BMW 7-Series Engines Revealed


While the 4th is an American day of celebration, it's a day of national shame, disgust, and disappointment for our British friends across the Atlantic (Jeremy Clarkson, in particular, is said to be spending the day sobbing and eating some kind of pie with meat, rather than apples). To help combat their dreadful feelings, BMW of UK has put out a press release on the just revealed new uberlux 7-Series sedan. Not surprisingly, it will holster the new twin-turbo V8 engine (badged 750i in The Land of Hope and Glory). The 740i name returns, denoting the sublime 3.0-liter twin turbo six from the 335i, making 326hp– as much power as the last gen 745i V8. The force-fed six will rocket the 740i to 60 in six seconds. Naturally, the "Biggest Losers of 1777" will get a straight-six diesel 7, stumping-up 245 hp and returning some 32 mpg. BMW UK estimates the six-pot oil burner will account for 85 percent of 7-Series UK sales. With a 0 – 60mph time of 7.2 seconds, why not? So, is BMW ready to bring a six cylinder 7-Series to America? Uh, no. But ours (like theirs) will come with enough gizmos to make an S-Class nervous: optional four-wheel steering (!), side view cameras, variable damping suspension, night vision, and something called "post warranty heart attack." On sale in the UK in November; anticipate a similar date for us Yankees.
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I'd really like a return to sanity in BMW's model numbers. How about using "T" for turbo. 730Ti instead of 740i 330Ti instead of 335i 330i instead of 328i This would make things a little messy if they ever do detuned (330Ei?), hybrid (330Hi) or twincharged (330STi) engines, but hey, at least it'd make sense.
By the way, that's a second-gen (P11) Infiniti G20 - known around the world as the Nissan Primera. Similar C-pillar window kink, but that's no BMW. I know - I used to own one.
Damnit where's the 12 pot?? I know fuel prices are high and all that, but Mercedes has two V12s and even a naturally aspirated V8 in their S-Class that beats the 750i in terms of raw horsepower; Even Audi's got a W12 for the A8. Maybe BMW's going the Lexus way by adding a battery to the twin turbo V8 and greenwashing it. Or maybe they just don't want to overpower the upcoming RR4. Nonetheless a flagship luxury sedan just doesn't feel right without a big 12 cylinder.