2013 BMW 7-series - Official Photos and Info - Car and Driver

If BMW’s philosophy for the 3-series is “the best sports sedan we can make,” the strategy for the 7-series may well be “just cram in everything we have. ” But it’s been a long four years since the current 7 was introduced, and in the meantime BMW has acquired, invested in, developed, built, or invented so much more, er, stuff. The 750i (and long-wheelbase 750Li) still use a twin-turbo 4. 4-liter V-8, but BMW has added Valvetronic—its variable valve timing and lift system—to this engine. It helps pump up output from last year’s 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque to 445 and 480. The six-cylinder 740i and 740Li models also were sent to the operating room, emerging with the newer version of BMW’s turbocharged inline-six underhood. Power and torque stay at 315 hp and 330 lb-ft, but BMW says it expects the single-turbo N55 engine to improve upon the fuel economy of the outgoing twin-turbo N54. BMW has replaced virtually every N54 in its lineup with the N55 during the past... Every 7-series model—yes, even the V-12 cars—now features an eight-speed automatic transmission in place of six-speed boxes. There are some other, less-headline-worthy upgrades: The eight- and six-cylinder cars now have standard stop-start systems to shut down the engine when the car is at a standstill. Source: www.caranddriver.com