BMW SIMPLE

PRESS RELEASE:

SIMPLE and CLEVER head for the Museum.

* 09.10.2009

Munich. In the course of its history, BMW has repeatedly provided impulses for the further development of personal mobility through innovative vehicle and drive concepts. Last year's special exhibition 'Concept Vehicles' at the BMW Museum presented a selection of these unusual concepts. Now two more vehicles from the recent past are about to be added to the exhibition. Known as SIMPLE and CLEVER, this brace of concepts goes on show at the Museum on 9th October, bearing eloquent witness to BMW's innovative strength.

SIMPLE – light in weight, low on energy

Simple combines features and advantages from both automobiles and motorcycles. The concept owes its passenger cell to the car, providing protection from wind and weather as well as shielding the driver from exterior noise and offering occupants a high degree of safety in the event of an accident. The motorcycle inspired the slim design of the Simple (at just 110 centimetres wide) and its configuration for two people sitting one behind the other. Plus it boasts the dynamic driving style typical of a two-wheeler, allowing you to lean right into corners as desired. The designation "simple" is an acronym of the project name "A sustainable and innovative mobility product for low energy consumption".

The BMW designers initially planned a small vehicle with low weight and minimal aerodynamic drag properties. Following a concept phase of several months, the pooled requirements and ideas gave rise in 2005 to a vehicle based on tilting technology. In contrast to other vehicle concepts in which only the passenger cell tilts during cornering, here all the driver has to do is determine a change in direction for the appropriate tilt to follow automatically. The stand-out feature of the Simple concept is that it activates the hydraulics only in exceptional situations, for example if the vehicle threatens to become unstable during extremely slow driving, when righting the vehicle during standstill or in extreme situations such as drifting. Otherwise, Simple rides like a motorcycle and, beyond natural gravity and gyroscopic forces, requires no energy whatsoever to lean into a corner. The passenger also benefits from this tilting technology as he feels no transverse forces and, particularly during rapid changes of direction, need not compensate for any lateral movements.

All that is needed to power this lightweight vehicle with a kerb weight of approx. 450 kg is a 36 kW combustion engine. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is estimated at under ten seconds and the vehicle has an excellent drag coefficient of 0.18. Using the electric motor and the combustion engine, the Simple would need just 6 kWh (equivalent to 0.7 litres of petrol) or two litres over 100 km.

CLEVER – cooperative driving pleasure

CLEVER is the acronym for "Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Urban Transport" and refers to a research project aimed at producing a low-emission, practical city vehicle. The CLEVER project was launched in 2002 as an initiative of Berlin's Technical University, sponsored by the 5th Framework Programme of the EU Commission. Further research partners were the University of Bath, England, the Institut Français du Pétrole and the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna. Involvement on the industry side came from Cooper-Avon Tyres Ltd., the ARC Light Metal Competence Centre Ranshofen GmbH, TAKATA-PETRI AG and WEH GmbH. The BMW Group took over the technological management and the construction of the chassis, interior and exterior. The design and the prototypes likewise came under the aegis of the BMW Group.

Being CLEVER means sitting one behind the other in a three-wheeled vehicle driven by a low-emission natural gas engine. And that adds up to low aerodynamic drag, minimal weight and a small road footprint: the research vehicle is around 3 metres long, 1 metre wide and 1.4 metres tall, weighs in at under 400 kilograms and offers no more than a square metre of frontal area to the airstream. But being CLEVER also means enjoying the riding fun of a motorcycle coupled with the safety of a passenger car. To this end, the driver and passenger sit in a crash-optimised aluminium space frame with computer-controlled tilting during cornering, offering occupants a typical two-wheeler ride experience.

Focusing on the essentials of motorised travel in city traffic thus paved the way for new technologies and innovative solutions. The tilting technology, in particular, was then a novelty in this form: the single-cylinder engine along with the seamless CVT transmission are mounted in a subframe to which both rear wheels – controlled by swing arms – are attached. The connection to the front main frame is by a central pin with two hydraulic actuators. Depending on the driving situation, these ensure that the driver and passenger lean into corners by up to 45 degrees. It makes for driving that is free of transverse forces and, for the first time, is entirely computer-controlled.

