The fourth generation of the
BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series is a full-size luxury sedan manufactured and marketed by the German automaker BMW since 1977. It is the successor to the BMW E3 "New Six" sedan and is now in its seventh generation.
The 7 Series is BMW's flagship car and is on ...
consists of the BMW E65 and BMW E66 luxury cars. The E65/E66 was produced from 2001 to 2008 and is often collectively referred to as the E65. The E65 replaced the
E38 7 Series and was produced with petrol and turbo-diesel straight-six and V8 engines, along with a petrol V12 flagship model.
The E65 was the first BMW vehicle to include the
iDrive
iDrive is an in-car communications and entertainment system, used to control most secondary vehicle systems in late-model BMW cars. It was launched in 2001, first appearing in the E65 7 Series. The system unifies an array of functions under a ...
infotainment system and the controversial exterior styling (overseen by
Chris Bangle
Christopher Edward Bangle (born October 14, 1956) is an American automobile designer. Bangle is known best for his work as Chief of Design for BMW Group, where he was responsible for the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce motor cars.
Early life
Bangl ...
) marked a significant departure from traditional BMW styling. Other new features included active anti-roll bars, a six-speed automatic transmission, an electronic ''Smart Key'' (dispensing with the traditional metallic key), and night vision. The 760i model also utilised the world's first production V12 engine to use direct injection.
In late 2008, the E65 7 Series was replaced by the
F01 7 Series.
Development and launch
Development for the BMW E65 7 Series began in early 1996. In early 1997,
Chris Bangle
Christopher Edward Bangle (born October 14, 1956) is an American automobile designer. Bangle is known best for his work as Chief of Design for BMW Group, where he was responsible for the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce motor cars.
Early life
Bangl ...
delivered a brief to BMW's Munich and
DesignworksUSA
Designworks is a global creative consultancy owned by BMW and based in Santa Monica, California, United States. Designworks has two further studios, in Munich, Germany and Shanghai, China. Established independently in 1972 by Charles Pelly, it ...
studios. After a competition between 20 designers,
Adrian van Hooydonk
Adrian van Hooydonk (born 21 June 1964 in Echt, Limburg), is a Dutch automobile designer and BMW Group's Design Director. He is based in Munich, Germany.
Biography
He studied at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, where he ...
's design was approved in the spring of 1998. Production specifications were frozen in January 1999 and took 34 months from freeze to market launch. The design was patented on 16 November 2000 and development ended in early 2001.
The E65 was introduced at the
Frankfurt Auto Show
The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the ''Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung'' (''IAA'' – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility shows. It cons ...
in September 2001, and launched in Europe in November 2001. In order to produce the E65 7 Series and other future models, the
BMW Dingolfing plant was retooled at a cost of approximately €500,000,000.
Design
Exterior styling
![BMW E65 rear 20070609](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/BMW_E65_rear_20070609.jpg)
Under the direction of Chris Bangle, BMW's Design Chief at the time, the BMW E65 7 Series saw a departure from traditional BMW exterior styling.
BMW's board of directors were keen to move the company's image into the future, and the initial styling sketches from 1998 by Adrian van Hooydonk were of a
fastback
A fastback is an automotive styling feature, defined by the rear of the car having a single slope from the roof to the tail. The kammback is a type of fastback style.
Some models, such as the Ford Mustang, have been specifically marketed as ...
body style - even more radical than the eventual production model. The controversial "flame surfacing" design
greatly contrasted the conservative lines of its
E38 predecessor. The rear end styling was nicknamed "Bangle Butt" by critics, due to the elongated rear bootlid. However, many believe that the controversial styling helped the 7 series look modern even after many years.
Dimensionally the E65 7 Series is longer, wider and taller than the E38.
The wheelbase is , an increase of over the outgoing model. Despite these increased dimensions, the E65 7 Series is only heavier than the E38.
Interior styling
![BMW745 (3)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/BMW745_%283%29.jpg)
The E65 contained many departures from automotive interior design conventions. BMW removed the traditional console mounted gear selector, replacing it with a steering-column mounted stalk
in favour of two cup holders. The
e-brake is controlled using a button on the dashboard. The seat adjustment controls were moved from their traditional place on the side of the seat base to the inside of the raised central console, which drew some criticisms.
