BMW 7 Series pricing revealed

BMW Australia has announced that its fleet-topping 7 Series sedans will kick off at $217,500 plus ORCs for the 730d, representing a price jump of $11,300 over the outgoing model.

All other models, including the 740i, 750i and their respective long-wheelbase derivatives have also copped a price hike, thanks to new tech and additional spec.

“The new pricing schedule for the BMW 7 Series is a product of the significant increases in innovation, technology and specification levels inherent in the new vehicle,” BMW Australia’s general manager of corporate communications Lenore Fletcher told GoAuto.

“The vehicles being brought to Australia are of the highest standard specification in the world, with innovations such as the gesture control and display key standard to all Australian variants.”

The local line-up will be led out by the diesel-powered 195kW/620Nm 730d, while the petrol-engined 240kW/450Nm 740i in regular and long-wheelbase versions will make up the first three models to hit Australia.

The 330kW/650Nm 4.4-litre turbocharged V8-powered 750i and 750Li flagships will follow them in early 2016. Ms Fletcher said that the 760Li sedan is “not currently available” to the Australian market.

The 7 Series is built around BMW’s Carbon Core – first seen in the i8 hybrid sportscar – that comprises a mixture of steel, aluminium and carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the platform and chassis, netting a weight reduction of up to 130kg over the old model, according to BMW.

The tech-heavy luxury sedan features a number of segment firsts, including a Touch Command system which allows users to control in-car entertainment and comfort features via a 7.0-inch cordless tablet that works inside or outside the car, as well as being able to be used at home as a regular tablet.

The 7 Series also has as standard the aforementioned Touch Command tablet controls housed in the rear seat, allowing control of air-conditioning, seats, sunblinds, ambient lighting, heated and cooled seats, and infotainment from the rear of the car.

The Display Key and Gesture Control are also offered as standard. Gesture Control operates via a camera in the roof that allows users to swipe, point, pinch and use other hand gestures in mid-air to control volume, camera angles, and to accept or reject incoming phone calls, among other things. BMW says the Gesture Control complements the existing iDrive Touch Controller.

Harman/Kardon surround-sound stereo systems, Nappa leather interiors, Driving Assistant Plus, Active Park Distance Control, Rear View Camera and Parking Assistant are also standard features on the new 7 Series.

BMW’s M Sport package is also being offered as a no-cost option, incorporating an M aero package, M leather steering wheel, 20-inch double-spoke bi-colour wheels and an Anthracite-coloured roof lining.

The V8-powered BMW 750i and 750Li also score an M Sports Exhaust. This was previously a $10,000 option package on the outgoing model.

As an entry point to the range, the 730d 195kW/620Nm diesel can sprint to 100km/h from rest in 6.1 seconds, while its fuel consumption is rated at 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres.

A twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine that makes 240kW and 450Nm propels the 740i to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds, or 5.6 seconds in the case of the long-wheelbase model. Fuel economy is rated at 7.0L/100km in both variants.

The 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol motor powering the 750i and 750iL, meanwhile, makes 330kW and 650Nm, and pushes the luxury sedan to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds, returning a fuel economy reading of 8.1L/100km for the 750i, and 8.3L/100km for the 750Li.

Air suspension, adaptive LED headlights, an eight-speed automatic transmission and electric steering are standard across the range.

BMW’s ConnectedDrive services are also standard, and include intelligent emergency call, teleservices, remote services, real time traffic information, concierge services and internet connectivity via an onboard SIM card.

Front seat ventilation, front and rear active park distance control, remote tailgate operation, digital radio dab+, driving assistant plus incorporating lane change and lane departure warning, steering and lane control assistant, forward collision warning and pedestrian warning with light city braking function, crossing-traffic warning (front and rear), rear collision prevention and active cruise control with stop and go function) and a heads-up display are also standard fitment.

BMW’s parking assistant is standard, along with a rear view camera, sunblinds, rear and rear side electric surround view with 360 degree function and panorama view, voice control and a glass sunroof (730d, 740i) or panorama glass sunroof (740Li).

The 750i adds 20” alloy wheels to replace the 740i’s 19-inch rims, BMW’s Display Key, ‘LaserLights’ that incorporate automatic high beam control, and Executive Drive Pro, which sets the vehicle’s adapative dampers automatically according to the driving conditions.

The 750Li, meanwhile, also gets front and rear seat ventilation, rear electrically operated seats, heated seats for front and rear, heated armrests for front and centre console, front and rear passenger doors and steering wheel heating, a massage function for front and rear passengers and rear seat entertainment.

“On a like-for-like basis, the new BMW 7 Series represents a significant increase in value for the purchaser,” said Ms Fletcher. “For example, the BMW M Sport Package, previously a $10,000 option, is available now as a no-cost option. In any case, the current BMW 7 Series configuration represents an increase of up to $20,000 in terms of specifications alone, before we even take into account the new technology.”2015 BMW 7 Series pricing*

730d (a)	$217,500
740i (a)	$224,200
740Li (a)	$238,000
750i (a)	$289,600
750Li (a)	$312,700

*Excludes on-road costs