Shortly after unveiling the new G11/G12 BMW 7 Series LCI (facelift in BMW speak), the German carmaker has revealed more details about the plug-in hybrid variants – 745e, 745Le and 745Le xDrive – of its flagship sedan.
At its base, the plug-in hybrid system uses a 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-six engine with 286 PS and 450 Nm compared to the previous 740e, 740Le and 740Le xDrive that packed a 2.0 litre turbo four-pot.
The eDrive aspect is of the powertrain is unchanged, with an electric motor being integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic gearbox, which not only provides drive but also doubles as a generator to recuperate energy during braking and coasting phases. A slight tweak here is the e-motor’s output that is now 113 PS and 265 Nm, the latter being a 15 Nm improvement.
Powering the e-motor is a more substantial 12 kWh lithium-ion battery (pre-LCI models packed a 9.2 kWh unit) placed underneath the rear seats. The battery is also used to run the car’s onboard network as well as auxiliary systems like air-conditioning.
Aside from energy recuperation, the battery can also be recharged by plugging the vehicle into a charging station (Type 2 connector pictured here), with BMW claiming it’ll take about 4.4 hours with a 3.7 kW outlet (16 A/230 V).
It’s also noteworthy that plug-in hybrid variants have a smaller fuel tank capacity of approximately 46 litres compared to the non-hybrids’ 78 litres. The available luggage capacity is also less at 420 litres compared to 515 litres.
The overall system output for all three variants is identical at 394 PS and 600 Nm (previously was 326 PS and 500 Nm), with all-wheel drive being another benefit for the xDrive-equipped model. Looking at the performance figures, the 745e takes 5.2 seconds to get from zero to 100 km/h, while the 745Le takes 5.3 seconds, and the 745Le xDrive at 5.1 seconds. All variants are electronically-limited to 250 km/h by default.
Of course, if you wanted outright performance, the M760Li xDrive is the way to go with its 6.6 litre twin-turbo V12 providing 585 PS and 850 Nm (century sprint done in 3.8 seconds). The eDrive-equipped 7 Series is more focused on efficiency and promoting a greener motoring experience, making these next set of figures a little more important.
The three statistics here are electric-only range, claimed fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Out of the three variants, the short-wheelbase 745e comes out on top with an electric-only range of between 54-58 km, fuel consumption of between 2.3-2.1 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of between 52-48 g/100 km.
Next in line is the 745Le (52-55 km, 2.3-2.2 l/100 km and 53-50 g/100 km), followed by the 745Le xDrive (50-54 km, 2.6-2.3 l/100 km and 59-52 g/100 km). Compared to its predecessors, the new 7 Series PHEV models have a slightly increased electric-only range of about 10 km, but the max top speed on the e-motor alone remains at 140 km/h.
As you’d expect, there are a number of drive modes to select from, five to be exact – Sport, Adaptive, Hybrid, Electric and Battery Control. The first brings out the powertrain’s maximum performance, while Adaptive automatically sets the car up according to the driving style and situation.
Upon vehicle startup, Hybrid is the standard setting, providing a balanced setup and optimised interaction between the combustion engine and electric motor. In Hybrid (including Hybrid Eco Pro), the car is set up to minimise fuel consumption, with greater emphasis on the coasting function and providing an electrical boost only during kickdown manoeuvres.
The Electric mode is pretty obvious, whereby the car runs on electric power alone, with acoustic pedestrian protection being active. Lastly, Battery Control allows drivers to maintain a certain charge state of the battery for use later on.
BMW notes the 7 Series PHEV variants are available with the Pure Excellence or M Sport trim package, along with a range of driver assistance systems and optional equipment, except the Executive Drive Pro active roll stabilisation package.
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All car companies are moving towards EV and Hybrid. Infact the whole of Europe is confirmed to be fully EV by 2035. Not long more. That is only 16 years more.
Yet in Malaysia, Proton still tido. EV tak ada at all. Infact, 14 year hybrid technology also don’t have.
Still fast asleep. Then when nobody buys their cars because it is outdated technology, they say rakyat Malaysia not patriotic.
Pathetic comparison to compare Proton with BMW. That’s like comparing Aruz with X70 and complaining why Aruz looks so poor and loses out to X70. If you want to compare, do it with Mercedes (which has their own EV program), and Audi (which also have their own EV program). In other words, your comparison is pointless and useless.
as is the person making the comparisons…
If I buy a limo, I will choose the S450L. Far better car. Also, MBM give first class service.
BMW Malaysia have typical GLC lembap mentality since Sime Darby is involved. All very slow and lazy. Sometimes cars take days to repair. Always no spare part la, this la and that la
If you want to talk about GLC, then why leave out the inconvenient truth that Mercedes Benz Malaysia is also affiliated with GLC DRB-Hicom? If you think so highly of them, that means GLC mentality isn’t the problem at all.
preach brah!
Wow! looks like a pig. What a BIG NOSE!