BMW UK announced this week that its portfolio of models will get two new entry-level diesel choices for customers interested in the 7 Series. The new BMW 725d and 725Ld models mark a premiere in the history of the German brand since the introduction of its flagship took place back in 1977, as they are to become the first BMW 7 Series models offered with a 2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine under the hood.
As expected, they will also be the cheapest choices available in the 7 Series range in the UK, being priced at £61,300 OTR for the new BMW 725d and £65,250 OTR for the BMW 725Ld stripping the BMW 730d of that title. But what does all that money buy you?
Under the hood of the new 725d hides, as we said, a 2-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine but not an ordinary one. Being fitted with not one but two turbochargers, the mill makes 231 PS and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. Due to its fast shifting 8-speed gearbox, the car’s no slouch as some may think. It reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) from standstill in 6.9 seconds or 7 seconds flat, for the long wheelbase version.
The top speed isn’t all that bad either, the cars being rated at 152 mph (244 km/h), just shy of the usual electronically limited benchmark of 155 mph (250 km/h). At the same time, BMW claims they will do around 50 mpg US (4.7 l/100km) according to the NEDC test cycle. Of course, we’re expecting those figures to vary in real life situations but either way, this should be the most fuel-efficient 7 Series ever sold.
That said, this doesn’t seem like a bad way to gain access to the 7 Series community, if having a 4-cylinder diesel engine under the hood doesn’t bother you. If you’re interested, you can actually put in an order right now, as the cars are already available for interested customers.
