BMW 7 Series (F01)


The fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series consists of the BMW F01 and BMW F02 full-size luxury sedans. The F01/F02 generation was produced from 2008 to 2015 and is often collectively referred to as the F01.
The F01 was the first BMW vehicle to be available with a hybrid drivetrain, an 8-speed automatic transmission and a turbocharged V12 engine. It was the second 7 Series to be available with a turbocharged petrol engine, and all-wheel drive. The wheelbase was increased by 8 cm over the outgoing 7 Series. Other model codes used for this generation were F03 for the "High Security 7 Series" armoured car and F04 for the "ActiveHybrid 7" hybrid-electric model.
In July 2015, the BMW 7 Series began production as the successor to the F01.

Development and launch

The car's exterior was designed by Canadian automotive designer Karim Habib. The styling retained some elements from its predecessor but did away with the controversial elements among the enthusiasts. The headlamps were reminiscent to the E65 7 Series but were smaller and sleeker. The car incorporated a wider and bigger kidney grille that went deeper into the front apron for a more aggressive appearance. The F01 7 Series was larger than its predecessor adding to the overall length and to the wheelbase while gaining more weight.
The car was first revealed to the public in the Red Square in Moscow on 8 July 2008. Other launch events included the Paris Motor Show in October and the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November.

Equipment

The F01 was available with rear-wheel steering, all-wheel drive, eight speed automatic transmission, pedestrian recognition for the night vision feature, blind spot monitoring, massage function for the rear seats and the radar cruise control system was now able to completely stop the car and accelerate from a standstill.
Side cameras were fitted in the front bumper to assist with merging and exiting narrow spaces. By combining these cameras with the front and rear cameras, the F01 can display a virtual overhead graphic of the car to assist with parking. The instrument cluster has an LCD backdrop, allowing various graphics to be shown. A lane departure warning system - as fitted to the E60 5 Series since 2007 - was also available for the first time in a 7 Series.
Departures from the non-traditional interior design of the E65 include the transmission shifter being relocated to the centre console and the seat controls being relocated to the outside edge of the seat base.

Engine

Petrol engines

ModelYearsEnginePowerTorqueTop speed
730i/Li2009–2015N52B30
NA I6		 at 6,600 rpm at 2,600 rpm
740i/Li2008–2012N54B30
turbocharged I6		 at 5,800 rpm at 1,500–4,500 rpm*
740i/Li2012–2015N55B30
turbocharged I6		 at 5,800 rpm
at 1,300–4,500 rpm		*
750i/Li2008–2012N63B44O0
twin-turbocharged V8
at 6,400 rpm
at 1,750–4,500 rpm		*
750i/Li2012–2015N63B44O1
twin-turbocharged V8		 at 6,000 rpm at 2,000–4,500 rpm*
760i/Li2009–2015N74B60
twin-turbocharged V12**		 at 5,250 rpm at 1,500–5,000 rpm*
ActiveHybrid7 / ActiveHybrid7L2010–2012N63B4401 twin-turbocharged V8 at 6,000 rpm at 2,000–4,500 rpm*
ActiveHybrid7 / ActiveHybrid7L2010–2012electric motor*
ActiveHybrid7 / ActiveHybrid7L2010–2012combined*
ActiveHybrid7 / ActiveHybrid7L2012–2015N55B30
turbocharged I6		 at 5,800 rpm at 1,300–4,500 rpm*
ActiveHybrid7 / ActiveHybrid7L2012–2015electric motor*
ActiveHybrid7 / ActiveHybrid7L2012–2015combined*
Alpina B72010–2012N63-M1
twin-turbocharged V8		 at 5,500 rpm at 3,000–4,750 rpm
Alpina B72012–2015N63-M1/1
twin-turbocharged V8		 at 6,250 rpm at 2,800–5,000 rpm

* Top speed is electronically limited.
** The V12 engine for the F01 760i/Li was redesigned as a twin-turbocharged 6.0L in order to maintain a performance advantage over the 750i, which utilised a turbocharged V8 engine. In some markets, the V12 engine was only available in the long-wheelbase model.

Diesel engines

* Top speed is electronically limited.

Special Models

High Security (F03)

The 750Li High Security and 760Li High Security models are the first cars to be certified with BRV 2009 and VR7 ballistics protection ratings. Security upgrades include undercarriage armour, thick multi-layer laminated glass and armour plating on the doors, roof, body pillars, front footwell and rear bulkhead. Due to the added weight of the security upgrades, suspension components such as the shock absorbers and strut tops were upgraded. Options included an intercom system between the passengers and the driver, an alarm, a fire extinguisher with temperature sensor, irritant gas sensors, a fresh-air supply system and a compartment for two machine guns in the centre console.
The High Security models were unveiled in GPEC 2012.

