2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7

Following the launch of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will be a hybrid version of the 7 Series luxury sedan, which will go on sale in the spring of 2010. Unlike the X6’s full hybrid setup, the ActiveHybrid 7 will feature a mild hybrid system. That means the efficiency gains are smaller, but BMW says there will still be a 15% gain in fuel economy. The 750i gets 17 mpg, so the hybrid should bump that to 19 or 20 mpg. It will also feature an auto start-stop function that will shut the engine off when at a standing stop. The company will offer both a standard version and a long-wheelbase model of the ActiveHybrid 7. There are also specially designed wheels that add some aerodynamic efficiency.

Of course, buyers of this car — the 750i starts at $80,300 — likely won’t care about the efficiency of the ActiveHybrid, which makes us wonder why it needs to exist. While the ActiveHybrid X6 will be the most powerful hybrid on the market and is aimed at driving enthusiasts, the 7 isn’t the same package. Sure, BMW says it’ll put out 455 hp and 516 pounds-feet of torque, but no one is thrashing a 7 Series with regularity. Instead, the ActiveHybrid 7 will top the lineup in price and will likely be more of a status symbol.

More photos below.

2010 BMW 7 Series Gains AWD, M Sport Package

With Audi's A8 featuring Quattro and Mercedes-Benz's S550 available with 4Matic, BMW's 7 Series had been the lone all-wheel-drive holdout among full-size German luxury sedans. That will change for the 2010 model year, when xDrive all-wheel-drive editions of the 750i and long-wheelbase 750Li join the current rear-drive lineup. All-wheel-drive models hit dealerships this fall. Pricing information hasn't been released.

BMW says xDrive, which is available on models like the 3 Series and 5 Series, gains improvements aimed at driving dynamics. The system can route up to 80% of engine torque to the rear wheels, and it can also selectively apply the rear brakes for the benefit of handling performance.

In addition, a new M Sport Package lifts certain features from BMW's M performance division, like an M steering wheel, and also adds performance features, like BMW's Active Roll Stabilization, on rear-drive models. Additional features include a special body kit and 19-inch wheels with performance tires. Twenty-inch wheels are optional.

2009|BMW|7 Series

2010|BMW|7 Series

New V-12 Engine Powers 2010 BMW 760Li

We recently reviewed BMW's V-8-powered 750i luxury sedan, but for those looking for more power and luxury — and willing to spend more money — BMW offers a V-12 version, the 2010 760Li, which receives the same platform updates as the redesigned 750i but features a new V-12 engine that pairs with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Pricing information hasn't been released, but expect its starting price to be somewhere near the outgoing 760Li's $124,100 base price. It hits dealerships this fall.

Like the V-8 in the 750i and 750Li, the 6.0-liter V-12 in the 760Li features twin turbochargers. The V-12's preliminary specifications are 544 hp and 553 pounds-feet of torque, and BMW says the car can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds, which is more than a half-second quicker than the 750Li. Gas mileage estimates haven't been released yet. The sedan is also equipped with a self-leveling rear suspension.

V-12 sedans are only offered in long-wheelbase Li form, which adds 5.5 inches to the sedan's wheelbase for more backseat room. Subtle exterior changes distinguish the 760Li from its V-8 sibling, like more slats in the twin-kidney grille, V-12 badges on the front doors and unique exhaust outlets. Interior features include illuminated doorsills, Nappa leather around the instruments, and Alcantara material for the headliner and sun visors.

Having driven the 750i, I can say that the car is plenty quick with its 400-hp V-8. That said, the 760Li is less about improved performance — though that comes with the package — than it is about extravagant transportation. When you're going up against models like the Audi A8 L W12 and Mercedes-Benz S600, it's what you have to do to be competitive.

2009 BMW 750i Video Review

Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley gets behind the wheel of the 2009 BMW 750i in this video review. The new 7 Series sedan comes chock-full of technology features, a lush interior and seats that will outright pamper you. Really, there’s only one major question that needs to be answered: How well does it stack up to Mercedes-Benz’s S-Class?

2009 BMW 7 Series Video

BMW hopes the 2009 7 Series will upend competition from Mercedes-Benz and Lexus with better performance and luxury perks. In this video, Cars.com’s Kelsey Mays proves he’s around to do more than make bad automotive jokes; here, he explains where the 7 Series is a cut above and where he finds it lacking. Oh, and he also manages to get in a few bad jokes.

More Details on BMW Hybrids

BMW’s X6 and 7 Series hybrids, which debuted in concept form at last November’s L.A. auto show, will likely arrive late this year and in early 2010, respectively. Do we need hybrid versions of leather-lined luxury cars? That's debatable, but Lexus and Mercedes are forging ahead with ‘em, so why not BMW, too? At yesterday’s Washington, D.C., auto show, we learned a few more details on both.

