BMW 7 Series (E65)

E65 is the internal model designation for the 7 Series full-size luxury sedan produced by BMW from 2001 to 2008. Development started in early 1996 and was finalised in mid-2001. The car was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2001, and was launched in Europe on November 17, 2001. It first appeared in the USA and other markets in the spring of 2002, succeeding the replaced BMW E38. Although previous generations of the 7 Series had long-wheelbase and protection variants, the E65 was the first iteration to use specific chassis codes for each version. E65 was the designation of the short-wheelbase version of the automobile, E66 of the long-wheelbase version, E67 of the bulletproof version and E68 of the hydrogen version.
The E65 generated much controversy, due to its radical styling and iDrive user difficulties, so customers rushed to purchase its predecessor, the E38, before new E38s ran out of stock. Nonetheless, the E65 broke records to become the best-selling 7-series iteration ever, especially after its 2005 facelift.
It was replaced in 2008 by the F01.

Manufacturer	BMW
Production	2001 - 2008
Assembly	Dingolfing, Germany Rayong, Thailand Cairo, Egypt Toluca, Mexico Kaliningrad, Russia
Predecessor	BMW E38
Successor	BMW F01 BMW F02
Engine	petrol 3.0 I6 3.6 V8 4.0 V8 4.4 V8 4.8 V8 6.0 V12 diesel 3.0 I6 3.0 I6 4.0 V8 4.4 V8
Transmission	automatic 5-speed 6-speed
Wheelbase	2,990 mm (117.7 in) (SWB) 3,129 mm (123.2 in) (LWB)
Length	5,029 mm (198.0 in) (2002-05 E65) 5,169 mm (203.5 in) (2002-05 E66) 5,039 mm (198.4 in) (2006-09 E65) 5,179 mm (203.9 in) (2006-09 E66)
Width	1,902 mm (74.9 in)
Height	1,491 mm (58.7 in) 1,483 mm (58.4 in) (2006-09 LWB) 1,476 mm (58.1 in) (Alpina B7)
Designer(s)	Adrian van Hooydonk (1999)

Overview

The interior of the BMW E65 with iDrive

The arrival of E65 7-Series heralded a new styling era for BMW with the work of chief designerChris Bangle, as its sheetmetal contrasted drastically with the BMW's previous conservative styling. In particular, the E65's two-level rear end styling that features separate rear fenders with a "bustle-back" boot lid was derisively known as the "Bangle Butt" by critics. In fact, van Hooydonk's original 1998 sketch for the E65 was much more radical sleek fastback, but the final E65 profile was toned down considerably to a more conventional three-box sedan. The final design was approved in 1998 and production specifications frozen in January 1999, with the German patent being filed on November 16, 2000. After controversy surrounding its exterior design following its introduction in July 2001 and throughout 2002, external updates were developed up to 2003 and introduced to the market in January 2005, going on sale that March.
Early production E65s were fraught with problems, the vast majority of which were caused by functionality issues of iDrive. BMW repurchased a substantial number of 2002 and 2003 7 series cars in the USA. Subsequent software updates have largely cured these issues. Furthermore, BMW of North America extended the factory warranty on all 2002 and 2003 model year 7 series cars sold in the USA to 6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km) from the original 4-year or 50,000-mile (80,000 km) coverage. The UK however was only covered by the standard 3 yr/unlimited mileage warranty on this model.
The E65/E66 were the only BMW cars that are available with the top of the line engines; the 6.0 litre V12 petrol (N73) and 4.4 litre V8turbodiesel (M67D44), badged as the 760i/Li and 745d/Ld, respectively.

