2009 BMW 7-Series Pricing Announced

BMW has announced Australian pricing for its next-gen flagship luxury 7 Series. Start slotting the shekels away now if you're thinking you'd like one in the garage because the new model is arriving March 2009.

BMW Australia is promising four models on offer from launch. The 740i and long-wheelbase 740Li come with the 240 kW 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six cylinder engines, while the 750i and long-wheelbase 750Li will have the all-new twin-turbo 300 kW V8 engine up front.

Interestingly, not since 1992 and the discontinuation of the E32 730i and 735i, has BMW offered a six-cylinder 7 Series in Australia. According to BMW, the new force-fed direct injection six makes the 740i and 740Li the fastest accelerating, most frugal and most powerful cars in their class.

The new twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 however is a monster. Featuring direct petrol injection and with the turbos installed in the V-section of the engine, BMW claims that performance from the 750i and 750Li "closely shadows that of the previous generation V12 6.0-litre engine of the flagship 760Li".

The new models also feature new lighter aluminium suspension front and rear, as well as a lightweight body shell with a host of aluminium panels including the roof and doors. And, in keeping with its 'top of the tree' luxury status in the BMW stable, the 2009 7 Series is loaded.

While you're thinking about how it might look in your garage, try this list of features for size:

• Enhanced night vision (with new human recognition warning system)
• Lane change warning and lane departure warning
• Head-up display
• Runflat safety tyres
• Brake Energy Regeneration
• Active cruise control with 'stop and go' function
• Variable light distribution and adaptive headlight range control
• Integral active steering (which can steer the rear wheels as well as the front)
• Dynamic damper control (with variable compression and rebound control settings: comfort, normal, sport, sport + and traction)
• Adjustable shift points for the transmission
• Adjustable DSC or DTC intervention
• System side view with front bumper-mounted cameras

There is also an on-board integrated owner's manual and new iDrive system display, large high-resolution full-colour screen and new iDrive Controller.

Commenting on the new car's impending arrival, Managing Director of BMW Group Australia, Mr Guenther Seemann, said:

"We have built on the success of the previous BMW 7 Series, which was the best selling 7 Series ever. We are confident that Australian customers will find the new car perfectly suited to their tastes and requirements.

"A new era in the luxury performance segment is about to unfold in Australia. The new 7 Series will reset the benchmark for driving dynamics, occupant comfort and driver assistance systems," Mr Seemann said.

So what might you expect to pay for this premium technology, comfort and performance?

BMW 7 Series pricing:

BMW 740i $203,000

BMW 740Li $218,000

BMW 750i $274,000

BMW 750Li $291,000

(Prices include GST and LCT at 33 percent. Plus dealer delivery and statutory (on road) charges)

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