The research engineers came up with a similarly unusual solution for the front steering, which is controlled by an H-shaped swing arm. To save space and weight on the one hand, while on the other creating a secure connection to absorb energy in a frontal collision, they developed a new kind of wheel hub steering. The pivot pin around which the wheel turns during steering is located inside the wheel hub, allowing the front axle to be attached to the swing arm flanges on both sides. When the driver turns the steering wheel – which, incidentally, comes from the BMW Z4 – a steering transmission with lever arm control transmits the steering commands. This not only prompts the wheel to turn but, depending on speed, also tilts the entire passenger cell into the corner.

A paramount aim of the CLEVER was to use a drive system with minimal emissions. The stipulation of low CO2 emissions in the region of 60 grams per 100 kilometres was thus part of the brief from the start. The researchers opted for a fully developed single-cylinder engine with 230 cc displacement and output of 12.5 kW, powered by natural gas from two compressed-gas cylinders. The research vehicle accelerates from standstill to 60 km/h in around 7 seconds, going on to a top speed of approx. 100 km/h. The two gas cylinders each contain 1.7 kilograms of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) to provide a range of about 200 kilometres. That means it costs two people 1 euro to travel around 100 kilometres. The cylinders are also designed to be easily refilled at gas filling stations as well as at home.

On a par with eco-friendliness and energy efficiency, a high level of passive safety was among the principal requirements in the brief. As in a Formula One racing car, the main frame – weighing just over 60 kg – constitutes the survival cell, while the front wheel and steering ensure a deformation path of some 35 centimetres to absorb sufficient energy in an impact. Thanks to special seat belts and a specially developed driver airbag, the research vehicle complied with the Euro NCAP crash test requirements for small cars at the time: even in a frontal collision at 56 km/h, the three-wheeled prototype offered a secure survival cell.

Video: autoblog

BMW's new M3 sedan is nearly racetrack ready

With no option package, the M3 starts at $54,850. Prefer a coupe? That's $57,850 for starters and a convertible hardtop starts at $66,500.
No one can say the M3 isn't a stellar performer, something a racer could aspire to, but no one can claim these aren't pricey gas-sucking sports sedans, coupes and convertibles.
For instance, this 2009 M3 included a silver paint job, which looks like an Acura or Mercedes or Lexus or Cadillac paint job, meaning very nice. But it costs $550 extra here. An iPod and USB adapter is $400, while more and more cars are coming with these standard. Heated front seats? Another $500, just like the brushed metal trim.
All told, this car added up to $62,175, a price most of my friends and co-workers fell well short of guessing.
This one boasts a monster V-8, a 4.0-liter beast that churns 414 horsepower in a 180-inch long car that weighs 3,726 pounds.
That makes the M3 a rocket sled on 18-inch wheels. It blasts away from stoplights and the rear wheels push it to highway speeds, and beyond, in half an entry ramp.
Handling is precise as you can put the car through a fast corner and clip an apex with no body roll, something I've been able to test up at Road America on occasion. Take out the extra seats and this car is a racer.
Steering feel is a bit heavy, but you can slip through the six-speed manual gearbox in short order and much of the acceleration you get can be had in the first three gears. The rest are for cruising and maybe helping gas mileage a tad.
I managed just 18.2 mpg, while the EPA rates it at 14 mpg city and 20 highway. That seems doable. You'll need premium unleaded.
Ride is firm, but not as punishing as some past BMW rides. The independent suspension front and rear puts you firmly in contact with the road, but it takes larger bumps and irregularities quite well, not shaking the occupants too much. You will feel the cement streets' expansion joints, though.
Braking from giant four-wheel disc brakes is stellar.
Inside, the M3 feels more like racer than cruiser. This one fancied itself up with the brushed aluminum trim but otherwise is the usual BMW black leather. Its seats are firm and supportive all around. You won't do any leaning or sliding in these seats, no matter how fast you go through a turn. The side bolsters are massive.
Head and legroom are fine and moderate sized adults will fit in the back seat, if you take a trip. There's only 12.0 cubic feet of trunk space though, so it best be an overnight jaunt.
There are all the other options you'd expect, from power seats with power lumbar support to dual climate control, although no German car's system is easy to work and adjust. Everything works well, but the iDrive system of adjusting the radio and many other systems, remains more complex than need be.
The dash gauges are simple and there are various controls on the steering wheel hub, a push-button start and a key fob you can either insert in the dash or leave in your pocket as you start the car.
Part of the price of the test car was a tech package for $3,250. That includes the M Drive system that allows the driver to set a variety of features to their driving style, including suspension damping. The package also includes a fancy high-def radio and the navigation system.
A few shortcomings, the sun visors do not slide and there's no sunroof here, something I'd expect in a $50,000 car.
Outside, the M3 looks muscular and who wouldn't like the big power bulge in the hood.
If you've got the cash, this one is a load of fun.

