. The result is maximum output of 220 kW/300 hp (generated by the combination of the engine with up to 210 kW/286 hp and the integrated electric motor with up to 13 kW/18 hp) and peak torque von 670 Nm / 494 lb-ft (generated by the combination of the engine with up to 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) and the integrated electric motor with up to 200 Nm (147 lb-ft)).

The 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line diesel powering the BMW 740d xDrive has new steel pistons which enable particularly high combustion pressure and enrich the engine’s soundtrack. The effectiveness of the oil separation process has also been enhanced compared with the predecessor engine. The new common-rail direct injection system now works with solenoid valve injectors which provide up to 12 injections per power stroke with maximum pressure of 2,500 bar.

The latest generation of mild-hybrid technology ensures the additional power comes on tap with particular immediacy and the level of recuperation is high, so as to improve efficiency. The electric motor is integrated – together with its power electronics – into the housing of the eight-speed Steptronic transmission, where it also assumes the role of a crankshaft-driven starter generator. The rapid power delivery of the electrified drive system enables acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.8 seconds. Added to which, the high-precision interplay between the combustion engine and electric motor enhances the efficiency and smoothness of the drive system, making it ideally suited for service in the new BMW 7 Series.

Availability and prices.

The BMW 740d xDrive can be ordered with immediate effect and the two plug-in hybrid models from 12 October 2022. Deliveries to customers will commence in spring 2023. Prices in Germany start at €114,300 for the BMW 740d xDrive, €123,500 for the BMW 750e xDrive and €144,000 for the BMW M760e xDrive (including 19% VAT in each case).