Vehicle Overview
BMW’s flagship 7 Series is a full-size luxury sedan that competes with top-line luxury cars like the Audi A8, Jaguar XJ and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The V-8-powered 750 comes in regular and extended lengths with rear- or all-wheel drive. The luxury sedan is available with four or five seats, and there’s also a six-cylinder 740 as well as a V-12 760, an ActiveHybrid 750 and a performance-oriented Alpina B7.
New for 2012
All models add a standard iPod/USB adapter, sport steering wheel and a backup camera. V-8 models gain 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and a premium stereo. In a cost-cutting move, the ActiveHybrid 750 loses its standard leather dashboard, head-up display, and active and ventilated front seats.
Exterior
The current 7 Series adopts more conservative styling than its predecessor. It’s also a bit larger. The optional M Sport Package augments the exterior with more aggressive lower bodywork and darker Shadowline door and window trim. Exterior features include:
- Extended-length versions are 5.5 inches longer
- Aluminum roof, doors, hood and front fenders for decreased weight
- Optional high-beam assist automatically dims high beams for oncoming drivers
- Standard xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights
- Standard adaptive headlights move with steering wheel
- 18-inch wheels
- Optional 19- or 20-inch wheels
- 21-inch wheels (Alpina B7)
Interior
An array of entertainment and comfort features is available. BMW’s iDrive system, which controls the navigation system, stereo, climate control and other functions, was revised in recent years to make it more user-friendly. Interior features include:
- 10.2-inch dashboard screen for iDrive
- Four-zone climate control, including independent control for rear passengers
- Optional rear massaging and ventilated seats
- Optional rear entertainment system with dual screens in head restraints
- Optional head-up display
- Optional night vision with pedestrian detection
Under the Hood
The engine lineup includes a 315-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder for the 740; a 4.4-liter V-8 for the 750, Alpina B7 and ActiveHybrid models; and a 6.0-liter V-12 with 535 hp for the 760. The V-8 produces 400 hp in the 750, 440 hp in the ActiveHybrid 750 and 500 hp in the Alpina B7. All engines have twin turbochargers. The ActiveHybrid 750 has lithium-ion batteries, which power an electric motor that assists the V-8 during acceleration.
The 750 and Alpina B7 are available with rear-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive, which can send up to 80 percent of power to the rear wheels if needed, keeping acceleration and handling traits similar to those of the rear-wheel-drive 7 Series. Mechanical features include:
- Six-speed automatic transmission (six-cylinder and V-8 models)
- Eight-speed automatic transmission (ActiveHybrid 750 and V-12)
- Rear- or all-wheel drive
Safety
Safety features include:
- Standard side curtain airbags
- Standard front-seat side-impact airbags
- Standard knee airbags
- Standard electronic stability system
- Optional lane departure warning system
- Optional blind spot monitoring system
