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. Offered with rear- or all-wheel drive, the 7 Series is also available in regular- and extended-length versions. The luxury sedan is available with four or five seats and is powered by a six-cylinder engine in the 740i and ActiveHybrid 7, a V-8 in the 750i, and a V-12 in the 760i. There’s also a performance-oriented V-8-powered Alpina B7.
New for 2013
The 740i and 750i now have an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the drivetrains include fuel-saving stop-start technology. The 750i’s twin-turbo V-8 engine makes more power and is now rated at 445 horsepower and 480 pounds-feet of torque.
On the outside, the 7 Series receives styling tweaks including a larger grille, full-width air intake with a revised front apron, LED headlight rings and newly available LED headlamps. The side mirrors have integrated turn signals, and the taillights and rear apron receive slight changes. Meanwhile, the 7 Series cabin gets new front seats, adjustable ambient lighting, an available Bang & Olufsen stereo, an updated navigation system and enhanced soundproofing.
Exterior
The current 7 Series gets a slight refresh on the outside this year, with updated headlights, a revised grille and a redesigned front air intake. 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 less 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
- Available LED headlights
- 18-inch wheels; 19- and 20-inch wheels optional
- 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 system 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
- Optional Bang & Olufsen premium stereo
Under the Hood
The engine lineup includes a 315-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder for the 740 and ActiveHybrid 7; a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 for the 750; and a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V-12 with 535 hp for the 760. The V-8 produces 445 hp in the 750 and 500 hp in the Alpina B7. Mechanical features include:
- Rear-wheel drive
- Available 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 sedan
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 warning system
