The fifth 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 F01 (sedan version) and BMW F02 (long-wheelbase sedan version)
full-size luxury sedans. The F01/F02 generation was produced by
BMW from 2008 to 2015 and is often collectively referred to as the F01.
The F01 was the first BMW vehicle to be available with a hybrid drivetrain, an 8-speed automatic transmission and a turbocharged V12 engine. It was the second 7 Series to be available with a turbocharged petrol engine (the first being the European E23 745i), and all-wheel drive (xDrive). The wheelbase was increased by 8 cm over the outgoing 7 Series. Other model codes used for this generation were F03 for the "High Security 7 Series" armoured car and F04 for the "ActiveHybrid 7" hybrid-electric model.
In July 2015, the
BMW 7 Series (G11)
The sixth generation of the BMW 7 Series consists of the BMW G11 (normal version) and BMW G12 (long-wheelbase version) luxury saloons. The G11/G12 generation has been produced by BMW since 2015, and is often collectively referred to as the G11. ...
began production as the successor to the F01.
Development and launch
The car's exterior was designed by Lebanese automotive designer
Karim Habib. The styling retained some elements from its
E65 7 Series predecessor but was a less controversial approach. The headlamps were reminiscent to the E65 but were smaller and sleeker. The car incorporated a wider and bigger kidney grille that went deeper into the front apron for a more aggressive appearance. The F01 7 Series was larger than its predecessor adding to the overall length and to the wheelbase while gaining more weight.
The car was first revealed to the public in the Red Square in Moscow (Russia) on 8 July 2008. Other launch events included the
Paris Motor Show
The Paris Motor Show (french: Mondial de l'Automobile) is a biennial auto show in Paris. Held during October, it is one of the most important auto shows, often with many new production automobile and concept car debuts. The show presently take ...
in October and the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November.
Equipment
The F01 was available with
rear-wheel steering
Steering is a system of components, linkages, and other parts that allows a driver to control the direction of the vehicle.
Introduction
The most conventional steering arrangement allows a driver to turn the front wheels of a vehicle using ...
(Integral Active Steering),
all-wheel drive
An all-wheel drive vehicle (AWD vehicle) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand.
The most common forms of all-wheel drive are:
;1x1 : All unicycles Reflecting one axle with one w ...
(xDrive), eight speed automatic transmission, pedestrian recognition for the
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 ...
feature,
blind spot monitoring, massage function for the rear seats and the
radar cruise control system was now able to completely stop the car and accelerate from a standstill (Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go).
Side cameras were fitted in the front bumper to assist with merging and exiting narrow spaces. By combining these cameras with the front and rear cameras, the F01 can display a virtual overhead graphic of the car to assist with parking.
The instrument cluster has an
LCD backdrop (with the gauge needles and rings still present as physical objects), allowing various graphics to be shown.
A
lane departure warning system
In road-transport terminology, a lane departure warning system (LDWS) is a mechanism designed to warn the driver when the vehicle begins to move out of its lane (unless a turn signal is on in that direction) on freeways and arterial roads. These ...
- as fitted to the
E60 5 Series since 2007 - was also available for the first time in a 7 Series.
Departures from the non-traditional interior design of the E65 include the transmission shifter being relocated to the centre console (previously a stalk on the steering column) and the seat controls being relocated to the outside edge of the seat base (previously located in the centre console).
Engines
![BMW 740i interior](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/BMW_740i_interior.jpg)
Official specifications are as follows.
Petrol engines
* Top speed is electronically limited.
** The V12 engine for the F01 760i/Li was redesigned as a twin-turbocharged 6.0L (codenamed
N74) in order to maintain a performance advantage over the 750i, which utilised a turbocharged V8 engine. In some markets, the V12 engine was only available in the long-wheelbase model.
Diesel engines
* Top speed is electronically limited.
Special Models
High Security (F03)
The 750Li High Security and 760Li High Security models are the first cars to be certified with BRV 2009 and VR7 ballistics protection ratings. Security upgrades include undercarriage armour, thick multi-layer laminated glass and armour plating on the doors, roof, body pillars, front footwell and rear bulkhead. Due to the added weight of the security upgrades, suspension components such as the
shock absorbers
A shock absorber or damper is a mechanical or hydraulic device designed to absorb and damp shock impulses. It does this by converting the kinetic energy of the shock into another form of energy (typically heat) which is then dissipated. Most sh ...
and strut tops were upgraded. Options included an intercom system between the passengers and the driver, an alarm, a fire extinguisher with temperature sensor, irritant gas sensors (to warn of dangerous gasses in the passenger area), a fresh-air supply system and a compartment for two machine guns in the centre console.
