BMW 7-Series plug-in hybrids go on sale this spring, combining the sportiness, comfort and feel-good ambience of BMW’s flagship luxury models with increased efficiency.
There is likely a choice of two model variants: the BMW 745e and the BMW 745Le xDrive, the latter of which gets intelligent all-wheel drive.
The plug-in hybrid system consists of a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine and an advanced high-voltage battery with an enlarged capacity compared to previous plug-in models. This gives a boost in power output and torque, as well as improved figures for electric range, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Power comes from a 3.0-litre BMW EfficientDynamics engine producing a peak power output of 286hp combined with an electric motor with a rated output of 113hp and torque of 265Nm, along with a new lithium-ion battery featuring the latest battery cell technology and expanded storage capacity. In SPORT mode, the two power sources combine to give a total power output of 394hp and maximum torque of 600Nm, giving the 745e sports car-like acceleration.
The hybrid system features intelligent energy management for precisely controlled interaction between the two power units, including a preview function that works with the car’s GPS to assign electric power most efficiently on a pre-planned route.
In performance terms, BMW claims the 745e accelerates from zero to 62mph in 5.2 seconds. It adds that the new 745Le xDrive, with its intelligent four-wheel-drive, cuts that time down to just 5.1 seconds, with all three models electronically limited to a top speed of 155mph.
The new high-voltage lithium-ion battery for the plug-in hybrid 7 Series has an increased capacity of 12.0kWh, allowing electric power to be enjoyed beyond the city limits. And according to BMW, in ‘hybrid’ mode, all models can travel at a speed of up to 68mph, some 13mph faster than the predecessor models, in purely electric mode.
The petrol engine does not join in until the car reaches the higher speed, or the engine is under particularly heavy load. In ‘electric’ mode, the power of the electric motor alone is sufficient to reach a speed of 87mph.
The 745e has a claimed maximum electric range of between 34 and 36 miles depending on driving conditions, while the 745Le xDrive aims to achieve an electrically powered range of 32 to 34 miles.
Fuel consumption and emissions have also been improved. For the 745e, combined consumption is between 141 and 123mpg on the NEDC cycle. CO2 emissions are from 48g/km.The corresponding figures for the new 745Le xDrive 118-105mpg and from 52g/km.
From summer 2019, BMW promises new digital services will be available to make charging the battery en-route even more convenient. When selecting a public charging station, the navigation system also provides the driver with a list of recommended nearby hotels, restaurants, cafés and tourist attractions. The driver is also provided with a charging station occupancy forecast.
In addition, BMW intelligent personal assistant makes life easier for the driver. Among other things, it includes the ability to select an interior experience as a combination of seat conditioning, seat massage, interior temperature, fragrance and shading based on specifically defined experience modes. The personal assistant can also search for parking spaces and charging options.