Model lineup

The E65 front side before facelift	The E65 rear side before facelift
The E65 front side after facelift	The E65 rear side after facelift

Model	Model Year	Engine	Power	E65 Sedan	E66 LWB
730d	2002–2004	M57TUD30 I6	214 bhp (160 kW; 217 PS)	✓
730d	2005–2008	M57TU2D30 I6	227 bhp (169 kW; 230 PS)	✓
730i	2004–2008	N52B30 I6	254 bhp (189 kW; 258 PS)	✓
730Ld	2002–2004	M57TUD30 I6	214 bhp (160 kW; 217 PS)		✓
730Ld	2005–2008	M57TU2D30 I6	227 bhp (169 kW; 230 PS)		✓
730Li	2004–2008	N52B30 I6	254 bhp (189 kW; 258 PS)		✓
735i	2002–2003	N62B36 V8	268 bhp (200 kW; 272 PS)	✓
735Li	2002–2003	N62B36 V8	268 bhp (200 kW; 272 PS)		✓
740i	2002–2008	N62B40 V8	301 bhp (224 kW; 305 PS)	✓
740Li	2002–2008	N62B40 V8	301 bhp (224 kW; 305 PS)		✓
740d	2002–2005	M67TUD40 V8	258 bhp (192 kW; 262 PS)	✓
745d	2005–2008	M67D44 V8	330 bhp (246 kW; 335 PS)	✓
745i	2002–2006	N62B44 V8	328 bhp (245 kW; 333 PS)	✓
745Li	2002–2006	N62B44 V8	328 bhp (245 kW; 333 PS)		✓
750i	2006–2008	N62B48 V8	361 bhp (269 kW; 366 PS)	✓
750Li	2006–2008	N62B48 V8	361 bhp (269 kW; 366 PS)		✓
760i	2002–2006	N73B60 V12	431 bhp (321 kW; 437 PS)	✓
760Li	2002–2008	N73B60 V12	431 bhp (321 kW; 437 PS)		✓

Alpina B7

There is no BMW M version 7 Series, as BMW did not want it to be powered by a high-revving engine like the rest of the M lineup. However, Alpina was permitted to produce a high-performance version Known as the Alpina B7, based on the short wheelbase BMW 750i. The B7 is built at the same assembly line in Dingolfing, Germany, regularly alongside BMW's 7 Series.
Compared to the BMW 760Li's naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 Deemed Which was too heavy to have a sporty offshoot, the B7 uses a supercharged version of the 4.4-liter V8 found in the BMW 750i/Li. The centrifugal supercharger delivers 11.6 psi (0.8 bar) of intercooled boost, and the engine has lower-compression-ratio pistons as well as a stronger crankshaft and connecting rods. The output is 500 hp (373 kW) and 516 lbft (700 Nm) of torque.
The Alpina B7 was Widely credited with being Able to hold its own against top performing offerings from Mercedes (including AMG): such as the S600 and S63 AMG, Audi A8L W12 quattro and 5.2 FSI quattro S8, the Bentley Flying Spur, and Jaguar XJ Super V8, while BMW's own flagship BMW 760Li was Considered uncompetitive. Car and Driver remarked, "How's this for thrust? The B7 ties the Audi R8, que is 1,100 pounds (500 kg) lighter, at 12.8 seconds through the quarter-mile, at Which point the gargantuan Alpina starts pulling away. The 551 hp (411 kW) Bentley Flying Spur can not keep up, and Audi's 450 hp (336 kW) S8 is so much slower it's hardly worth Mentioning. To 97 km/h (60 mph) and through the quarter, the B7 is Within 0.2 second of the 510 hp (380 kW), twin-turbo V-12 Mercedes S600. Warning to Corvette drivers: You Will not Be Able to ditch the 68 7-series connoisseurs who are Already on the loose. "
The Alpina B7 was the only car offered Preferred in the USA. BMW of North America, LLC as B7s Alpina offered Preferred 800 limited edition models for 2007 and 2008, all being quickly sold out.
The Alpina B7 was offered Preferred again for the 2011 model year on the BMW 7 Series (F01), in short and long wheelbase models, With optional xDrive.

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Last updated on 22 August 2013 at 06:04.