The 2005 BMW 7 Series - Phase 2

The most successful BMW 7 Series of all time, is ready to stride confidently into the second phase of its lifecycle.

Headlining the enhancements are two more powerful V8 engines. Driving dynamics and sporting performance are enriched for greater levels of satisfaction. Detail refinements to the exterior and interior bring even more driving enjoyment.

The sum of these changes raises the class benchmark still further, as the 2005 BMW 7 Series sets yet another new standard in luxury performance.

The natural elegance and charisma of the stand-out 7 Series has been enhanced with a subtle freshening to sharpen its visual appeal.

The biggest changes lie under the bonnet, with updated V8 engines given more capacity, for more power and even more electrifying responsiveness.

The 750i/Li designation makes its first appearance in the E65 standard wheelbase and E66 lengthened wheelbase 7 Series.

Previously the 750i badge indicated twelve silent running, highly muscular cylinders.

For 2005, the badge is applied to the new 4.8-litre capacity V8, marking the increase from 4.4-litres as fitted to the previous 745i/Li.

This delivers a mighty 270 kW of power at 6,300 rpm and 490 Nm of torque at 3,400 rpm, a not-insubstantial rise of 25 kW and 40 Nm of torque.

The new 750i/Li rockets to 100 km/h from rest in 5.9 seconds, 0.4 seconds faster than the 745i/Li, yet fuel consumption of the EU4/ULEV II compliant engine is unchanged.

The new 740i/Li designation now refers to the 4.0-litre capacity V8, replacing the 735i/Li in the range.

Output rises by 25 kW to 225 kW at 6,300 rpm and peak torque is 390 Nm at 3,500 rpm, up 30 Nm. The 740i/Li surges to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds, 0.7 seconds faster than before. Fuel consumption rises by the most insignificant of margins; 0.1-litres per 100 km.

As before, a six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic is standard on all models.

All engines excel through their high output per litre, their wide useful speed range, their "beefy" torque curve, excellent running refinement and moderate fuel consumption. The revised V8 engines remain remarkably abstemious, despite their exhilarating performance, a notable engineering feat. The superior and refined V8 engines utilise BMW advanced VALVETRONIC technology for a fully variable valve train.

Seated at the pinnacle of the BMW range is the 760i/Li with its majestic 6.0-litre V12 engine developing 327kW of power and a mountainous 600 Nm of torque. This model was introduced in 2003 and so the engine continues unchanged.

The state-of-the-art V12 engine employs a unique combination of direct petrol injection and VALVETRONIC, four-valves per cylinder and double-VANOS. BMW VALVETRONIC technology ensures the V12 engine remains frugal, especially under part throttle, while direct fuel injection increases both torque and output.

BMW engine technology continues to reach for new horizons, with the introduction in 2005 of the 5.0-litre, 373kW, naturally aspirated V10 destined for use in the M5 and M6 supercars. The company’s internationally acclaimed straight six engines, led by the incomparable 3.2-litre 265 kW engine in the BMW M3 CSL, continue to thrill high performance addicts across the motoring world.

BMW engineers focus on a concept described internally as “Efficient Dynamics”.

This philosophy ensures that any increase in engine output and torque is matched by careful regard for consumption and emissions. Foremost in the minds of engineers are the goals of enhanced agility and an intensified driving experience.

Efficient Dynamics means consistently solving and eliminating conflicts of interest, since in conventional terms more power also means more fuel, more comfort means more weight, which again means more fuel and so on through a particularly vicious circle. Another outstanding example is the intensive research on hydrogen drive BMW has been pursuing for decades, again contributing to the concept of efficient dynamics.

Indeed, a BMW 7 Series running on this environmentally friendly fuel will be introduced into the market in the next few years as a series production model.

The BMW 7 Series featuring an aluminium suspension as standard offers supreme steering precision, exceptional agility, and well-balanced driving characteristics. As a result, the chassis and suspension of the 7 Series combines superior agility and sporting performance, on the one hand, with supreme comfort, on the other, thus offering the best of both worlds in every respect.

The chassis and suspension of the BMW 7 Series has now been updated and enhanced to an even higher standard. A 14 mm increase in track at the rear, and enhanced axle kinematics, exert a positive influence on the car's driving dynamics.

Now BMW offers more choice for discerning drivers, the ability to customise their chassis set-up at the factory through the selection of advanced technical solutions.

Adaptive Drive suspension now combines Dynamic Drive with BMW's EDC-C continuously adjustable damper control system, thus offering an unprecedented synthesis of supreme driving dynamics and maximum comfort on the road.

Dynamic Drive almost completely eliminates body roll in bends and once again improves the car's steering behaviour on the road through the use of fully variable anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles.

EDC-C, in turn, consistently adjusts damper characteristics to changing road, load and driving conditions, ranging from very comfortable to sporting and firm.

More sporting drivers may choose a Sports Package that combines the sports set-up of the suspension with Dynamic Drive for a sharper, highly responsive experience guaranteed to appeal to the high-performance driver.

As a result, BMW offers the widest choice of suspension control systems in the luxury large sedan segment, naturally also including enhanced brakes reflecting the higher level of power and performance.

With a more athletic heart beating strongly under the bonnet and an even more poised and controlled suspension system keeping the wheels turning, it is only to be expected that BMW designers wanted to announce these important technical changes to the outside world.

Refinements in design bring a new, striking powerdome for the bonnet. The trademark kidney grille, headlights and front air dam are all revised, discretely of course.

At the rear, surfaces and body panels now have even clearer contours. A new chrome trim strip, redesigned taillights and the restyled rear air dam faired into the deck-lid complete the picture.

Revised side sills are sculpted to emphasise the enhanced sportiness and dynamic character of the BMW 7 Series.

Inside the car, the unique feeling of luxury and peaceful tranquillity has been further refined by the choice of materials and colours.

BMW's iDrive allows the driver to focus consistently on prevailing driving and traffic conditions. Optimised menu guidance in the Control Display, upgraded menu presentation, and direct access to the entertainment functions - in particular selection of the audio source and the radio frequency band - are the key changes.

In 2003, customer deliveries of 57,899 units worldwide was the best ever year for the BMW 7 Series, a 14 percent increase on the previous high water mark (1997).

Introducing the current 7 Series, BMW has succeeded in giving the new model a firm position in the region's luxury segment, catching up in terms of volume with the markets where, by tradition, the BMW 7 Series has always had a strong position - in particular Europe and North America.

Accounting for more than 50 per cent of total sales, the BMW 745i/Li with its large V8 power unit is the best-selling model worldwide. The long-wheelbase version, in turn, accounts for more than half of all BMW 7 Series sold.

2005-01-27 Please quote Autoindex.org if You use this news article!