BMW has announced the return of the 740i and 740Li models for the 2011 model year.
The 2011 740i and 740Li will be powered by BMW's twin-turbocharged inline-six with 315 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 330 lb-ft of torque from 1600-4500 rpm. The six-cylinder is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Both models will be available in the spring of 2010.
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PRESS RELEASE:
The 2011 BMW 740i and 740Li Sedans - Six-Cylinder BMW Power Returns to the 7 Series in North America
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - December 16, 2009 2:00pm Eastern ... As an exciting example of its EfficientDynamics engineering philosophy, BMW announced the North American debut of the 7 Series with a twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine. Featuring BMW's award-winning inline-6 engine that produces V-8 power on six-cylinder fuel consumption, the new BMW 740i and BMW 740Li achieve a remarkable balance of power, efficiency, and sporty driving dynamics. Both models will go on sale in the United States as 2011 models in Spring 2010. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
In 1977, the original BMW 7 Series was launched exclusively with inline-6 propulsion. The United States first met the BMW 7 Series in the 1978 model year as the 733i Sedan. The 733i featured a 3.2-liter inline-6 engine rated at 197 horsepower. The 733i remained on sale in America until it was replaced in 1985 by the BMW 735i Sedan. The 735i, which featured an updated inline-6 engine producing 218 horsepower from 3.4 liters, enjoyed a production run that lasted through the end of the 1992 model year. The 735i was joined by the extended-wheelbase 735iL in May of 1988.
A keystone of BMW's EfficientDynamics philosophy is "virtual displacement," the notion that BMW's modern engines of smaller displacement can equal or exceed the outputs of traditional engines of larger displacement and more cylinders. This principle is already seen in the BMW 750i model, which features a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine performing at the level of BMW's previous-generation V12 engine. Virtual displacement provides the power of a larger engine with the fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions signature of a smaller engine. The 2011 BMW 740i and 740Li feature BMW's internationally acclaimed twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine with up-rated output of 315 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 330 lb-ft of torque from 1600-4500 rpm. All-aluminum construction, High Precision direct fuel injection, Double-VANOS variable camshaft technology, and Brake Energy Regeneration are a few of the technologies used under the BMW EfficientDynamics philosophy to place the 740i and 740Li among the most powerful six-cylinder luxury sedans in the world.
Delivering power to the rear wheels is BMW's 6-speed automatic transmission, well-known for fast, smooth gearshifts and an ability to intelligently adapt to the driver's style. Both models will be available with the full complement of well-known 7 Series options and packages, including the M Sport Package, Driver Assistance Package, Luxury Seating Packages, Rear Entertainment Package, and even the BMW Individual Composition Package.
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Comments (11)
Really this is simply making a cheaper product to maintain a specific sales margin.
Yes it's more "green" and might get a tad better gas mileage, but when you are buying a 7 series, I doubt that matters.
Posted by Brian | December 16, 2009 12:15 PM
Posted on December 16, 2009 12:15
BMW has competely messed up it's naming conventions over the last years. Why? Why didn't they call this a 735i?
Are car buyers really that shallow, that a lower number on the back of a BMW means less status? If so, adopt the German way: no badge on the back at all. A connaisseur will be able to tell the versions apart regardless, while those who can't wouldn't care anyway.
Posted by M | December 16, 2009 1:16 PM
Posted on December 16, 2009 13:16
@M
Totally agree.
Posted by Totenglocke | December 16, 2009 2:51 PM
Posted on December 16, 2009 14:51
Why?
Now that the banks have paid-off their loans, we'll all get fat bonusses again. What do i need a 6-Cil for then?
