BMW 7 Series (E38)
| BMW 7-Series (E38) | |
|---|---|
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|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | BMW |
| Production | 1994–2001 340,242 built |
| Assembly | Dingolfing, Germany |
| Designer | Boyke Boyer (1990, 1991) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury car (F) |
| Body style | 4-door sedan/saloon 4-door extended sedan/saloon 4-door limousine |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 6-speed manual 5-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase |
SWB: 2,930 mm (115.4 in) LWB: 3,070 mm (121 in) L7: 3,320 mm (131 in) |
| Length |
SWB: 4,984 mm (196.2 in) LWB: 5,124 mm (201.7 in) L7: 5,378 mm (211.7 in) |
| Width | 1,862 mm (73.3 in) |
| Height |
SWB: 1,425 mm (56.1 in) LWB: 1,435 mm (56.5 in) |
| Curb weight |
728i: 1,710 kg (3,770 lb) 728i: 1,740 kg (3,840 lb) (auto) 730i: 1,725 kg (3,803 lb) 730i: 1,755 kg (3,869 lb) (auto) 735i: 1,745 kg (3,847 lb) 735i: 1,810 kg (3,990 lb) (auto) 740i: 1,850 kg (4,080 lb) 740i: 1,930 kg (4,250 lb) (US) 750i: 1,960 kg (4,320 lb) 730d: 1,830 kg (4,030 lb) 740d: 1,960 kg (4,320 lb) 728iL: 1,765 kg (3,891 lb) 730iL: 1,750 kg (3,860 lb) 730iL: 1,780 kg (3,920 lb) (auto) 735iL: 1,845 kg (4,068 lb) 740iL: 1,890 kg (4,170 lb) 740iL: 1,945 kg (4,288 lb) (US) 750iL: 1,995 kg (4,398 lb) 750iL: 2,085 kg (4,597 lb) (US) L7: 2,270 kg (5,000 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | BMW E32 |
| Successor | BMW E65 |
The BMW E38 model was the basis for the 1995 through 2001 BMW 7 Series automobiles. In early 1988, development began on the third generation 7-series codenamed "Entwicklung 99". From 1989 to 1990 styling work was done initially under design director Claus Luthe (through April 1990), when Boyke Boyer's concept design was chosen and further refined into production form with engineers. In February 1991, the final production design for the new 7-series was approved by the board 36 months ahead of 1994 production. On April 27, 1993 German design patents were filed featuring a pre-production prototype as a design representation. Patents were later filed on October 27, 1993 in the United States. Production started on July 23, 1993 on pilot production models and US specification variants on January 13, 1994, with series production commencing on February 17, 1994 and US-specification in the second half of the year. In May 1994, the 1995 model year E38 BMW 7-Series was unveiled.
Some E38 models including 728i 730i 735i 740i were offered with either a five-speed automatic or manual (Manual transmissions were not offered in North America), the 730d, 740d, 740i/iL, and 750i/iL had a 5-speed ZF automatic standard. In the Americas, the models were sold as the 740i, 740iL and 750iL. The 740i/iL were initially powered by a 4.0 L engine, then a 4.4 L V8 engine. The base prices in 2001 were US$62,900 for the 740i, US$66,900 for the 740iL and US$92,100 for the 750iL. The considerably rarer 5.4 L V12 was BMW's flagship vehicle, with a 5.4 L 322 bhp (240 kW; 326 PS) engine, also shared by the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph. Some I6 and all the V8 and V12 cars had long-wheelbase variants, with the "L" added to the designation. A rare executive long-wheelbase limousine model was also produced, called the BMW L7, available only with a 5.4 L V12. Protection Line light-armored vehicles were built from 2000–2001, again utilizing the 740iL and 750iL platforms, and cost US$99,100 and US$124,400, respectively. These models included body armor, bullet-resistant glass and run-flat tires. A High-Security version with even further protection was also available in Europe, known internally as the 750iL S.
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