BMW 7 Series

The E23 is the first generation 7 Series and was produced from 1977 to 1987. It was built in a 4-door sedan body style with 6-cylinder engines, to replace the E3 sedans. From 1983 to 1987, a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine was available in some markets.

The E23 introduced many electronic features for the first time in a BMW, including an onboard computer, a service interval indicator, a "check control panel" (warning lights to indicate system faults to the driver), a dictaphone, and complex climate control systems. It was also the first BMW to offer an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a driver's airbag, and double-link front suspension.

The E32 is the second generation of the 7 Series, which was produced from 1986 to 1994. It was initially available with a straight-six or V12 engine, the latter being Germany's first passenger car with a V12 since World War II. In 1992, V8 engines became available.

The E32 introduced the following features for the first time in a BMW: Electronic Damper Control,^[3] V12 and V8 engines, double glazing, the CAN bus electronic protocol,^[4] Xenon headlamps,^[5] traction control^[6] and dual-zone climate control.^[7] The E32 750i was the first car adhering to BMW's self-imposed speed limit of 250 km/h (155 mph).^[8] The 'iL' models were the first time that a long-wheelbase option was offered by BMW.

The E38 is the third generation of the 7 Series, which was produced from 1994 to 2001. The model range consisted of standard length and long wheelbase ("iL" models) sedans.

The petrol engines available consisted of straight-six, V8 and V12 engines. The E38 was the first 7 Series to be available with a diesel engine; initially, a turbocharged straight-six, which was joined by a twin-turbocharged V8 in 1999.

The E38 was the first car available with curtain airbags. It was also the first European car to offer satellite navigation^[9] and the first BMW to offer an in-built television.

In 1999, the model received a facelift.

The E65/E66/E67/E68 is the fourth generation 7 Series, which was produced from 2001 to 2008. The model range consisted of standard length and long wheelbase ("Li" models) sedans.

The E65/E66/E67/E68 was the first BMW to include iDrive, "flame-surfacing" exterior styling, active anti-roll bars, a 6-speed automatic transmission, an electronic smart Key (dispensing with the traditional metallic key) and night vision. The 760i model was the world's first production V12 engine to use direct injection.^[10][11]

The F01/F02/F03/F04 is the fifth-generation 7 Series, which was produced from 2008 to 2015. The model range consisted of standard length and long wheelbase ("Li" models) sedans.

The F01 was the first BMW to be available with a hybrid drivetrain ("ActiveHybrid 7"), 8-speed automatic transmission, and a turbocharged V12 engine. It was also the first 7 Series to be available with a turbocharged petrol engine and all-wheel drive (xDrive).

In 2013, the model received a minor styling facelift.

The G11/G12 is the sixth generation of the 7 Series, which has been in production since 2015. It was revealed on June 10, 2015, at BMW's headquarters in Munich.^[12] An official public reveal took place at the 2015 International Motor Show Germany.

G11 is the codename for the short-wheelbase model, the extended-wheelbase model is codenamed G12 and designated with an additional L letter.

The G11/G12 is the first car lineup of the BMW Group to be based on the modular OKL platform (Oberklasse, German for luxury class).^[13] The OKL platform adopts technology first introduced in BMW i models, namely the introduction of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer as structural chassis components.

As part of BMW's strategy of introducing plug-in hybrid variants for all future car models,^[14] both, the short and long-wheelbase models will be available with hybrid powertrains under the designations 740e and 740Le in 2016.^[15]

A facelift model appeared in 2019 which prominently features a larger grille.^[16]

The BMW 7 Series debuted in April 2022. It has an electric variant, the BMW i7, along with 6-cylinder 740i and V8 760i models. It adopts horizontally split headlight units featured on the X7 LCI which was also launched in April 2022.^[17] Engine options remain similar with 3.0-litre 6-cylinder and 4.4-litre V8 options but no V12 engines will be offered.^[18][19]

BMW i7

The BMW i7 is an electric variant to the BMW 7 Series, which was unveiled alongside it in April 2022.^[20] The i7 xDrive60 is powered by two electric motors generating a combined output of 536 hp (400 kW; 543 PS) and 553 lb⋅ft (750 N⋅m) of torque. It can accelerate 0-60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 4.5 seconds and EPA-range around 300–318 miles (483–512 km).^[21]

Sales of hybrid-powered 7 Series models in the United States are as follows:^{[45][46][47][48][49]}

• List of BMW vehicles

• Media related to BMW 7 Series at Wikimedia Commons