ActiveHybrid 7 (F04) (2010–2012)

The Activehybrid 7 was the first BMW vehicle to use a hybrid drivetrain. The concept was unveiled as the Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid at the 2008 Paris Motor Show and the 2008 Los Angeles International Auto Show. The production version was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, and shown again later at the Monaco Yacht Show 2010.
The production version called the ActiveHybrid 7 uses the engine from the 750i plus an electric motor rated at and of torque. The electric motor is integrated into the transmission housing, replacing the alternator and the starter. The battery is a lithium-ion type and located under the boot floor. Other features include an auto start/stop system. and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid system was based on the 2-mode hybrid from Daimler AG. The regenerative braking unit includes 12 V Absorbent Glass Mat batteries, running in parallel to a 120 V electrical network for electric motor. BMW claims it improved fuel consumption and reduced emissions by 15% over the non-hybrid model.
The wheelbase of the ActiveHybrid 7 is extended by and the car weighs more than a regular 750i.
The car's exterior profile was designed by Karim Habib, Team Leader, Advanced Design for BMW in Munich, Germany.
The fuel economy benefits of the ActiveHybrid 7 were questioned by reviewers, since the EPA consumption ratings of city and are not significantly better than the significantly cheaper 740i model's ratings of city and highway. The contemporary 740i was powered by a conventional petrol engine. The 740i has less weight than the 750i over the front axle.
In late 2012, the ActiveHybrid 7's powertrain was significantly changed, switching from the 750i's turbocharged 4.4 litre V8 engine to the turbocharged 3.0 litre six-cylinder engine from the 740i. The electric motor was upgraded to. The 2012-2015 ActiveHybrid 7 was only available as a long-wheelbase model. Fuel economy was significantly improved for the updated drivetrain, which was rated at city and highway.

Alpina B7

The Alpina B7 is based on the 750i and began production for the 2011 model year. The vehicle was unveiled in 2010 Chicago Auto Show, and went on sale in Spring of 2010. Production version went on sale as 2011 model year vehicle. The Alpina B7's engine is assembled by hand at Alpina's facility in Buchloe, Germany, before being shipped to BMW for installation, and the assembled vehicle is then sent back to Alpina for finishing touches.
In the 2010–2012 B7, Alpina's variant of the N63 twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine rated at and, with the same fuel economy figures as the regular 750i. Compared with the regular N63 engine, the Alpina variant includes high-performance pistons, strengthened cylinder heads, an additional radiator and external coolers for the engine oil and transmission oil. Larger and lighter turbochargers are fitted and boost pressure is increased from to. The F01/F02 B7 marks the first time that BMW M and Alpina used the same type of forced-induction for their engines; Alpina's engine has less horsepower but more torque than the S63 variant used in the F10 M5.
The transmission is a ZF 6HP26 6-speed automatic with heavy-duty gears, and the B7 includes a strengthened drive shaft, differential and rear axles. The B7 also features a choice of regular or long-wheelbase and/or rear-wheel drive or xDrive.
In late 2012, the B7 received a mid-life update in line with other models of the 7 Series. The updated B7 was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August 2012 and went on-sale immediately thereafter. Power output increased to, and top speed increased to .
In North America, the BMW Alpina B7 is officially sold by BMW and have BMW VINs, whereas the Alpina B7 BiTurbo sold in Europe and Japan are sold as vehicles manufactured by Alpina.

Prince Albert II limousine

In 2011, a limited production version of BMW 7 Series limousines were supplied by BMW for the wedding of Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and Charlene Wittstock. The car was based on the 740Li.

Transmissions

The F01 was produced with the following transmissions:
All models from 2009 through 2012 include 6-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic function. 2013 and 2014, 8-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic function.

Model year changes

Most changes occur in September each year, when the changes for the following model year go into production, as is typical BMW practice. Therefore, the changes for 2009 represent the 2010 model year, for example:

2008

The F01 facelift models began production in July 2012 and were sold as the 2013 model year cars. The facelift models were unveiled at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and shown at the 2012 Monaco Yacht Show.
Changes include:
Pre-facelift styling
Post-facelift styling

Production

The 740i and 740Li made up 10% of overall 7 Series sales in the United States, while the 760Li had 2%.. In the United States, 70% of the 7 Series cars sold are the "L" long-wheelbase models.

Marketing

For the tenth anniversary of the Tate Modern, BMW provided Spanish artist Martí Anson with a 7 Series in which to chauffeur artists to the gallery, with the car parked in the gallery's Turbine Hall during the exhibition.
BMW Group Russia provided vehicles for opening night premieres for various plays at the Bolshoi Theatre from 2004. In 2011, twenty vehicles were provided for the re-opening of the theatre's historical stage.