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      12-16-2009, 05:07 PM   #1
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Six for Seven. 740i makes its return to the USA now with 6-cylinder power

The 740i has traditionally been an 8-cylinder variant of the 7-series. But in this age of increasing horsepower and cylinders, BMWs top 7-series has risen up to become the 760i. This has left an opening in not only nomenclature but also in offerings available in the USA.

BMW has now thankfully decided to offer a 6-cylinder variant under the name 740i in the USA.

The idea behing this car is something called "virtual displacement". This is part of BMW's EfficientDynamics program. Whats this mean? Basicly, BMW is offering turbocharging on smaller displacement engines in order to put out similar power to larger displacement engines. This seems to be an ideal fit with the 7 series BMW.

The 2011 BMW 740i and 740Li will feature BMW's twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine (315 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 330 lb-ft of torque from 1600-4500 rpm).

Here is the official press release

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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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      12-17-2009, 06:38 AM   #2
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After talking with Alanna Bahri, Manager of 6 & 7 Series vehicles in the US it was obvious that this car was originally designed for the US market. It can be equipped with all the options (minus xDrive) of a 750i with improved fuel efficiency and better weight distribution.

Pricing will begin around $70k and have different 18" wheels and other slight equipment variations, like comfort seats not being standard.

I bet we will begin to see a lot of debadged 7s running around this March because without the badge most would be unable to tell since the exhaust will also look the same!


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      12-17-2009, 07:47 AM   #3
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It's a great idea.... although it sure sounds like BMW is attempting to take the credit for inventing the concept of "forced induction."

Yes, BMW, we know what turbochargers are.
The 740 has been sold in Europe for some time now, but they never had to use the term "virtual displacement" over there.

I think they're trying to dumb it down for ignorant US buyers who only look at how big an engine is before they buy a car-- but are any of those people actually buying a 7 series??
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      12-17-2009, 08:13 AM   #4
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Ha! That's the best piece of marketing zulu I've seen in quite a while. I guess 735iL just wouldn't cut it.

Does this mean that tech sheets will have to list the 'virtual displacement' of the engine instead of the actual physical characteristics? Will we need the SAE to issue standard 'virtual displacement' measurements/substutions? I imagine this will send quite the ripple through the automotive world.
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      12-17-2009, 08:44 AM   #5
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Huh. Two things I'm wondering about:

1) It sounds like this will be the N54 and not the N55. That's strange because I thought the N54 was pretty much on its way out, to be replaced by the twin-scroll single-turbocharged N55.

2) They're calling it the 740i, whereas the 3 series and 5 series with this engine are called x35i. Makes me wonder if the upcoming 3 series refresh (to include the coupe's LCI) will coincide with a change to the 340i designation. I doubt that will happen, but you've gotta wonder what BMW is thinking here...
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      12-17-2009, 09:08 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BCA View Post
2) They're calling it the 740i, whereas the 3 series and 5 series with this engine are called x35i. Makes me wonder if the upcoming 3 series refresh (to include the coupe's LCI) will coincide with a change to the 340i designation. I doubt that will happen, but you've gotta wonder what BMW is thinking here...

The 740i (today) has different engine tuning to get more power... I think it's the same tune now offered in the performance power kit for the other n54 models.

Maybe I'll get the PPK for my 1-er, then I can put a 140i badge on the back!

Better yet, a JB3 will get me even more virtual liters of displacement. What would that be.... a 150i? 160i?
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      12-17-2009, 09:57 AM   #7
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i like the idea of yjr N54 getting popular on the entire BMW lineup. In the end it will mean more spare engines in the used market which in turn allows us to push the limits on the N54 since replacements will be cheaper.

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      12-17-2009, 10:10 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thud View Post
The 740i (today) has different engine tuning to get more power... I think it's the same tune now offered in the performance power kit for the other n54 models.

Maybe I'll get the PPK for my 1-er, then I can put a 140i badge on the back!

Better yet, a JB3 will get me even more virtual liters of displacement. What would that be.... a 150i? 160i?
i working my way up on my 135 as well--in terms of virtual displacement i should be at least 195i by the next few months. how bout a digital model panel so i don't have to keep ripping of the emblem ??

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      12-17-2009, 11:49 AM   #9
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Debadgin/rebadging... reminds me of the Entourage episode where Ari rebadged the Mercedes for his wife.
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      12-17-2009, 11:57 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vertigo//SD View Post
Debadgin/rebadging... reminds me of the Entourage episode where Ari rebadged the Mercedes for his wife.
Hahaha. and thanks for reminding me how much I miss that show!
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      12-17-2009, 12:31 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rock1t View Post
i working my way up on my 135 as well--in terms of virtual displacement i should be at least 195i by the next few months. how bout a digital model panel so i don't have to keep ripping of the emblem ??

BMW has been doing "virtual displacement" for quite awhile actually, so i don't know why it's just starting to stir things up. you bought a 135i and "technically" it's a 130i. the 328i is technically a 330i, same with the 128i and the 528i. also, the 323i is technically a 325i.

they've been doing it for awhile and it makes sense. prob just the wording of "virtual displacement" tickled you in the right places and got you giggling!

Cheers!
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      12-17-2009, 02:10 PM   #12
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OH YEAH!

I like this idea and this is exactly what I am looknig for:
big car configuration with great MPG!

Most of people spend at least 2 hours in traffic daily in cities like L.A.,
and you can't really dirve over 100 mph on freeway even if you have
a V8 with 400+, which is useless most of time, yes I said useless*.
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      12-17-2009, 02:57 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sufu View Post
OH YEAH!