BMW adds shifts at S.C. plant

German automaker BMW is adding two production shifts at its assembly plant in Spartanburg, S.C., where the X5 luxury SUV and X6 sporty
The automaker’s U.S. sales were up 3.6% in September, far outpacing the industry’s decline of 23%.“The additional shifts and temporary workers have been added as a direct result of an increase in year-end market demand for our products,” according to Bobby Hitt, Department Manager for Public Affairs at BMW Manufacturing.
The new hires will be made through BMW’s contract agencies, MAU Inc. and Tier One Solutions. BMW will add one additional shift immediately and another is scheduled for early November.

BMW’s screaming S54B32 inline-6 laid to rest

The last application of the venerable S54B22 in a BMW car was the BMW Z4 M, which featured the motor in a slightly detuned form as compared to the one that made its debut in the E46 BMW M3. The M3’s S54B32 made 343hp at a screeching 7,900rpm and 365Nm of torque at 4,900rpm while in the Z4 M, this was reduced to 315hp at 7,900rpm and 340Nm at 4,900rpm.

When you look at the S54B32 engine code, it tells you that the engine is a Sport engine from the 54 engine family (S54), is fuelled by Benzine (B), and is 3.2 liters in displacement (32). It uses a cast iron block (to withstand the high pressures), graphite-coated cast aluminium pistons, high 11.5:1 compression, double VANOS, electric throttle operation and one throttle per cylinder.

It won the International Engine of the Year award for the year 2001, together with the Best New Engine award. The engine also took the 3.0 liter to 4.0 liter engine honour from 2001 to 2006.

The S54 will not be used in any BMW application anymore, and in its place is the new N54 twin-turbocharged engine, which makes 326hp in its latest application, the F01 BMW 740i. The two turbochargers are run in parallel, unlike BMW’s twin-turbodiesel which has a sequential arrangement with two turbochargers of different size.

The N54’s peak horsepower output is lower than the S54’s highest rated horsepower but the N54 offers so much more torque - between 400Nm to 450Nm depending on whether it’s in a 1/3-Series or the new F01 7-Series. The torque is also accessible across a much wider range, making it a much more practical engine for daily driving. Thus the “successor” in terms of engine at least to the Z4 M is the new Z4 sDrive35i, but we all know there’s going to be something more exciting when the new Z4 M comes out.

For Sale: BMW Z4 with 551HP M5 V10 Engine

Germans love power and speed. While most of us would have been more than content with a stock BMW Z4 M, the owner of this Z4 that's for sale on a German online vehicle marketplace found that an inline-six with 343 HP couldn't satisfy his lust for speed. So what more reasonable than to throw in a BMW M5 / M6 sourced 5.0-liter V10 engine. But even the M5 V10's 507 HP weren't enough for our German protagonist who decided to replace the Z4's inline-six with an even more powerful, Hartge-prepped version of the V10 delivering a hefty 551 HP. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

Aside from a set of Hartge 20-inch alloy wheels, the Z4 V10 is all stock on the outside. The asking price for the V10-powered German roadster is a not-so-easy-to-swallow, 97,900 Euros which comes to about $137,700 US with the current exchange rates.