The High Security models were unveiled in GPEC 2012.
ActiveHybrid 7 (F04) (2010–2015)
The ''ActiveHybrid 7'' was the first BMW vehicle to use a hybrid drivetrain. The concept was unveiled as the
Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid at the
2008 Paris Motor Show
The 2008 Paris Motor Show took place from 4 October to 19 October 2008, in Paris expo Porte de Versailles.
This edition of the Paris Motor Show featured a high number of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), that led a blogger with ''The New York Ti ...
and the 2008
Los Angeles International Auto Show
The Los Angeles Auto Show is an annual auto show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in early December. The LA Auto Show is an OICA sanctioned international exhibition. It is open to the public for ten days each year, filling of exhibit s ...
.
The production version was unveiled at the
2009 Frankfurt Auto Show,
and shown again later at the Monaco Yacht Show 2010.
The production version called the ActiveHybrid 7 uses the engine from the 750i plus an electric motor rated at and of torque. The electric motor is integrated into the transmission housing, replacing the alternator and the starter. The battery is a lithium-ion type and located under the
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 ...
floor. Other features include an auto start/stop system. and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid system was based on the
2-mode hybrid from
Daimler AG
The Mercedes-Benz Group AG (previously named Daimler-Benz, DaimlerChrysler and Daimler) is a German multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is one of the world's leading car manufacture ...
. The
regenerative braking
Regenerative braking is an energy recovery mechanism that slows down a moving vehicle or object by converting its kinetic energy into a form that can be either used immediately or stored until needed. In this mechanism, the electric traction mo ...
unit includes 12 V Absorbent Glass Mat batteries, running in parallel to a 120 V electrical network for electric motor. BMW claims it improved fuel consumption and reduced emissions by 15% over the non-hybrid model.
The wheelbase of the ActiveHybrid 7 is extended by and the car weighs more than a regular 750i.
The car's exterior profile was designed by Karim Habib, Team Leader, Advanced Design for BMW in
Munich
Munich ( ; german: München ; bar, Minga ) is the capital and most populous city of the States of Germany, German state of Bavaria. With a population of 1,558,395 inhabitants as of 31 July 2020, it is the List of cities in Germany by popu ...
, Germany.
The fuel economy benefits of the ActiveHybrid 7 were questioned by reviewers, since the EPA consumption ratings of city and are not significantly better than the significantly cheaper 740i model's ratings of city and highway. The contemporary 740i was powered by a conventional petrol engine (the turbocharged
N54 six-cylinder
The straight-six engine (also referred to as an inline-six engine; abbreviated I6 or L6) is a piston engine with six cylinders arranged in a straight line along the crankshaft. A straight-six engine has perfect primary and secondary engine balan ...
). The 740i has less weight than the 750i over the front axle.
In late 2012, the ActiveHybrid 7's powertrain was significantly changed, switching from the 750i's turbocharged 4.4 litre V8 engine to the turbocharged 3.0 litre
six-cylinder
The straight-six engine (also referred to as an inline-six engine; abbreviated I6 or L6) is a piston engine with six cylinders arranged in a straight line along the crankshaft. A straight-six engine has perfect primary and secondary engine balan ...
engine from the 740i. The electric motor was upgraded to . The 2012–2015 ActiveHybrid 7 was only available as a long-wheelbase model. Fuel economy was significantly improved for the updated drivetrain, which was rated at city and highway.
Alpina B7
![BMW Alpina B7 BiTurbo Limousine Long](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/BMW_Alpina_B7_BiTurbo_Limousine_Long.jpg)
The
Alpina
Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG is an automobile manufacturing company based in Buchloe, in the Ostallgäu district of Bavaria, Germany that develops and sells high-performance versions of BMW cars.
Alpina works closely with BMW and ...
B7 is based on the 750i and began production for the 2011 model year. The vehicle was unveiled in 2010 Chicago Auto Show, and went on sale in Spring of 2010. Production version went on sale as 2011 model year vehicle. The Alpina B7's engine is assembled by hand at Alpina's facility in
Buchloe
Buchloe (; Swabian: ''Buechla'') is a community raised to town status in 1954, lying in Ostallgäu district in Bavaria. Together with the neighbouring communities of Jengen, Lamerdingen and Waal, Buchloe belongs to the ''Verwaltungsgemeinschaft' ...
, Germany, before being shipped to BMW for installation,
and the assembled vehicle is then sent back to Alpina for finishing touches.
In the 2010–2012 B7, Alpina's variant of the
N63 twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine rated at and , with the same fuel economy figures as the regular 750i. Compared with the regular N63 engine, the Alpina variant includes high-performance pistons, strengthened cylinder heads, an additional radiator and external coolers for the engine oil and transmission oil. Larger and lighter turbochargers are fitted and boost pressure is increased from to .