Posted by Waldorff | December 17, 2009 3:41 AM
Posted on December 17, 2009 03:41
I agree with Brian and M. I also notice the story never once confirmed the displacement of this inline six, almost trying to make one draw the conclusion it's a 4 liter by the model number. They detail the history of 6 cylinder engines in the 7 series but when they start to describe the engine now, they never mention the displacement........On a side note, If this is a 3.5 liter 6 cylinder with 315HP, I immediately feel the need to compare it to Ford's Ecotec engines since they too are advertising their own version of virtual displacement and their desire to provide smaller, turbocharged engines in place of larger, naturally aspirated engines. Ford's 3.5 liter V6 Ecotec puts out 365HP in the Ford SHO and 355HP in the Lincoln MKS. Nice to see the domestic industry has matched or beaten BMW in the HP per displacement category. Having come of age during the dismal 1970s, it always pained me to see how pathetic the domestic engines were compared to the rest of the world. As late as the 1990s the US was still making sad HP for the size of most of the engines offered. Now both GM and Ford offer some world class engines. ( The GM world 3.6 liter V6 can be had in naturally aspirated form over 300HP in Cadillacs. ) Bravo home team!
Posted by remyj | December 17, 2009 3:41 AM
Posted on December 17, 2009 03:41
It might be worth pointing out that the 335 and the 535 actually have a 3.0L motor. BMW named them with the 35 suffix because the 330 and 530 already existed as NA models.
Posted by Cashmoney | December 17, 2009 6:48 AM
Posted on December 17, 2009 06:48
Turbo cars generate much more CO2 when on boost. The also have to run much richer fuel mixtrures during boost. It's a very heavy car it will be on boost alot. As such if you hang in the city this would be worse for the environment than a bigger engine.
Kinda like the M3 beat the Prius on the track.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | December 17, 2009 8:50 AM
Posted on December 17, 2009 08:50
A lot of turbo cars are out there, more than ever. More are are coming. The days of an engine dumping a lot of fuel in to take of a turbo are long gone. Fuel sipping and low co2 will be the goals of all cars, turbos included. I wonder if we'll see BMW bring over the diesel 6 for the 7 series.
Posted by jaydee | December 17, 2009 9:02 AM
Posted on December 17, 2009 09:02
"( The GM world 3.6 liter V6 can be had in naturally aspirated form over 300HP in Cadillacs. ) Bravo home team!" - remyj
Not really. Direct injected 3.6L and the Caddy is still dog slow compared to it's "rivals."
"Ford's 3.5 liter V6 Ecotec puts out 365HP in the Ford SHO and 355HP in the Lincoln MKS. Nice to see the domestic industry has matched or beaten BMW in the HP per displacement category." - remyj
Domestic (built to the tenth of a penny) beating a higher priced, higher margin brand like BMW...lmfao.
Though a premium brand like BMW doesn't have raw sales numbers, I'm willing to bet BMW's 3.0L turbo inline six will be in 5x more cars than the overpriced top line SHO and MK_...which aren't going to sell IMO.
$40k+ for a gaudy looking Ford or a classy looking IS350/G37/335i with proven resale and a badge that most people drool over?
Posted by Noya | December 17, 2009 2:14 PM
Posted on December 17, 2009 14:14
For people wondering about engine size, the summary says "powered by BMW's twin-turbocharged inline-six". Since BMW only has one twin-turbo six right now, it's safe to assume that they mean the 3 liter twin-turbo six that's in the 335 / 535. In the 335 / 535 it makes 300 hp / 300 lb/ft - given that they tweaked it a bit, that fits with this engines stated output of 315 hp / 330 lb/ft. More than ample power for this car, especially since it hits max torque at a whopping 1,600 rpms.
Posted by Totenglocke | December 17, 2009 6:19 PM
Posted on December 17, 2009 18:19
I was speaking to hp per cubic inch and how the domestic engines have gotten better. I was not speaking to how desirable the SHO was versus a BMW 5 series or resale value. Of course the BMW is a more desirable car and of course it will have better resale value. And of course 315HP is more than ample for the BMW. The only point I was trying to make was maybe things are getting better in the US car industry versus 20 years ago if they are matching or beating the competition on HP per cubic inch recently. I should have known all the haters would jump me after trying to make a positive statement. Sigh.
Posted by remyj | December 18, 2009 4:38 AM
Posted on December 18, 2009 04:38