Shouldn’t this be a 735?

Oh, that’s right… BMW’s numbering system doesn’t actually correlate to anything anymore.

next move , the 4 cylinder diesel 7 series will be called 1337d.

“In 740i or 740Li trim, the I6 will provide just 15 more hp and 30 more lb-ft over the turbocharged I6 engines found in the smaller 135i, 335i and 535i models.”

Just this alone will send away 99.9% of its potential buyers, who in their right mind would spend up to 3 times as much and get only 15 hp more…….. than a 135?!

Actually I would like to see the diesel twin turbo 6 in a 7 series… all that torque could be put to very good use.

RaineMan: Really? THAT’S what you chose to comment about? You’re clearly trying too hard to find criticism with this story, and it comes across as pathetic. How about making some sort of relevant statement concerning the CONTENT at hand, and what it means for BMW, the 7-Series, and the market segment as a whole? Jesus.

I think it’s a great idea to offer the TT I6 in the 7 Series, it makes perfect sense. It wasn’t long ago that full size luxury sedans were “making due” with 315 hp and 330 lb ft tq numbers and while the current 7 is indeed heavier than past luxury cars, people buying this 740i/LI aren’t going to be doing so in order to win drag races…those folks are going for the 750 or 760. The reality is that the TT I6 provides perfectly adequate performance for most people, and is a gem in all of the other BMW models…it lends well that it will provide good power in the 7 as well, while achieving better fuel economy and a more affordable price tag (not something to be undervalued in this recession economy).

Good look BMW, gotta appreciate thoughtful product planning like that. The TT I6 is too good of an engine to not be utilized as often as possible, too. My dad has a 335i coupe and it’s a real treat to drive, definitely a strong mill and comparable in low end grunt to the 4.4L V8 in my E39 540i.

BTW – specifically referring to RaineMain’s comment about the nomenclature not adding up to precise engine displacement – get over it.

This is great. Soon I’ll be able to tell everyone how I beat a 7-Series off the line in my ‘95 Neon.

pzimet apparently woke up on the wrong side of the BMW bed.

This I find interesting. I am not sure a $70,000 flagship model will do well with a TT I6. Even as good as the engine is this is not the best idea. I think most buyers will choose the 535 or even 550 over the 740 (which doesn’t make sense). The 740 was offered 2 generations ago as the V8 model. This will cause confusion to many people.

Try a hybrid instead. MB and Lexus have done in their flagship sedans, why not BMW too.

WHAAAAAAAT, I LOVE THE 4.4TT ENGINE IN THE 750 AND X6 5.0i !!!!! NOOOOOOOOOO
ONLY 315 HP AND 330TQ IN A 7 SERIES??? god damn gas prices and tree huggers

I woke up rather pleasantly this morning. The sun was shining.

There’s no such thing as waking up on the wrong side of the BMW bed…unless you’re stuck with a Z3 equipped with an automatic..

@Tornado GTI: BMW is already producing a hybrid 7, but it is aimed at performance, as hybrid systems tend to add extra cost, and thus, require a premium to recoup that cost. This is the way that Lexus (though not really MB) has gone. 7-buyers are educated, even if the demographic moves downward by $5-10 grand, and I’m sure they’ll be able to cope with the nomenclature change.

I, for one, welcome the option to purchase a 6 cylinder in a large-bodied saloon. I’m not saying I would, but I appreciate that BMW is making a wider range of engine options available. Remember folks, it was only one or two generations ago that 300hp was the benchmark for these large cruisers. I still have an old W140 S-class, pushing 315hp, and while it’s not fast, it has more than enough grunt for highway cruising. At the right price point, I think this car will do wonders for the 7’s volume, and make a pretty penny for BMW.

RWD is a different story, but after reading this and MB decision to downsize as well, why still question Acura decision to not offer a V8? It might be a nice move for Acura after all.

I kinda like this move, but I HATE how they name it the 740! They will never make a 740 like they did back in 2001!

@pzimet: What’s wrong with an automatic Z3? My mom has one and it is quite pleasant for a little roadster.

