2010 BMW 7-Series: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2010 BMW 7-Series lineup gains available all-wheel drive, a new top-end model, and a gas/electric hybrid version following its redesign for the 2009 model year. Conventional 7-Series models include the 750i and 750Li, each with rear-wheel drive. New for 2010 are the AWD 750i xDrive and 750Li xDrive. A new top-end rear-drive 760Li is due later in model-year 2010. The "L" versions of BMW's flagship sedan ride on a wheelbase that is 5.5-inches longer than that of the 750i. All 750i cars are powered by a 400-hp 4.4-liter twin turbocharged V8. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard. The ActiveHybrid 7 pairs a 4.4-liter V8 engine with an electric motor for 455 hp total. The hybrid system can shut off the gas engine at a stop, but the car is unable to accelerate solely on battery power. No plug-in charging is required. The hybrid uses an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 760Li has a turbocharged 544-hp 6.0-liter V12 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front and rear side airbags, knee airbags, and curtain side airbags. BMW's Active Roll Stabilization, designed to counter body lean, should remain part of the optional Sport Package, along with BMW's new Integral Active Steering, which adds speed-sensitive rear-wheel steering to BMW's Active Steering system. Also standard should be BMW's Dynamic Driving Control, which allows the driver to adjust the suspension, throttle response, transmission's shift characteristics, and power steering. A navigation system and wireless cell-phone link should remain standard along with the new version of BMW's iDrive control for audio, navigation, and climate settings. All models continue to include steering-linked headlights, front- and rear-obstacle detection, and BMW Assist emergency and concierge service. Other features that should return on the 2010 7-Series include blind-spot alert, lane-departure warning, a head-up display, sideview and rearview cameras, and high beams that automatically dim when oncoming traffic is detected. Also offered should be a 40-gigabyte hard drive for the audio and navigation systems, which allows for storage of up to 13 gigabytes of music files. A night-vision system, adaptive cruise control, DVD entertainment, and keyless access and engine start should return. This report is based on evaluations of the 2009 BMW 7-Series.