Source: Mobile , Via: Autogespot

G-Power BMW M5 Hurricane RS: Fastest Production Sedan in the World

The new G-Power prepped BMW M5 Hurricane RS has obtained the bragging rights for the fastest street-legal sedan in the world after it broke the long-standing record of the BRABUS Mercedes-Benz CLS Rocket. In November 2008 the 750 HP strong G-Power M5 Hurricane RS achieved a new top speed of 228,4 mph (367,4 km/h) at the ATP High-Speed test track in Papenburg, Germany. Compared to the 'standard' 730HP M5 Hurricane which has been clocked at 223.8 mph (360 km/h) earlier in 2008, the RS features ASA two modified superchargers with enlarged capacity.

And this will not be the last time that we are hearing about the M5 Hurricane as the folks over at G-Power believe that the Bi-Kompressor system has not yet reached its limits. According to Christian Stöber, the firm's CEO, the V10 engine can handle even more boost.

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: G-Power

DStyle aerokit for the BMW Z4 Coupe and Roadster

With BMW’s new 2010 Z4 just around the corner, this latest kit for the current-generation E85 Coupe and Roadster from Germany’s DStyle may be one of the last of its kind for this particular model. The kit is the new Z4CS (Coupe version) and Z4RS (Roadster version) and it contains a total of ten new accessories for the car.

The package includes a new hood, revised doors and tailgate, pumped fenders (with 50mm extra girth up front and 70mm at the rear), plus a new set of lightweight forged 19in alloy wheels and sports tires. The design also features a pair of custom side mirrors, new side skirts and a sports exhaust system.

DStyle is currently run by German-native Dominik Schwager and has been active in motorsports for the past 20 years. Pricing for the tuner’s latest Z4 kit starts at €8,900.

2009 BMW 7 Series adds diesel

BMW today announced it would add a third model to the 2009 7 Series line-up, the diesel powered 730d, which will go on sale mid-way through the year.

The 730d will use BMW’s new turbocharged, straight six-cylinder engine, which produces 180kW of power and 540Nm of torque.

The new BMW 730d will accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 7.2 seconds and has a top speed of 245km/h.

Despite the impressive acceleration, the BMW 730d returns the lowest fuel consumption yet in a BMW luxury class vehicle of this type, using just 7.2 litres of diesel for each 100km.

Unfortunately that figure means that it misses out by just 0.2L/100km on a $5400 price saving under the Australian Government’s new Luxury Car Tax regime, which rewards cars that return a fuel consumption of less than 7.0L/100km.


We have to agree with BMW that this level of consumption would be considered impressive even in a small vehicle, let alone a five-metre long luxury car.

In addition the BMW 730d complies with the most stringent Euro5 European emissions legislation thus far proposed.

While pricing will be announced closer to the release of the 730d in June/July next year CarAdvice expects the frugal limo could be a price leader for the 7 Series with a tag f around $200,000.

The 730d will join a range of new 7 Series BMWs, the first the get a new model designation as BMW has exhausted its ‘E’ nomenclature and future models will move to ‘F’ with the 7 Series become the F01.


Tom Noble, General Manager, Marketing at BMW Group Australia. Said;” The new generation 7 Series embodies all our latest innovation, and even with its petrol engines reduces as far as possible fuel use. But the 730d takes fuel economy into a new league, with almost 30 percent less fuel required to cover 100 km compared with the 740i.”

At the beginning of 2009 BMW will launch four petrol models, two with 3.0-litre Twin Turbo, straight-six cylinder engines, the 240kW 740i, and long-wheelbase 740Li, and two models powered by the all new Twin Turbo 300kW V8 engine, in the 750i and long-wheelbase 750Li.

These will be the first time BMW has offered a six-cylinder 7 Series in Australia since the demise of the E32 730i and 735i in 1992. The new, advanced high precision direct injection six combines frugal consumption and exhilarating performance in an engine that will charm and excite its drivers.