Unlike most BMWs since 1975 (including the E65's predecessor and successor), the centre instrument panel is not angled towards the driver.
Engines
The V8 models were the first to use the then-new
BMW N62
The BMW N62 is a naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine which was used in BMW cars from 2001–2010. It also remained in small-scale production for the Morgan Aero until 2019. The N62 is the world's first engine to use a continuously variable-len ...
V8 engine, which was the world's first engine to use a
continuously variable-length intake manifold. It was also BMW's first V8 engine to use
variable valve lift
Variable valve lift (VVL) is an automotive piston engine technology which varies the height a valve opens in order to improve performance, fuel economy or emissions. There are two main types of VVL: discrete, which employs fixed valve lift amounts, ...
(
Valvetronic
The Valvetronic system is a BMW variable valve lift system which, in combination with VANOS, allows infinite adjustment of the intake valve timing and duration. The system claims to improve fuel economy and emissions, and negates the need for ...
), replacing throttle butterflies for added response, efficiency and power. A system using traditional throttle butterflies was also present as a backup in case of faults in the valvetronic system.
Petrol
Diesel
Transmissions
The E65/E66 was the first sedan to use a 6-speed automatic transmission. The specific models of transmission used for the E65 are:
* 6-speed
ZF 6HP26 automatic (730d / 735i / 740i / 745i / 750i / 760i)
* 6-speed
ZF 6HP19 automatic (730i)
* 6-speed
ZF 6HP32 automatic (740d / 745d)
The E65/E66 was one of the few BMWs to have a column shift lever, as opposed to a stick in the centre console.
iDrive
![BMW_E65_iDrive_LCI_Settings](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/BMW_E65_iDrive_LCI_Settings.jpg)
The E65 was the first BMW to use the
iDrive
iDrive is an in-car communications and entertainment system, used to control most secondary vehicle systems in late-model BMW cars. It was launched in 2001, first appearing in the E65 7 Series. The system unifies an array of functions under a ...
infotainment system. The iDrive system was built on
VxWorks
VxWorks is a real-time operating system (or RTOS) developed as proprietary software by Wind River Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aptiv. First released in 1987, VxWorks is designed for use in embedded systems requiring real-time, determi ...
while the navigation system was built on the
Windows CE
Windows Embedded Compact, formerly Windows Embedded CE, Windows Powered and Windows CE, is an operating system subfamily developed by Microsoft as part of its Windows Embedded family of products.
Unlike Windows Embedded Standard, which is base ...
for Automotive platform, and featured an interface primarily based around a central control knob. Many of the functions such as climate,
navigation
Navigation is a field of study that focuses on the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another.Bowditch, 2003:799. The field of navigation includes four general categories: land navigation, ...
, seat heating, telephony, and car settings were incorporated into a single system allowing for centralised control. Early versions of iDrive were criticised for complicated menu structures and a steep learning curve.
The first generation of the system relied on
CD media for map data. In March 2003, the maps switched to
DVD
The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kind ...
format, a faster processor was used and a 'Menu' and 'Customisable' button were added below the control knob. In 2005, dedicated buttons were added to change radio stations or skip tracks and a brighter screen was used for the 8.8" widescreen option.
Equipment
The E65 was the flagship model and the most technologically advanced car produced by BMW at the time.
The following features were first introduced on the E65:
*
Active anti-roll bar
An anti-roll bar (roll bar, anti-sway bar, sway bar, stabilizer bar) is a part of many automobile suspensions that helps reduce the body roll of a vehicle during fast cornering or over road irregularities. It connects opposite (left/right) wheel ...
s (active roll stabilisation) to reduce
body roll
Body roll is the axial rotation of a Vehicle, vehicle’s Vehicle frame, body towards the outside of a turn. Body roll occurs because the Compliant mechanism, compliance in Car suspension, vehicle suspension allows the vehicle body, which sits upo ...
when cornering. It uses a hydraulic servo in the middle of the anti-roll bar to actively counteract body roll and to reduce body roll without the traditional trade-off in ride comfort.
*
Directional headlights (adaptive headlights) which electronically adjust the low-beam lights horizontally (during turns) and vertically (based on rear axle load). Also, the E65 was the first BMW available with
bi-Xenon
A headlamp is a lamp attached to the front of a vehicle to illuminate the road ahead. Headlamps are also often called headlights, but in the most precise usage, ''headlamp'' is the term for the device itself and ''headlight'' is the term for ...