I like this idea and this is exactly what I am looknig for:
big car configuration with great MPG!

Most of people spend at least 2 hours in traffic daily in cities like L.A.,
and you can't really dirve over 100 mph on freeway even if you have
a V8 with 400+, which is useless most of time, yes I said useless*.
A JB3 I6TT 7 will be awesome. Hopefully the JB3 works on the 7's engine.
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      12-17-2009, 05:53 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BCA View Post
Huh. Two things I'm wondering about:

1) It sounds like this will be the N54 and not the N55. That's strange because I thought the N54 was pretty much on its way out, to be replaced by the twin-scroll single-turbocharged N55.


2) They're calling it the 740i, whereas the 3 series and 5 series with this engine are called x35i. Makes me wonder if the upcoming 3 series refresh (to include the coupe's LCI) will coincide with a change to the 340i designation. I doubt that will happen, but you've gotta wonder what BMW is thinking here...
1) The N54 is NOT going away soon- it has been said a thousand times. It will be here quite some time. There are more models with it to come.

2) The 740i has a higher output than the standard N54 and that is why it is not a 735i- there are differences.

When the performance model of the 3 Series comes it will be "si" as well like the Z4.

BMW is not thinking anything wrong- you just are confused.
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      12-17-2009, 07:55 PM   #15
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I must be the only one that wants a 740. Lets see, a vehicle like that would be leased....for 2yrs or 3yrs, the price would drop down to around the $40k mark, and thats when I move 'in" for the kill............
I would love to have a 740 with the N54 motor..........just jb3 and i'll be (my nick name) chilling da most!
very nice luxo balanced cruser
Now, i can only dream of a 740 with a 6 speed manual
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      12-18-2009, 01:18 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sufu View Post
OH YEAH!

I like this idea and this is exactly what I am looknig for:
big car configuration with great MPG!

Most of people spend at least 2 hours in traffic daily in cities like L.A.,
and you can't really dirve over 100 mph on freeway even if you have
a V8 with 400+, which is useless most of time, yes I said useless*.
Start praying you get the diesel. Real life 36 mpg imperial even with a heavy foot!
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      12-18-2009, 08:15 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by italy430 View Post
BMW has been doing "virtual displacement" for quite awhile actually, so i don't know why it's just starting to stir things up. you bought a 135i and "technically" it's a 130i. the 328i is technically a 330i, same with the 128i and the 528i. also, the 323i is technically a 325i.

they've been doing it for awhile and it makes sense. prob just the wording of "virtual displacement" tickled you in the right places and got you giggling!

Cheers!
Calling a 3.0L turbo a "335" can kinda sorta make sense in that regard. The turbos get you that, uhhh, extra 0.5L of "virtual displacement."

But then what about the 328? By that designation it sounds like "negative virtual displacement" and it's essentially a crippled engine. Why not have a 330i and 335i instead? It no make sense!!
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      12-19-2009, 08:05 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cuz5150 View Post
I must be the only one that wants a 740. Lets see, a vehicle like that would be leased....for 2yrs or 3yrs, the price would drop down to around the $40k mark, and thats when I move 'in" for the kill............
I would love to have a 740 with the N54 motor..........just jb3 and i'll be (my nick name) chilling da most!
very nice luxo balanced cruser
Now, i can only dream of a 740 with a 6 speed manual
+1. Perfect family cruiser - wife will ride in a 7 series and I'll JB3 it so it doesn't feel like a Cadillac. Can't wait until these can be leased slightly used exec or early trade-ins.
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      12-19-2009, 08:04 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thud View Post
I think they're trying to dumb it down for ignorant US buyers who only look at how big an engine is before they buy a car-- but are any of those people actually buying a 7 series??
Say what again. . .?!

Yes, I almost forgot, it’s a well known fact that even the potential of being born in Europe dynamically alters an unborn child’s genes such that it is more intelligent at birth, even to the same parents having children in either continent.

Example: A mother with unborn child flying across the Atlantic from the US to Europe, and as she approaches her delivery time on that side of the pond, the unborn child’s genetic structure governing its brain cells is dynamically rearranged to give the child an IQ boost of at least 20 points. That’s why all the math prodigies come from Europe. It’s a fact. . .
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      12-19-2009, 10:03 PM   #20
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That was funny!

+1
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      12-20-2009, 05:04 PM   #21
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i think it is a bad idea. I would still prefer V8ter over 6 cylinder TT. Has anyone driven a 535 recently? I didn't care for it. THe car felt too heavy for that motor. And now, we are taking the same motor-with increased 15 hp, Big deal-and placing it in the 7 series! BMW is aiming for that person "oh, I must drive a 7 series, and I can't afford it".
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      12-20-2009, 05:47 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eatrach73 View Post
i think it is a bad idea. I would still prefer V8ter over 6 cylinder TT. Has anyone driven a 535 recently? I didn't care for it. THe car felt too heavy for that motor. And now, we are taking the same motor-with increased 15 hp, Big deal-and placing it in the 7 series! BMW is aiming for that person "oh, I must drive a 7 series, and I can't afford it".
i drive a 740Li, havent driven the 750 but i cant justify a $20k price premium here with the same amount of equipment. Besides, my 740 does 0-60 in 6secs.

it doesnt mean if one drives a 740, he can barely afford the 7, the analogy applies to those with 750s then that they cant afford the 760 and so on....

case in point, a 740Li in the Philippines retails for US$211,000 excluding insurance+registration.
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