The F01/F02 B7 marks the first time that
BMW M
BMW M GmbH, formerly known as BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a subsidiary of BMW, BMW AG that manufactures high-performance cars.
BMW M ("M" for "motorsport") was initially created to facilitate BMW's racing program, which was very successful in the ...
and Alpina used the same type of
forced-induction for their engines; Alpina's engine has less horsepower but more torque than the
S63 variant used in the
F10 M5.
The transmission is a
ZF 6HP26 6-speed automatic with heavy-duty gears, and the B7 includes a strengthened
drive shaft
A drive shaft, driveshaft, driving shaft, tailshaft (Australian English), propeller shaft (prop shaft), or Cardan shaft (after Girolamo Cardano) is a component for transmitting mechanical power (physics), power and torque and rotation, usually ...
, differential and
rear axles. The B7 also features a choice of regular or long-wheelbase and/or rear-wheel drive or xDrive.
![B7Limousine](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/B7Limousine.JPG)
In late 2012, the B7 received a mid-life update in line with other models of the 7 Series. The updated B7 was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August 2012 and went on-sale immediately thereafter.
Power output increased to , and top speed increased to ( on xDrive models).
In North America, the BMW Alpina B7 is officially sold by BMW and have BMW VINs, whereas the Alpina B7 BiTurbo sold in Europe and Japan are sold as vehicles manufactured by Alpina.
Prince Albert II limousine
In 2011, a limited production (200 units) version of BMW 7 Series limousines were supplied by BMW for the
wedding of Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and Charlene Wittstock
The wedding of Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and Charlene Wittstock took place on 1 and 2 July 2011 at the Prince's Palace of Monaco. The groom was the sovereign prince of the Principality of Monaco. The bride was a South African Olympic swimmer. ...
. The car was based on the 740Li.
Transmissions
The F01 was produced with the following transmissions:
* 6-speed
automatic ZF 6HP19
* 6-speed automatic
ZF 6HP26
* 8-speed automatic
ZF 8HP70
* 8-speed automatic
ZF 8HP90
All models from 2009 through 2012 were equipped with the 6-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic function, except for the 760i/Li which had the 8-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic. For the 2013-15 model years, all the other models received the 8-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic.
Model year changes
Most changes occur in September each year, when the changes for the following
model year
The model year (sometimes abbreviated "MY") is a method of describing the version of a product which has been produced over multiple years. The model year may or may not be the same as the calendar year in which the product was manufactured.
...
go into production, as is typical BMW practice. Therefore, the changes for 2009 represent the 2010 model year, for example:
2008
* Launch model range consists of petrol models 740i, 750i and 750Li, and the diesel 730d.
2009
*
All-wheel drive
An all-wheel drive vehicle (AWD vehicle) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand.
The most common forms of all-wheel drive are:
;1x1 : All unicycles Reflecting one axle with one w ...
becomes available for a 7 Series for the first time, in the form of the 750i xDrive and 750Li models.
* The V12-engined 760i/Li flagship models are added to the range.
* 740d model introduced in autumn.
* ''M Sport Package'' introduced.
* Sales begin in the United States, initially with the 750i and 750Li models.
* Long-wheelbase 730Li model goes on sale, for Asian markets only.
2010
* ''ActiveHybrid 7'' and ''ActiveHybrid 7L'' models introduced. These initial hybrid models use a turbocharged 4.4 litre V8 engine with a electric motor.
* 740d xDrive model introduced in September 2010.
* Optional comfort seats in the rear compartment are now also available in a three-seat version.
* Alpina B7 (rear-wheel drive) and B7X (all-wheel drive) models introduced.
* 740i and 740Li models become available in the United States, the first six-cylinder 7-Series to be sold in the United States since 1992.
2013 facelift
The F01
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 in July 2012 and were sold as the 2013
model year
The model year (sometimes abbreviated "MY") is a method of describing the version of a product which has been produced over multiple years. The model year may or may not be the same as the calendar year in which the product was manufactured.
...
cars. The facelift models were unveiled at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and shown at the 2012 Monaco Yacht Show.
Changes include:
* 8-speed automatic transmission becomes standard equipment.
* ''ActiveHybrid 7'' model switches from N63 V8 engine to N55 six-cylinder engine, and a more powerful electric motor was used.
* 750i/Li and Alpina B7 engine upgraded from N63 to
N63TU (N63B44O1), which added
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").
* 740i/Li engine upgraded from N54 to
N55, which added
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") and switched to a single twin-scroll turbocharger.