(HID) headlights.
* World's first car with an
electric parking brake. This could automatically activate in stop-and-go traffic situations and when the ignition was switched off.
* First BMW with
DVD
The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kind ...
-based
GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally Navstar GPS, is a Radionavigation-satellite service, satellite-based radionavigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force. It is one of t ...
automotive navigation system.
*
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is an available cruise control Advanced driver-assistance systems, advanced driver-assistance system for road vehicles that automatically adjusts the vehicle speed to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead. As ...
(ACC), however this was available in some markets on the previous generation
7 Series (E38).
* The optional automatic soft close system minimized the force required to close the doors and
boot
A boot is a type of footwear. Most boots mainly cover the foot and the ankle, while some also cover some part of the lower calf. Some boots extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Most boots have a heel that is cle ...
lid, and would completely close them if improperly closed.
* Two
fibre-optic
An optical fiber, or optical fibre in Commonwealth English, is a flexible, transparent fiber made by drawing glass (silica) or plastic to a diameter slightly thicker than that of a human hair. Optical fibers are used most often as a means to ...
electronic networks:
MOST Bus
MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) is a high-speed multimedia network technology optimized by the automotive industry. It can be used for applications inside or outside the car. The serial MOST bus uses a daisy-chain topology or ring topolo ...
(media-orientated system transport) and "
Byteflight Byteflight is an automotive databus created by BMW and partners Motorola, Elmos Semiconductor and Infineon to address the need for a modernized safety-critical, fault tolerant means of electronic communication between automotive components. It i ...
" (safety systems bus). These busses operate at 22.5Mbit/s and 10Mbit/s respectively. Also, the I-bus, K-bus and P-bus were replaced by the K-CAN (Body-
controller area network
A Controller Area Network (CAN bus) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other's applications without a host computer. It is a message-based protocol, designed originally for mu ...
). This increased the system speed from 9.6kbit/s to 100kbit/s.
Special models
Long-wheelbase 7 Series (E66)
The E66
long-wheelbase models, badged "Li" were introduced in June 2002. Long-wheelbase models are longer, allowing for extra rear legroom. The initial long wheelbase models were the 735Li, 745Li and 760Li. After 2003, 730Li, 730Ld, 740Li and 750Li models were added to the lineup.
High security 7 Series (E67)
The E67 high security 7 Series is an armoured variant of the BMW 7 Series. The 760Li high security was introduced at the
2003 Geneva Motor Show, with the 745Li high security model released later in September 2003.
E65 high security models are designed to withstand attacks, and meet the requirements of the
B7 weapons standard. Security features include a detachable multi-layer
laminated windscreen, a remote starting system, a fire extinguishing system, a fresh air system, and under-body protection.
High security models also feature
run flat tyres, with
Michelin's PAX system; which allows continuous driving at for approximately , with a puncture.
BMW offers a buyback service for high security models up to seven years old, which are inspected then resold to potential customers worldwide. A training course is also offered to owners and chauffeurs, and teaches car control in case of emergency situations.
Hydrogen 7 (E68)
The BMW Hydrogen 7 is a limited production hydrogen-fueled model. It uses a modified version of the 760Li's
N73 V12 engine, producing . Claimed fuel economy is and the hydrogen is stored as a liquid in an insulated tank. Only 100 cars were made, which were leased to high-profile customers, in order to promote the use of hydrogen vehicles.
Alpina B7
![White Alpina B7 (E65) rr](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/White_Alpina_B7_%28E65%29_rr.jpg)
The Alpina B7 prototype was introduced to the public at the
2003 Geneva Motor Show in March, and the production version was later unveiled at the
2003 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Production began in February 2004, and was built in the
Dingolfing
Dingolfing is a town in southern Bavaria, Germany. It is the seat of the Landkreis (district) Dingolfing-Landau. Dingolfing is home of a BMW assembly plant.
History
The area now called Dingolfing was first mentioned in ''Tinguluinga'' in the y ...
BMW plant alongside the regular E65 models.
The Alpina B7 uses a
supercharged
In an internal combustion engine, a supercharger compresses the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine in order to produce more power for a given displacement.
