Help Us Improve Cars.com! Take Our 10-Second Survey
|
|
|
By Jim FlammangCars.com
September 26, 2003
Following the earlier debut of BMW’s redesigned V-8-powered flagship 745i sedan, a rear-wheel-drive 760Li companion with a V-12 engine beneath its hood arrived during the 2004 model year. Loaded with technical advances, the 6.0-liter V-12 engine develops 438 horsepower. In the previous 7 Series generation, the V-12 made 326 hp. Sirius Satellite Radio is optional in 2004 models. A six-speed adaptive automatic transmission uses shift-by-wire technology and is controlled with a selector behind the steering wheel. Steptronic manual gear changes can be made. The styling of the 760Li is virtually identical to the company’s 745i/745Li, but only a long-wheelbase version with a pneumatic rear suspension is offered. BMW’s iDrive system places the most-used controls in and around the steering wheel, while others are in a rotary dial controller between the seats. An electronic parking brake is used, and Active Cruise Control can maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead. “We actually don’t want to sell a car to a person who has no interest in technology,” said Tom Purves, chairman and chief executive officer of BMW North America. Exterior The styling of the 760Li is virtually identical to that in the 745i/745Li, which has been praised by some for its freshness yet faulted by others — especially for the rear-end’s shape. The 760Li’s design elements follow BMW tradition and include the familiar twin-kidney grille, four headlights and a “reverse kink” in the C-pillar. Bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights operate with both high and low beams. An “eyebrow” turn signal appears above each headlight cluster, and a high-pressure headlight cleaning system is installed. Built on a 123.2-inch wheelbase, the 760Li stretches to 203.5 inches long overall. An aluminum suspension with Active Roll Stabilization is intended to reduce body roll. Only a long-wheelbase version with a pneumatic rear suspension is offered. The sedan’s noticeable styling touches include extra-wide rear doors, chrome-plated roof strips and chrome inserts in the bumpers. Interior Like both V-8 models, the 760Li seats five people. Because it has a longer wheelbase, backseat occupants enjoy an additional 5.5 inches of legroom for limousinelike accommodations. The longer doors ease entry and exit. The door openings are infinitely variable rather than fitted with specific stops, and an optional Comfort Access system opens and closes the door as soon as the driver moves the handle. Rear passengers can have optional, separate automatic air conditioning with a cooling box for beverages. An electronically controlled sunblind for the rear window and a LOGIC7 stereo system will be standard. An optional video monitor and a 6.5-inch screen that fits into the tunnel console is available for backseat entertainment. Under the Hood BMW’s 6.0-liter aluminum V-12 engine produces 438 hp and teams with an adaptive six-speed-automatic transmission that incorporates Steptronic for manually selected gear changes. Safety Antilock brakes, side-impact airbags for the front seats and BMW’s Head Protection System are standard. Rear-seat side-impact airbags extend BMW’s inflatable tubular structure to the rear passengers. Knee airbags for front occupants are also installed. BMW’s automatic parking brake feature prevents rolling in stop-and-go traffic. Active Cruise Control can maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead. Find a USED 2004 760 for SaleFind used car inventory in your area.
|
||||||||||
|
|||||
|
