Innovation and Breakthroughs! The Road to the BMW 7 Series

1978-1987: The first generation? BMW 7 Series (E23)

BMW introduced the original 7 Series in 1977 to replace the previous Bavaria large four-door sedan, which shared the E3 platform with the sporty 3.0?CSI coupe***. If the Bavaria at the time was a relic of the 1960s, the 7 Series was a huge step up, meant to compete directly with Mercedes' S-Class and Jaguar's XJ executive sedan. In the U.S., the 733i was a 1978 model, and its 3.2-liter fuel-injected inline-six produced 177 horsepower, which was explosive at the time. Later models used a turbocharged inline-six for even more power. The first 7 Series came standard with a four-speed manual transmission; impressive technology for the time, with a then-advanced self-checking system, automatic climate control, and a trip computer. With its sharp shark-nose styling, the first 7 Series was a true classic. Although sales figures did not reflect great success, the first-generation 7 Series was sold in the U.S. market until 1987.

1988-1994: Second-Generation BMW 7-Series (E32)

BMW brought an all-new, Ercole?Spada-designed 7-Series to the U.S. market at the end of 1987, even though the car had been unveiled in Europe a year earlier. The second-generation 7-Series was a big step forward compared to its first generation, and with its handsome, modernized styling, it would see the big Bimmer into the '90s. While BMW's venerable M30?3.5-liter inline-six appeared in the base 735i, the second-generation 7-Series also featured a new 300-horsepower, 5.0-liter V12 in the 750iL, an all-new, long-wheelbase model that offered rear-seat passengers nearly five inches of additional legroom.A mid-cycle update around 1991 brought updated xenon headlights, a new 4.0 liter V8 engine and a five-speed ZF automatic transmission; on some models, a five-speed manual gearbox remained available.

1995-2001: Third-generation BMW 7 Series (E38)

If the second-generation 7 Series was a success, the third-generation car, which arrived in 1995, stood on the shoulders of giants. While the styling changes could be considered evolutionary, the changes underneath were even more impressive. The unibody chassis used in the third-generation BMW 7 Series was 70 percent stiffer than cars of the same era, and the redesigned suspension featured aluminum and a new multi-link rear suspension. As a result, this 7 Series is light years ahead of its predecessor in terms of handling, comfort and performance.The 740i, equipped with the previous 4.0-liter V8 now rated at 282 hp, is the last 7 Series to feature a conventional manual six-speed transmission.The 750i is still available in both long and short wheelbases, and the 5.4-liter engine produces 322 hp; and it is the first 7 Series to offer stability control and satellite navigation, and it was also the first to be available with an optional diesel engine. By the way, movie buffs will remember James Bond remotely driving the 750iL from the back seat in Tomorrow Never Dies.

2002-2008: 4th Generation BMW 7-Series (E65)

If there's one reason the fourth-generation BMW 7-Series is best known, it's the controversial styling of Chris?Bangle, BMW's design director at the time.The 2002 E65?7-Series was certainly not as svelte and elegant as the model it replaced, but it had a lot to offer in terms of comfort, luxury features, and size is another step forward. Two inches longer and taller than the outgoing model, this 7 Series was also the first to introduce BMW's iDrive infotainment system, with its game-changing rotary control dial. At launch, the 745i had a 325-horsepower 4.4-liter V8 with variable valve timing under the hood, while the 760i had a new 6.0-liter V12 producing 438 hp.

For 2003, the 750i replaced the 740i with a 360-horsepower, 4.8-liter V8.

2009-2015: fifth-generation BMW 7-Series (F01)

The all-new fifth-generation BMW 7-Series for 2009 featured a new design that, while not as controversial as its predecessor, was considered by many to be somewhat bland. Again, dimensions have been increased, two wheelbases are offered, and the main engine range is a mix of the new twin-turbo V8 and V12 model lines. BMW 750i models get a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 with 402-444 hp depending on the model year, while the twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12-powered 760i is rated at 536 hp.

2016-present: sixth-generation BMW 7-Series (G11)

The sixth-generation BMW 7-Series was introduced in 2016, with the main upgrade being a new carbon fiber chassis that pulls more than 100 pounds of weight down while increasing torsional rigidity. The sixth-generation 7 Series is powered by two engines: a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 330 hp, and a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 445 hp (later upgraded to 523 hp.) For 2017, BMW Motorrad unveiled a new plug-in hybrid version dubbed the 740e, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel paired with an electric motor for a total of 326 horsepower. Then, for the truly power-hungry, the 2017 M760i introduces a 601-horsepower twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V12; an eight-speed automatic transmission, a choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive (the latter is standard on V12-powered cars), and active lane-keeping cruise control at up to 130 mph are noteworthy features.

This article originated from the authors of the Motorhome Carrera and does not represent the views of Motorhome Carrera.