First look: More muscle for BMW's 7 Series

THE divisive looks remain in tact, however BMW has seen fit to repair its controversial iDrive controller and improve on engine performance and vehicle ride and handling with its 2005 7 Series limousine range announced last week and due on sale in Australia mid-year.

The standard and long wheelbase (Li) versions in 735 and 745 guise will be substituted for a 740i/Li and 750i/Li, marking the progress BMW’s powertrain engineers have made in their V8 engine stable – and marking management’s response to criticism that the marque’s lower series V8s needed more muscle.

The baseline 735’s 200kW/360Nm 3.6-litre V8 will be retired in favour of a 4.0-litre iteration – hence the 740 label – with Valvetronic and double-VANOS technology, and a maximum output of 225kW (up 13 per cent) at 6300rpm and 390Nm (up 8 per cent) at 3500rpm.

The reported EU fuel consumption figures are similar to the outgoing 3.6-litre engine at 11.1 litres per 100km, while 100km/h is claimed to be reached from standstill in 6.8 seconds – seven tenths earlier than before.

With the 745i/Li, the 245kW/450Nm 4.4-litre V8 will be deleted for a 4.8-litre version in the rather misleading '750' model. Also with Valvetronic and double-VANOS, this EU4/ULEV II-compliant engine can realise 270kW (up 10 per cent) at 6300rpm and 490Nm (up 9 per cent) at 3400rpm.

BMW claims the 4.8 V8 can send the vehicle from 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.9 seconds (down from 6.3 seconds in the 745), while the fuel consumption indicator remains at 11.4L/100km.

The 327kW/600Nm 6.0-litre V12 in the 760i/Li version will continue unchanged and, as before, a six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic sequential manual model will be standard across the range.

Larger brakes will be introduced in accordance with engine modifications, while all 7 Series models will benefit from chassis and suspension revisions that include a 14mm increase in rear track.

Owners will also be able to choose from three factory-tweaked suspension configurations, from the standard-issue Series to the high-level Adaptive and enthusiast-oriented Sport.

On the outer skin, the bonnet’s “powerdome” has been revised, the sculpting on the side sills takes a slightly different direction and minor alterations can be seen on the grille, front and rear air dam and front and rear lights. New chrome detailing is also apparent on the rear end.

Four new exterior colours will be offered, new 18-inch and 19-inch wheel designs will become available and a two-stage brake warning light system at the rear of the vehicle will make its debut, the latter emitting a stronger signal than usual to following motorists whenever the 7 Series driver hits the brakes with uncommon force.

Inside, the elaborate iDrive will come with improved menu guidance, better menu presentation and direct access to basic entertainment functions such as selection of the audio source and frequency band.

DVB-T televisions able to receive digital TV broadcasts will enter the picture, MP3 discs will be compatible with the CD changer and BMW’s Assist telematics and Online Internet portal is set to become standard on models fitted with a phone and satellite navigation.

These latter services will become available during the course of 2005 under the marque’s so-called ConnectedDrive package.

“We are confident the success of the BMW 7 Series will continue,” said BMW Group Australia managing director Franz Sauter, who admitted to GoAuto during 2003 that the 7 Series’ design and sophisticated iDrive were “a challenge in the beginning”.

VFACTS figures indicate the E55/E56 7 Series has been on a downward sales trend after the initial surge from its 2002 introduction, with 392 sold in 2003 and 301 sold last year. Mercedes-Benz has also struggled in the segment, its S-class sales falling to 289 sales in 2004, down from 427 in 2003.

Full specification and pricing for the 2005 7 Series range are still to be announced.