BMW releases new photos of the 2016 BMW 7 Series 740Le plug-in hybrid. The new 7 Series is being launched this week in Porto and New York City with hundreds of journalists from around the world driving a variety for models. Over the next few years, BMW brand will get electrified; theX5 xDrive40e was the first plug-in hybrid announced with techniques learned from BMW’s i division. From there, the 330e plug-in hybrid was announced and now, the 7 Series gets a plug-in hybrid.
Set to compete with the Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-In Hybrid, the 740Le xDrive will use advanced technologies learned from BMW’s newfound experience.
To start, along with the rest of the new 7 Series lineup, the construction will have extensive uses of CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic), as well as other high-end materials such as aluminum and magnesium. What BMW calls Carbon Core Passenger Cell technology is a passenger cell that utilizes CFRP along with aluminum and high-tensile steels in the main passenger cell as well as B Pillars and roof. There will also be aluminum doors and trunk lid as well as lightweight bonding and sound deadening. All of this weight savings leads to a 190 lb weight loss over previous models.
The 740e xDrive will employ similar techniques found in the i8 and its integration of gas engine, Steptronic transmission and electric drive unit. The 740e xDrive will use a similar setup to the X5 xDrive40e, a 2.0 liter TwinPower turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired to an electric motor and eight-speed Steptronic transmission which will send power through all of the wheels via BMW’s latest xDrive all-wheel drive system. The electric motor will be powered by a Lithium-Ion Battery, located under the rear seat for better weight distribution and crash protection, which can be recharged via any domestic power socket, BMW i Wallbox or public charging station.
The 740e xDrive will utilize an eDrive button on the center console to control the level of electric drive being utilized. There will be three settings, AUTO eDrive, MAX eDrive and Battery Control modes. AUTO eDrive will be the basic setting, using the electric motor to maximize engine power when needed, such as during hard acceleration. MAX eDrive allows the 740e xDrive to drive purely under electric power, at up to 75 mph, for 23 miles. That’s three more miles than the S550 Plug-In Hybrid, though the Benz can do up to 87 mph under pure electric power. Battery Control Mode maintains or raises the battery’s state of charge so as to conserve power. It will also utilize the navigation system and route guidance to create a trip-specific strategy to conserve energy necessary for the destination. The eight-speed automatic’s Brake Energy Regeneration and Route-Ahead Assistant systems will also aid the car in seeking out extra mileage for the battery.
Here are the official stats on the 7 Series hybrid:
BMW 740e (BMW 740Le, BMW 740Le xDrive): Four-cylinder in-line petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology (TwinScroll turbocharger, direct injection, VALVETRONIC, Double-VANOS).
Capacity: 1,997cc, output: 190 kW/258 hp at 5,000–6,500 rpm, max. torque: 400 Nm / 295 lb-ft at 1,250–4,800 rpm.
BMW eDrive technology with synchronous electric motor,
output: 83 kW/113 hp, torque: 250 Nm (184 lb-ft), lithium-ion high-voltage battery.
Total system output: 240 kW/326 hp.
Acceleration [0–100 km/h / 62 mph]: 5.6 seconds (BMW 740Le: 5.7 seconds, BMW 740Le xDrive: 5.5 seconds),
top speed: >240 km/h / 149 mph,
top speed, electric: 120 km/h / 75 mph (electronically limited);
electric range**: 40 km / 25 miles (BMW 740Le: 40 km / 25 miles, BMW 740Le xDrive: 37 km / 23 miles).
Average fuel consumption**: 2.1 litres/100 kilometres / 134.5 mpg imp (BMW 740Le: 2.1 litres / 134.5 mpg imp, BMW 740Le xDrive: 2.3 litres / 122.8 mpg imp),
12.5 kWh/100 kilometres (BMW 740Le: 12.5 kWh, BMW 740Le xDrive: 13.0 kWh),
CO2 emissions**: 49 g/km (BMW 740Le: 49 g/km, BMW 740Le xDrive: 53 g/km), exhaust standard: EU6.