* 740i/Li became available with
all-wheel drive
An all-wheel drive vehicle (AWD vehicle) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand.
The most common forms of all-wheel drive are:
;1x1 : All unicycles Reflecting one axle with one w ...
(xDrive).
* 750d/Ld model introduced, powered by the triple-turbo
N57S six-cylinder diesel engine.
* 730d and 740d/Ld engines upgraded from N57 to
N57TU (N57D30O1), increasing output by up to and .
* 730i model discontinued.
* Full-
LED headlamp
A headlamp is a lamp (electrical component), 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 (language), usage, ''headlamp'' is the term for the ...
s.
* Revised kidney grille and front spoiler.
* Upgrade of the
LCD dashboard's graphics ("Full Black Panel Display") and the gauge needles are now shown electronically, replacing the traditional physical needles. The information available to be displayed on the dashboard was increased.
*
Self-levelling air suspension
Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension powered by an electric or engine-driven air pump or compressor. This compressor pumps the air into a flexible bellows, usually made from textile-reinforced rubber. Unlike hydropneumatic suspension, ...
at the rear became standard.
*
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 ...
upgraded to include an automatic spotlight which targets pedestrians, to warn the driver about their presence ("Dynamic Light Spot").
*
Automatic parking
Automatic parking is an autonomous car-maneuvering system that moves a vehicle from a traffic lane into a parking spot to perform parallel, perpendicular, or angle parking. The automatic parking system aims to enhance the comfort and safety of d ...
, where the car steers itself to parallel park ("BMW Parking Assistant").
*
Driver drowsiness detection ("Attention Assistant") added.
*
Collision avoidance system
A collision avoidance system (CAS), also known as a pre-crash system, forward collision warning system, or collision mitigation system, is an advanced driver-assistance system designed to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision. In its ...
("Active Protection") including collision detection, automatic pre-crash braking and automatic post-crash braking.
*
Cruise control
Cruise control (also known as speed control, cruise command, autocruise, or tempomat) is a system that automatically controls the speed of a motor vehicle. The system is a servomechanism that takes over the throttle of the car to maintain a ste ...
mode added for traffic jams ("Enhanced Active Cruise Control").
2013
* 760i/760Li models become compliant with the
Euro 6
The European emission standards are vehicle emission standards for pollution from the use of new land surface vehicles sold in the European Union and EEA member states and the UK, and ships in EU waters. The standards are defined in a seri ...
emissions standard.
* For the USA only, fifteen "V-12 25th Anniversary Edition" cars were produced, to commemorating the 25th anniversary of BMW's
V12 engine
A V12 engine is a twelve-cylinder piston engine where two banks of six cylinders are arranged in a V configuration around a common crankshaft. V12 engines are more common than V10 engines. However, they are less common than V8 engines.
The fi ...
s. The cars are based on the 760Li and include various exterior styling and interior options. The RRP for the model was $159,695.
Pre-facelift styling
File:2010 BMW 750i -- 03-14-2010.jpg, Front (750i)
File:2010 BMW 730d (F01 MY10) sedan (2015-12-07) 02.jpg, Rear (730d)
Post-facelift styling
File:BMW 730d xDrive (F01) – Frontansicht, 31. Dezember 2012, Düsseldorf.jpg, Front (730d xDrive)
File:BMW 740i (F01) rear.JPG, Rear (740i)
Production
The 740i and 740Li made up 10% of overall 7 Series sales in the United States, while the 760Li had 2%. In the United States, 70% of the 7 Series cars sold are the "L" long-wheelbase models.
Marketing
For the tenth anniversary of the
Tate Modern
Tate Modern is an art gallery located in London. It houses the United Kingdom's national collection of international modern and contemporary art, and forms part of the Tate group together with Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives. It is ...
, BMW provided Spanish artist Martí Anson with a 7 Series in which to chauffeur artists to the gallery, with the car parked in the gallery's Turbine Hall during the exhibition.
BMW Group Russia provided vehicles for opening night premieres for various plays at the
Bolshoi Theatre
The Bolshoi Theatre ( rus, Большо́й теа́тр, r=Bol'shoy teatr, literally "Big Theater", p=bɐlʲˈʂoj tʲɪˈatər) is a historic theatre in Moscow, Russia, originally designed by architect Joseph Bové, which holds ballet and ope ...
from 2004. In 2011, twenty vehicles (consisting of F01 7 Series and the
F07 5 Series GT) were provided for the re-opening of the theatre's historical stage.
References
Notes
Bibliography
*
{{commons category, BMW F01
F01
7 Series (F01)
2010s cars
Cars introduced in 2008
Limousines