The current categorisation is that a supercharger is a form of forced induct ...
version of the 4.4-litre V8 found in the 745i, and was the first Alpina model to feature a supercharged engine.
Exterior changes include a rear spoiler
and 21-inch traditional Alpina multi-spoke style wheels. Interior changes include sports seats, an Alpina instrument cluster, a three spoke steering wheel with shift buttons, and a silver plated production plaque.
A total of 1114 cars were produced, including 803 cars for North America.
Yearly changes
2003
* iDrive updates including faster processor, addition of "menu" and "customisable" buttons and maps switching to DVD format.
2005 facelift
In March 2005, the
facelift
A facelift, technically known as a rhytidectomy (from the Ancient Greek () "wrinkle", and () "excision", the surgical removal of wrinkles), is a type of cosmetic surgery procedure used to give a more youthful facial appearance. There are mul ...
(also known as "LCI") models began production.
The major changes were:
* Revised styling for front and rear bodywork, headlights and tail-lights. BMW offered "conversion kits" that could be purchased by existing owners to apply these exterior changes to pre-facelift cars.
*
iDrive
iDrive is an in-car communications and entertainment system, used to control most secondary vehicle systems in late-model BMW cars. It was launched in 2001, first appearing in the E65 7 Series. The system unifies an array of functions under a ...
updates including a simplified interface, clearer graphics, and the iDrive controller now having a leather top surface.
* Petrol V8 engines increased in displacement, resulting in the 735i model being replaced by the 740i and the 745i being replaced by the 750i. 745d model power increased from 220 kW to 242 kW.
* Rear
track width
In automobiles (and other wheeled vehicles which have two wheels on an axle), the axle track is the distance between the hub flanges on an axle. Wheel track, track width or simply track refers to the distance between the centerline of two wheels ...
increased by .
*
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is an available cruise control Advanced driver-assistance systems, advanced driver-assistance system for road vehicles that automatically adjusts the vehicle speed to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead. As ...
upgraded to ACC II.
File:BMW 745i 2 -- 04-22-2010.jpg , Pre-facelift front
File:2002–2005 BMW 735i (E65) sedan (2016-08-27).jpg , Pre-facelift rear
File:BMW 730d (E65) Facelift front 20100718.jpg , Post-facelift front
File:BMW 730d (E65) Facelift rear 20100718.jpg , Post-facelift rear
Late 2005
In late 2005,
night vision
Night vision is the ability to see in low-light conditions, either naturally with scotopic vision or through a night-vision device. Night vision requires both sufficient spectral range and sufficient intensity range. Humans have poor night vi ...
(''BMW night vision'') became available. The system uses
passive infrared sensors and has a claimed range of .
Automatic highbeam headlamps (''BMW high-beam assistant'') was introduced at the same time, whereby the high beam headlights are automatically activated in dark areas and temporarily deactivated when oncoming traffic is detected.
Production
The E65 was produced at the
BMW Group Plant Dingolfing
The BMW Group Plant Dingolfing is a network of BMW plants in Dingolfing, Dingolfing-Landau, Lower Bavaria, Germany with a total area of around 280 hectares.
The plant is the largest production site of the BMW Group in Europe.
History
The orig ...
in Germany, with
complete knock-down
A knock-down kit (also knockdown kit, knocked-down kit, or simply knockdown or KD) is a collection of parts required to assemble a product. The parts are typically manufactured in one country or region, then exported to another country or region ...
(CKD) assembly for local markets conducted in Thailand (
Rayong), Russia (
Kaliningrad
Kaliningrad ( ; rus, Калининград, p=kəlʲɪnʲɪnˈɡrat, links=y), until 1946 known as Königsberg (; rus, Кёнигсберг, Kyonigsberg, ˈkʲɵnʲɪɡzbɛrk; rus, Короле́вец, Korolevets), is the largest city and ...
) and Egypt (
6th of October City
6th of October ( ar, السادس من أكتوبر, Al Sādis Min Uktōber; arz, ستة اكتوبر, Setta Oktōbar) is a city in Giza Governorate, a satellite town and part of the urban area of Cairo, Egypt, 32 km (20 miles) outside the ...
).
The following are production figures for E65 7 Series models:
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:BMW 7 Series (E65)
7 Series (E65)
Cars introduced in 2001
Cars discontinued in 2008
E65 E66