2009 BMW 730 Ld review and pictures

BMW 730 Ld review:

The new BMW 7 Series is the result of perfection in design and supreme engineering on the drivetrain, on the chassis, in terms of safety systems, driver assistance, and comfort. And at the same time the sophisticated but very modern interior proves that both driving and riding in the new BMW 7 Series is a truly impressive experience the driver and all passengers will enjoy at all times.

The high-performance and outstandingly efficient engines as well as the suspension technology of the new BMW 7 Series are both quite unique in the luxury saloon segment. Two petrol engines with Twin Turbo technology and High Precision Injection – the 300 kW/407 hp V8 in the top-of-the-range BMW 750i and the 240 kW/326 hp straight-six in the new BMW 740i – as well as a newly developed straight-six diesel with common-rail fuel injection, piezo-injectors and an aluminium crankcase with maximum output of 180 kW/245 hp in the new BMW 730d are available right from the start upon the introduction of the car. All power units offer the highest standard of efficiency in their respective class and comply in full with the EU5 emission standard.

The 2009 International Geneva Motor Show is certainly the right place for the world debut of the BMW 730Ld. Introducing this outstanding model most appropriate for today’s world, BMW is now offering the long-wheelbase version of this Luxury Performance Saloon so far available as the BMW 750Li and BMW 740Li in conjunction with BMW’s extremely efficient straight-six diesel. The long-wheelbase version of the BMW 7 Series comes with its wheelbase extended by 14 centimetres or 5.5“ entirely benefiting the rear-seat passengers in terms of extra legroom. The result is truly excellent long-distance touring comfort combined in the new BMW 730Ld with outstandingly low fuel consumption and emissions.

The BMW 730Ld accelerates to 100 km/h from a standstill in 7.3 seconds and its average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 7.3 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 38.7 mpg imp), with a CO2 emission rating of 194 grams per kilometre setting new standards in this segment of the market.

Introducing this new model, BMW has succeeded once again, through the company’s unique innovative power, in overcoming apparent contrasts, the BMW 730Ld combining sheer luxury and supreme efficiency more convincingly than any other car in this segment.

All versions of the new BMW 7 Series comes as standard with Dynamic Damper Control including Dynamic Driving Control operated by the touch of a button on the centre console. Important options are the Integral Active Steering together with rear axle steering as a function of driving conditions (a technology absolutely unique the world over), as well as Dynamic Drive anti-roll stability.

The new BMW 7 Series also introduces the new generation of BMW’s trendsetting iDrive control system. A newly developed Controller with direct selection buttons and a high-resolution 10.2-inch Control Display facilitate intuitive management, control and activation of numerous functions.

BMW’s new iDrive also offers ideal conditions for unrestricted use of the internet in the car offered by BMW as the world’s first manufacturer in the context of BMW ConnectedDrive.

The clear structure of the cockpit dominated by the instrument cluster in innovative black panel technology gives the driver absolute supremacy and unrestricted control of his car at all times. The driver assistance systems featured for the first time in the new BMW 7 Series and exclusive the world over include BMW’s new Night Vision with detection of individual persons, the camera-based Speed Limit Info, Lane Change Warning and Cruise Control with Stop & Go, an active Brake Assistant and a proximity warning function when approaching another vehicle from behind.

A wide range of lightweight features – including the doors, roof, engine compartment lid, side panels and the engine crankcase made of aluminium – enhance both the efficiency and the agility of the new BMW 7 Series. And through its comprehensive safety concept alone, BMW’s new Luxury Saloon guarantees maximum occupant safety in all conceivable types of collision.




Precisely on course: Lane Change Warning.

Lane Change Warning available for the first time in a BMW enables the driver to overtake other vehicles in superior style and with a significantly reduced risk. Radar sensors at the rear end of the car monitor traffic conditions on the adjacent lanes, covering an area extending from the so-called blind angle on the next lane all the way to a distance of 60 metres or almost 200 feet behind the car.

A triangular symbol illuminated permanently on the base of the exterior mirror shows the driver that there is another vehicle in the critical range. Then, once the driver sets the direction indicator in order to change his lane in the process of overtaking, this LED signal will start to flash on and off, providing a clear warning in the process. The driver is also warned by discreet but unmistakable vibration on the steering wheel following the same signal as the Lane Departure Warning.

World debut in the new BMW 7 Series: recognition of traffic signs.

In combination with a navigation system and Lane Departure Warning, the new BMW 7 Series offers yet another exclusive function: the Speed Limit Info enables the driver to constantly monitor the speed limit on all routes he is currently taking. For this purpose a camera fitted near the interior mirror permanently registers traffic signs by the road as well as variable signs on bridges above the road (eg on motorways).

The data determined in this way from traffic signs is compared with the data saved in the car’s navigation system and the speed limit at the driver’s current location is shown in the instrument cluster or, as an option, in the Head-Up Display.