BMW claims the 740i and 740Li are the fastest accelerating, most frugal and most powerful cars in their class.

The new Twin Turbo V8 is the first such engine ever from BMW and features a host of innovations, such as direct petrol injection and the installation of the turbochargers in the V- section of the engine between the two rows of cylinders.

Performance from the 4.4-litre 750i and 750Li closely shadows that of the previous generation V12 6.0-litre engine of the flagship 760Li.


The F01 model 7 Series will offer unique features include Brake Energy Regeneration, Integral Active Steering, which can steer the rear wheels as well as the front, enhanced Night Vision with its new human recognition and warning system, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Head-Up Display, Runflat Safety Tyres, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go Function,Variable Light Distribution and adaptive headlight range control.

Increased safety and manoeuvrability also comes courtesy of System Side View with its front bumper mounted cameras. There’s even an on board integrated owners manual, specific to each individual vehicle, that explains all of the features via the new iDrive system display, with its large high-resolution full colour screen and the new iDrive Controller.


“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,” said Guenther Seemann, Managing Director of BMW Group Australia.

BMW 7 Series pricing
BMW 740i $203,000
BMW 740Li $218,000
BMW 750i $274,000
BMW 750Li $291,000

2010 BMW Z4: Bangle Butt Or Not?

After seeing our first glimpse of the 2010 BMW Z4 yesterday, the main thing we were left wondering was what it looks like from behind. Now, thanks to a leaked brochure image spotted by the guys at BMWblog, we know. Sure, the proportions of the image are a bit skewed, but we get the general idea. Now we’re just trying to decide on if this new design is still a “Bangle butt.”

[Source: BMWblog]

BMW twin-turbo diesel power starts under $50,000

The first breed of BMW's advanced diesel vehicles with Blue Performance are going on sale in the near future- with pricing starting under $50,000.

Running clean and green on ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), the automaker's proven twin-turbodiesel inline six cylinder engine will make its way under the hood of the newly updated 3-Series sedan and X5 'Sports Activity Vehicle'.

The resulting models are called the 335d and X5 xDrive35d, respectively. Both are motivated by the same three-liter engine that generates 265 horsepower and a whopping 425 lb.-ft of torque.

A Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust management system and diesel particulate filter are also included, allowing the models to meet the strictest emissions requirements.

Performance is comparable to the gas-powered variant of either model, though fuel consumption is reduced by an average of 25 to 30 percent. A twin-turbo setup virtually eliminates turbo-lag, and a six-speed automatic with manual mode is standard on each machine.

"In recent years, BMW has worked more thoroughly and consistently than any other manufacturer worldwide to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions", said Lindsay Duffield, President and CEO of BMW Group Canada.

"The performance and fuel economy offered by new BMW Advanced Diesels with BluePerformance is a further example of the ongoing application of BMW's EfficientDynamics strategy and we are delighted that it will shortly be available to the Canadian consumer."

The 335d opens the bidding at $49,700, while the X5 xDrive35d starts at $62,200.

Expect the models to be in showrooms sometime next month.

Photos: BMW

Olympic champion Usain Bolt test drives the BMW M3

Usain Bolt, the 22 years old Jamaican who blew the 100 metres world record (running the distance in 9,69 seconds) at this summer’s Beijing Olympic Games, had the chance to do a special test drive of the 420 hp BMW M3, at the BMW Vehicle Test Facility in Aschheim near Munich. He described the experience as being “fascinating” and we believe him, especially with him getting almost three hours of BMW Driver Training and than doing some laps under the professional guidance of a BMW driving instructor.

Bolt also said that he’s been in love with BMW’s ever since he was a kid, his uncle owning a BMW and taking little Usain for a ride every now and then. And his experience in Munich is not just a marketing move, a black M3 being order for the athlete by his sponsor, Puma, M3 which is scheduled to arrive in Kingston, Jamaica and to be handed over to Usain before Christmas.

Source: BMW.

Hit-and-run cases: Why blame the beemer?

