Base Seven to crack $200K

AS expected, BMW’s new-generation 7 Series range will open on the north side of $200,000 when sales commence in the second quarter of next year.

Two twin-turbo petrol-powered models – in both short-wheelbase (F01) and long-wheelbase (F02) guises – will arrive initially, followed in June by the twin-turbo diesel 730d.

The 730d is expected to be the new 7 Series price leader, but will probably also cost more than $200,000.

For now, though, the base model is the $203,000 740i, employing the first six-cylinder engine in an Australian-bound 7 Series since the demise of the E32 730i and 735i models in 1992.

This unit is a variation of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo direct-injection in-line six-cylinder petrol engine first introduced in the 335i Coupe in late 2006.

For the 740i, power and torque rise to 240kW at 5800rpm and 450Nm between 1500 and 4500rpm respectively, the European Combined Urban fuel consumption figure is just 9.9 litres per 100km and the carbon dioxide emissions rating is 232 grams per kilometre.

A further $15,000 will buy you the F02 740Li, while going for the new V8 petrol-powered 7 Series will require an extra outlay of $71,000 for the $274,000 750i and $86,000 for the $291,000 750Li.

Both 7 Series variants will boast the world’s first twin-turbo petrol V8, pumping out 300kW between 5500 and 6400rpm and 600Nm from 1750 and 4500rpm from 4.4 litres.

Its fuel and CO2 figures register at a respective 11.4L/100km and 266g/km.

BMW says all models accelerate faster but use less fuel than their comparable rivals.

To help offset the $12,558 price difference between the outgoing $190,442 E65 740i and its successor, BMW will offer more standard equipment.

The Bavarian company is also adding several new features that will be unavailable for some time on rival products.

These include Brake Energy Regeneration, Integral Active Steering (steering the rear as well as the front wheels), Night Vision technology that can recognise and warm of humans ahead in the dark, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Head-Up Display, latest-generation run-flat tyres, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go Function, Variable Light Distribution, adaptive headlight range control, System Side View (with bumper-mounted cameras for increased vision) and an integrated owners manual that works with the completely redesigned iDrive controller.

BMW states that the F01/F02 7 Series will also be the first to offer Dynamic Damper Control (which alters the dampers’ performance according to the driver’s style) as standard, as well as the three-way adjustable Dynamic Driving Control for the dampers, which also changes the reaction times for the transmission and stability and traction control units.

The company is confident that Australian Upper Luxury segment buyers will respond positively to the new model, despite the price increases.

“The new BMW 7 Series will quickly be viewed as the premium car in the segment, not just for its appealing styling or its high performance engines or its unmatched range of standard and customer selectable equipment, but because as a complete package, it is unbeatable,” stated BMW Group Australia managing director Guenther Seemann.

“We have built on the success of the previous BMW 7 Series, which was the best selling 7 Series ever. We are confident that Australian customers will find the new car perfectly suited to their tastes and requirements,” he added.

BMW 7 Series pricing:
BMW 740i (a)	$203,000
BMW 740Li (a)	$218,000
BMW 750i (a)	$274,000
BMW 750Li (a)	$291,000

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