Maximum agility, efficiency and solidity ensured by intelligent lightweight technology.

The bodyshell of the BMW 7 Series offers an unusually good balance of low weight and superior strength and solidity. This is made possible by intelligent lightweight technology, appropriate use of high- and ultra-high-strength steel giving the body an extremely stable structure and, together with the use of aluminium on numerous further components, providing a significant improvement of passive safety on lower overall weight.

As a result, overall weight of the new BMW 7 Series is down from that of the previous model by 35 kg (77 lb) and even 55 kg (121 lb), taking the range of equipment into account. At the same time the bodyshell of the new BMW 7 Series offers about 20 per cent greater torsional stiffness than the bodyshell of the former model, thus providing the foundation for the car’s excellent driving dynamics.

Exemplary protection of the occupants on all seats.

High-load-resistant carrier structures, extra-large and exactly defined crumple zones as well as highly efficient restraint systems coordinated by high-performance electronic control set the foundation for the high level of passive safety in the new BMW 7 Series. Within the interior, in turn, frontal and hip/thorax airbags as well as side curtain head airbags all come as standard.

BMW’s new Luxury Saloon features three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all seats. The restraint systems furthermore come with a belt force limiter and, on the front seats, an additional belt tightener.

To protect the occupants from cervical spine injury in the event of a collision from behind, the front seats come as standard with crash-activated headrests. And last but certainly not least, ISOFIX child seat fastenings are featured as standard on the rear seats.

Hard disc memory for audio data and the navigation system.

To make use of the audio and navigation system particularly convenient and comfortable at all times, the new BMW 7 Series comes as standard with a hard disc memory. Offering capacity of 80 GB, this high-performance memory ensures exceptionally rapid access to the digitally prepared map material used for navigation purposes. In addition, no less than 12 GB is available for a comprehensive list of music files, also enabling the user to transmit music files from a CD, an MP3 player or a USB stick straight to the hard disc.

Fully integrated use of the Apple iPhone and other Smartphones.

The mobile phone preparation kit complete with a Bluetooth interface available on the new BMW 7 Series allows safe and comfortable use of a wide range of the latest mobile phones while driving. In addition, Smartphones with an MP3 function may also be fully integrated into the car using a specially developed snap-in adapter together with a USB port again available as an option.

Using this option, the driver and passengers are able to use both the communication and the entertainment functions of their mobile phone, masterminding the entire process of operation through the iDrive control system. The new interface is suited for fully integration of Apple iPhone, Sony Ericsson K850i and Nokia 6500c mobile phones.

BMW ConnectedDrive with Enhanced Emergency Call function and new remote control functions.

The BMW Assist Telematics Service integrated in BMW ConnectedDrive is likewise available in the new BMW 7 Series, offering a whole range of different functions.

Apart from the user’s personal enquiry service and provision of the latest traffic information, BMW Assist now also incorporates an Enhanced Emergency Call function with automatic tracking of the car to its current location.

In the event of a collision exceeding a certain level of severity, the system automatically communicates the car’s current location, the car’s data, as well as information from the sensors on the type of collision and the risk of injury to the car’s occupants, all this information going to a BMW Call Center. From there the data is then transferred immediately to the nearest rescue service.

BMW ConnectedDrive will also offer the customer direct assistance through the BMW Call Center in situations which previously required the help of a breakdown service. Should, for example, the driver leave the key to his car in the locked luggage compartment or if his children have locked the car from inside, all he has to do in future is contact the BMW Call Center. Then, following a clear process of identification, the BMW Call Center is able to unlock the car from a distance. And in the opposite case the BMW Call Center may also lock the car by remote control if necessary.

Exquisite highlights from BMW Individual.

Choosing from the wide range of options offered by BMW Individual, the discerning driver of a BMW 7 Series is able to express his sense of select quality and exclusive style even more convincingly. Among other highlights, the range includes new BMW Individual leather in Merino fine grain standing out not only through the unique quality of the material and exclusive colours, but also through distinctive seam patterns on the seats, the dashboard and the door linings.

Matching the various leather colours, BMW Individual offers an even wider range of colours on the Alcantara roof lining, with fine trim bars in Satin Nut Brown, Reddish Brown plane tree and Black Piano paint ensuring particular class and style.

A new highlight in the wide range of BMW Individual exterior colours is Citrin Black in Xirallic technology.

Yet a further feature offered by BMW Individual is the newly developed, fully integrated cooling box able to accommodate two 0.7-litre bottles and two 0.33-litre cans. New 20-inch BMW Individual light-alloy wheels in V-spoke design round off the car’s exclusive appearance on a truly personalised BMW 7 Series.

In a nutshell, therefore, the wide range of features offered by BMW Individual combines the safety and maturity of the regular production car with the unparalleled appeal, style and class of a genuine one-off masterpiece.