Ford can get 350 out of a twin-turbo engine and Nissan can get 320 out of an NA 6cyl, so I don’t see why Beemer, being the drivers brand, shouldn’t be getting 350+ horsepower for a much heavier car than either of those two.

And I’m tired of hearing everyone saying “so what, this won’t go on the dragstrips or race anytime soon”. What happened to performance sedans and SUV’s? Just because they are everyday cars it makes them more desirable and of course more fun to drive. And a Beemer… well, if you don’t know what they “used to be about”, then you don’t know much at all…

Stupid idea 20 years ago
Pretty smart now

I’d estimate 0-60 in 6.5
I think we can live with that
You won’t have to drive with a vail on
DrFill

who are you guys kidding, this will sell great with upper class soccer moms who couldn’t care less how much horsepower is in their BMW, all they want is to brag to the other soccer moms about how much better MPG their 7 series gets than their friends.

fine fine RaineMan, I’m sure they’re pleasant. I”ll give you that…I mean I can’t hate on the Z3’s handling or anything. I just don’t think that it should ever have come equipped with an auto (though there’s obviously a market for it)…but the reality is you don’t buy a BMW for pleasant, you buy a Lexus or a non-AMG Benz for pleasant.

It was hard to come up with a Bimmer I don’t like, so the Z3 auto was just a bad compromise…you caught me. .I almost said the last gen X5 3.0 with an auto, but even that has a smooth I6 and a nice ride. No, there’s really no bad side to the BMW bed, even in a base 328i with the auto…drove that a few months ago and still enjoyed the experience.

Imagine you’re grandparents, you want to give them a good gift, they’re old, you have money, a 740 suits good.

^my grandparents are way too old for 300 hp

maybe i can do an engine transplant with a Fiat 500, i take the amazingly fast fiat, they take the slow as hell freezing over 100hp 7 series.

Now if that package could come with manual 6 speed, we could start another Transporter

@jayjc08: Why are you tired of hearing that? It’s the truth. These cars don’t go to the drag strip. And nothing happened to performance SUVs and sedans. They’re still there. The only thing that’s changed is that there is a new, more economical, option. In Europe, one has always been able to enjoy the size, comfort, and luxury of a large-segment sedan, without having to pay the premium for an engine that they might never have used. It makes sense for the consumer, in terms of greater selection, and it makes business sense for BMW, in terms of volume. So why not? If you want a 760 with 500+ horsepower, go and buy one. I, and everyone else on this board will be jealous. But it’s not like they’re taking that option away from you, so why should it bother you?

It may be a “downgrade” in terms of prestige to go to a 6 cyl, but this will actually have a decent amount more power than the 2001 740 did with the V8. Granted it probably weighs more, but I dont think its a bad thing. Just wish the naming was accurate again..

I think this move is being made more to help BMW’s CAFE numbers than anything else. Next it will be a 4-cylinder option for the 1 & 3 series.

More choices are a good thing. The TTI6 engine moves my 535xi to 60 in 5.4, with another 15hp/30tq, the 740 should be around 6sec or under. Believe me, a lot of people that buy these cars don’t care about acceleration. (X5 3.0 is a slug).
If it’s a little cheaper, all the better too. The part I didn’t like is that the 740 won’t be available with idrive. We sell almost exclusively AWD models.

johnnycanuck: I imagine you could just as easily beat the top end 7 series off the line in your Neon. The rich old guy isn’t going to hear you revving your engine next to him at the stop light anyway. Once you get to a certain level of luxury car it just turns into bragging rights about what model number and how much the car actually cost. I’ll bet you could stick this TT I6 in a 7 series, just tell everyone it’s a V10 and half the buyers would be none the wiser. In fact tell them it’s a V10 electric hybrid and that’s why the mileage is better.

This will sit well with the nannies that take rich indulgence children to school

BAd124.. we all wish the naming could be accurate again.. but considering BMW is only producing ONE 6-cylinder engine in several different states of tune (3.0, 3.0 twin turbo and 3.0 turbodiesel) it would be pretty hard to distinguish if every 1-series and 3-series were named 130 and 330.

It amuses me that BMW is so worried about streamlining the naming schemes of some models, yet still produces other models that are called “X5 xdrive30i” and “Z4 sdrive35i.” What amouthful.