The X6 hybrid is a “full” hybrid, using the two-mode technology co-developed by BMW, Chrysler, Mercedes and GM. That means it can scoot on electric power, gasoline power or a combination of the two. And scoot it will — the powertrain works with the X6 xDrive50i’s 4.4-liter, turbocharged V-8. BMW VP of engineering Tom Baloga said to expect 20% better overall gas mileage, so combined city/highway gas mileage should work out to 18 mpg, versus the gas-only model’s 15 mpg. Compare that to the Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec (20 mpg) and new Volkswagen Touareg 2 V-6 TDI (estimated low 20s). We should note that both are diesels, and as of yesterday diesel fuel was about 29 cents — 14% — more per gallon than premium unleaded. (What’s more, if you’re looking for top mileage among luxury SUVs, the less-expensive 2010 Lexus RX 450h should get a combined 27 mpg with AWD.) The X6 Hybrid should also be fast as stink.

2008 L.A. Auto Show: BMW 7 Series, X6 Hybrid Concepts

• Looks like: BMW wants in on the hybrid halo
• Defining characteristics: Huge turbocharged V-8 engines, tiny electric motors
• Ridiculous features: 400-hp V-8 in a hybrid
• Chance of being mass-produced: We’re not sure if there’s a market for super-powerful hybrids, and BMW hasn’t hit home runs with recent new models

Riddle me this: What's one hybrid the world does not need right now? An uber-luxury sedan. A bonus no-go would be a hybrid performance SUV. Yet those are the two hybrid concepts BMW is showing in L.A.

The recently redesigned 7 Series and the X6 SUV both sport the same powertrain, a 400-hp, turbocharged V-8 engine teamed to a mild hybrid system. The result? 15% better fuel economy. Compared to a turbo X6, which gets 12/18 mpg city/highway, a 15% improvement would be roughly 14/21 mpg. Not exactly in the running for green car of the year, is it?

The hybrid system does use advanced lithium-ion batteries and an engine-stop function that kills the gas engine at stops to conserve fuel.

Neiman Marcus Shoppers Get Early Shot at 2009 BMW 750

BMW’s new 7 Series will hit the U.S. in early 2009, but wealthy Neiman Marcus shoppers will get a shot at buying a special edition version this month. Every year the department store releases its Christmas Book catalog containing expensive gifts for good boys and girls with deep pockets, and there’s usually an automotive selection or two.

Those who buy the 2009 750Li in this year’s Book will get one of only 31 made, to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the 7 Series. It’ll come in a special iridescent Diopside Black metallic paint, with Champagne leather seating with contrasting piping and trim pieces. It also comes with a custom steering wheel. Otherwise, it’s completely loaded with option packages that would bring a current 750 Li just over the $100,000 mark.

This can be yours for a mere $160,000. Wait — isn’t that too much? While prices for the 2009 7 Series haven’t been released yet, a big chunk of the Neiman Marcus bill goes to a trip to Germany to take delivery, as well as a lavish vacation driving the car through the French Riviera before having it shipped back to the U.S.

More BMW 7 Series News

BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid

It seems luxury automakers dig hybrids, but only for their flagships. Following Mercedes’ S400 hybrid, BMW has announced a new concept — to be displayed at the upcoming Paris Motor Show — that drops a hybrid powertrain jointly designed with Mercedes into its recently refreshed 7 Series sedan. 

While the Mercedes-Benz S400 has a smaller engine and gets nearly 30 mpg, the 7 Series ActiveHybrid has a V-8 under its hood that’s teamed with a mild hybrid system to return — get this — 15% better fuel economy. The current 750 gets a combined 18 mpg, so a 15% improvement would bring that up to 20.7 mpg. The price tag would be high for such a hybrid, so we assume fuel savings isn’t the primary goal of the 7 Series ActiveHybrid.

At the same time, though, we wonder why BMW isn’t trying to make a hybrid 1 or 3 Series.

Car buffs, however, might find this an intriguing option, as the V-8 also gets a twin turbocharger, and its total power when teamed to the electric motor is 427 hp and 597 pounds-feet of torque. The hybrid batteries are lithium ion.

We’d guess BMW will bring this to market at least in Europe. Mercedes has already said it will sell its S400 hybrid in both Europe and the U.S. in 2009.

2008 BMW Models Get 0.9% Financing

The 2009 BMWs are on the way, and it’s time to get rid of the 2008s. Yep, BMW has model-year-end sales too, they just use fancy terms, like 0.9% financing, to promote them. Through Sept. 2, all 2008 BMW models — besides the X6, M3 and M5 — will be eligible for 0.9% financing for qualified buyers. What does that mean?

The current average loan rate is 6.78%, so say you want to finance a base 328i sedan, which starts at $32,700, over four years. Putting nothing down on the car (and let’s keep tax out of the equation), your monthly payment would be $779.70. That’s a lot of money for a 3 Series; in the end you’d wind up paying $37,426 with all the interest included.

Lower the rate to 0.9% and your monthly payment drops to $693.84, with total cost over the term of $33,304. So BMW is basically offering a $4,000 discount here. The math is rudimentary, but 0.9% is a good deal on any car, let alone a BMW. Oh, and because the 328i is one of the most affordable BMWs on the lot, the savings only go up as you move up through the model range.

BMW Financing Offers (BMW USA)

Related
2009 BMW 3 Series: New Look, U.S. Diesel Confirmed (KickingTires)