The BMW 7 Series is set for some significant updates for 2013, including the addition of the 740Li xDrive model, major powertrain upgrades for the 750i xDrive and 750Li xDrive models, the adoption of BMW’s 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission in all variants, and a completely new powertrain for the ActiveHybrid 7.
The new 7 Series also gets a revised exterior with new technologies such as available LED headlights and a revised interior with a redesigned iDrive system and the availability of an optional Bang & Olufsen High-End Surround Sound system.
The 2013 7 Series arrives in Canada in late summer 2012, while the ActiveHybrid 7 is expected to arrive in early fall.
In addition to the 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, every 7 Series model now features Auto Start-Stop, which can cut fuel consumption by up to 6%, brake Energy Regeneration and the second-generation Driving Dynamics Control with ECO PRO to provide additional potential for fuel-saving.
Driving Dynamics Control allows the driver to tailor accelerator response characteristics, engine response, power steering characteristics, and the Dynamic Stability Control thresholds.
With the addition of the 740Li xDrive to the model range, the BMW 7 Series lineup expands to a total of five model variants.
The 740Li xDrive features a high-performance version of BMW’s latest 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder (N55) engine with a single twin-scroll turbocharger, rated at 315 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. It accelerates from 0-to-100 km in 5.7 seconds (preliminary) while setting a new benchmark for fuel efficiency.
The 760Li, with its 6.0-liter Twin Turbo V-12 engine, remains the pinnacle in the 7 Series lineup.
The 2013 BMW 750i xDrive and 750Li xDrive also receive upgrades to their powertrain that enhance performance while improving efficiency. The 4.4-litre TwinPower Turbo V-8 delivers 445 horsepower, a 45 hp increase over its predecessor, and 480 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 30 lb-ft.
It boasts a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.8 seconds (preliminary),while consuming significantly less fuel. While Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption figures are yet to be confirmed, in the EU test cycle, fuel consumption was reduced by 25%.
The second generation of the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 now uses BMW’s 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine. In this application it is the same 315 hp version as in the new BMW 740Li xDrive, replacing the V-8 engine previously.
Other hybrid components include a 55 hp synchronous electric motor, hybrid-spec 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, a lithium ion high-performance battery and power electronics which run the intelligent energy management.
With combined output of 349 horsepower and peak torque of 367 lb-ft, the ActiveHybrid 7 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds (preliminary), while delivering significantly improved fuel efficiency. In the EU test cycle it yields efficiency gains of 14% over the new 740Li which itself sees an impressive improvement over its predecessor.