“No BMW, go for any other beast but not the BMW”, this is what my friend’s dad pressed when we decided to go for the vehicle. The whole family was against the idea as the beemer has been getting some extremely bad press for quite sometime. Whenever it has come in the news, it has been with connection to some hit and run case or the other.


India has seen two high profile hit and run cases recently, one involving Sanjiv Nanda, the grandson of a formal Navy Chief, and the other one involving teenager Utsav Bhasin, the son of a renowned industrialist. Both of them come from affluent families, and the car involved in both the accidents, was a beemer. Media, pounced upon the cases with the tagline - “BMW Hit and Run Case”.

 The Indian television news channels, who aspire to be more sensational than the best thriller you ever saw, have also been more dramatic and repetitive than any daily soap can ever claim to be. Discussed around the television screens at an amazingly repetitive and sensationalized coverage, the general public has been more than confused. While many people may not know the name of the people involved in these incidents, or of the lives lost as a result, what has stuck is the brand of the car(s) in these incidents. The result – A tarnished brand image.

A basic fact that appears to have been overlooked in the media scrutiny of these cases is that cars don’t drive themselves. The name of the marque is repeated so vehemently in certain sections of these reports, it almost appears that the vehicle decided to disobey its master and to ram into some innocent bystander. So, I will take a leaf out of the television reporter’s dictionary and repeat myself; Cars don’t drive themselves. It is common sense that things will go awry when a person is driving under the influence of some kind of intoxication - be it alcohol or something else - the brand of the car involved is quite immaterial in such circumstances. When the reins are in the driver’s hands, why blame the brand?

Now to get back to our fascination for the beemer...no worries! With the arguments set out above, it was a matter of time before we made the elders see our point of view. No wonder, BMW won two Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. Check out more in the gallery and decide for yourself.

BMW working on an environment friendly supercar

Words from the mouth of a BMW Insider say that the company is working on a new eco-friendly supercar. Likely to be based on the M1 Homage Concept, the new supercar will be a showcase of the cutting edge technology developed by the company. BMW’s Efficient Dynamics program will be involved in a big way to lower environmental impact. An aluminum spaceframe and carbon-fiber body panels are also likely to be used, in order to lower the weight of the car.

The automaker has not decided on the layout or the powertrain to be used in the car. Reportedly, BMW bosses are considering a mid-engine layout or a front-engine configuration. Similarly, though a twin-turbocharched inline-six-cylinder is currently the favored candidate to deliver power, the final engine may have an engine with new variable-vane turbochargers; a new hybrid powertrain cannot be ruled out either. BMW isn’t working on new projects right now, and the car hasn’t been given the go-ahead yet, but the source has been quoted saying:
It just makes good sense given the sort of focus that is being placed on the environment today. The technology that has been proposed is already largely in place. It’s just a matter of applying it in one purpose-built package.


Image: BMW

Via: Autoweek

BMW why BMW?

BMW Diesels are Pricey

Both of BMW's upcoming diesel autos will showcase the brand's 265-hp, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six producing 425 pounds-feet of torque. A six-speed transmission will be the lone transmission option.

The 335d will be priced at $43,900, a $1,900 price increase over a comparable gas-powered model. Performance remains stout with a 6.2 second sprint to sixty while still offering up fuel economy figures rivaling four cylinder gas powered cars at 23/33mpg city/highway.

The other diesel model will be the X5 xDrive35d. Priced at $51,200, the car boasts a more significant $4,100 price increase over its conventionally powered brethren. The X5 being able to attain 19/25mpg city/highway.

Both cars will be 50 state legal and will use a particulate filter coupled to a urea injection system similar to that used in the Mercedes BlueTec system. Both cars are also eligible for tax credits from the government which effectively halve the price increases over the standard motored cars.

Our take? Expensive, especially considering the price of diesel over regular gas.

via Kicking Tires

2009 BMW 7-Series UK Version

The launch of the fifth generation BMW 7-Series marks a new in-class benchmark in automotive luxury, technical innovation and driving dynamics, combined with emissions-reducing and fuel-saving technology.

