BMW: 7 Series as plug-in hybrid in the program 🎥
HIGHTECH With the current model revision, BMW is also introducing a new generation plug-in hybrid to the 7 Series. The purely electric range of the luxury sedan is now 50 kilometers and more. For the new model year, BMW is revamping the 7 Series and giving the sedan huge kidneys. "We listen to our markets," explains Carsten Gröber, vice president of product management for BMW luxury vehicles. What [...]
BMW is revamping the 7 Series for the new model year and giving the sedan huge kidneys.
"We listen to our markets," explains Carsten Gröber, vice president of product management for BMW luxury vehicles. What he means by this is evident in the current model's controversial front-end design: Just under half of the Seven Series was recently sold in Asia, so the desire of this increasingly important region for more visual presence of the vehicle on the road drove this concise change.
On request with 585 hp and 6.6-liter V12
BMW also consistently pursues its claim to luxury in the powertrain, as with the flagship in the form of the 6.6-liter V12 with 585 hp in the M760Li. Technically, however, the plug-in hybrid version in the 745Le is the true flagship. In addition to a more powerful high-voltage battery with 12 kWh capacity, the previous four-cylinder gasoline engine has been swapped for a three-liter inline six.
The gasoline engine and electric motor offer 394 hp of system output, which helps the car accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. The plug-in can travel 50 kilometers or more on electric power, and up to 140 km/h is possible purely under electric power. Incidentally, the system also uses the electric motor integrated in the 8-speed automatic transmission to dampen vibrations in the powertrain.
Only as long-wheelbase version with xDrive-AWD
As is usual with plug-in hybrids, the 745Le offers various drive options. A new feature is BMW's patented recognition of towns and city centers along a route and automatic switchover to electric driving there if desired.
In Switzerland, the 745Le is only available as a long-wheelbase version and, like all other engines, with xDrive AWD. Prices for the plug-in start at 136,800 Swiss francs, the cheapest diesel 730d costs from 113,300 Swiss francs, the twelve-cylinder from 212,800 Swiss francs.