The flagship of the BMW model range debuts on 15 November 2008 with a host of world firsts and will initially be offered with a choice of three powerplants, one diesel and two petrol engines. The two petrol-powered cars will be offered with a long-wheelbase body. All three engines produce more power, yet use less fuel and produce fewer emissions than the models they replace.

Klaus Kibsgaard, Managing Director of BMW (UK) Ltd, said: "The BMW 7-Series is BMW personified: a luxurious, sporting premium car that is ideal for the businessman who enjoys driving. EfficientDynamics technologies offer low cost of ownership benefits at a time of financial uncertainty. The car introduces a number of intelligent design and engineering enhancements that make it a truly class-leading product."

Drivetrain The BMW 730d is powered by a new, all-aluminium engine that produces 245hp and 540Nm of torque. Capable of propelling the vehicle from zero to 62mph in 7.2 seconds before going on to a top speed of 153mph, the vehicle is still able to return the best fuel economy of any previous BMW 7-Series. And its combined 39.2mpg figure is better than any comparable car in the market: petrol, diesel or hybrid.
The BMW 740i and 750i are equally noteworthy. The 740i is powered by an evolution of the current back-to-back International Engine of the Year-winning 3.0-litre petrol engine. The twin-turbocharged unit produces 326hp and 450Nm of torque to enable the 740i to accelerate from zero to 62mph in 5.9 seconds before going on to an electronically-limited 155mph top speed. It records a combined consumption figure of 28.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 232g/km.

As the flagship of the range, the BMW 750Li takes pride of place with its own world first. Its twin-turbochargers are located within the engine's vee to improve performance and packaging requirements. The configuration sees the 750i produce 407hp and 600Nm of torque which equates to a zero to 62mph time of 5.2 seconds, an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph, a combined consumption figure of 24.8mpg and emissions of 266g/km.

The BMW 7-Series comes with the marque's award-winning EfficientDynamics technologies - the same as every other model currently on sale. The introduction of Brake Energy Regeneration, active aerodynamics and on-demand use of ancillary units have all had a beneficial impact on economy and emissions compared to the previous generation. The BMW 730d is the first Seven to ever record a sub 200g/km emissions figure. Such is the impact of EfficientDynamics technologies across the entire BMW range, the marque now offers 73 models with CO2 emissions of 140g/km or less in the UK and Republic of Ireland - a greater figure than any other premium manufacturer.

Chassis and safety As with all modern BMWs, the 7-Series has a chassis configuration aimed at balancing ride comfort with a dynamic driving experience. A 50:50 weight distribution and the extensive use of lightweight materials throughout the car provide a good foundation. Building on this are a raft of active chassis and safety systems that further enhance the experience.

Standard on all BMW 7-Series variants is a double wishbone front suspension with an Integral V rear suspension configuration. Long wheelbase cars supplant the Integral V rear axle with an air suspension for greater rear passenger ride comfort. In addition to this every vehicle features Drive Dynamic Control that offers four distinct set-ups of Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport+. At the touch of a button the driver can alter the gear change, throttle response, degree of power steering assistance, damper settings and the Dynamic Stability Control+ programme.
Building on the standard chassis configuration are a number of optional features. Integral Active Steering allows all four wheels of the car to be steered. This improves the turning circle at slower speeds while offering a more composed ride at higher speeds. In a world first, Speed Limit Display uses a forward-facing camera to scan road signs and display the current speed limit to the driver. The system even recognises variable speed warnings in road works. Lane Departure Warning shares the same camera as Speed Limit Display to monitor road markings and warn the driver if they are in danger of straying out of lane.

Lane Change Warning provides a rearward-facing safety blanket courtesy of two sensors situated in the bumper. The system alerts the driver to any vehicle that may be in a blind spot. The BMW 7-Series can also be specified with the world's first Night Vision system with individual pedestrian recognition. Not only does the latest Night Vision scan the road 300 metres ahead it is now able to warn the driver if a pedestrian is likely to walk into the path of the car. Side View cameras and Head-up Display are two further safety features that are segment firsts.

2009 BMW 7-Series UK Version- Pictures: