tachyon

Hmmmm ... BMW just announced that they will begin to sell a 2011 model year 740i (and L version) here in the U.S. starting in Spring 2010. This model will be driven by the twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine with 315 horsepower and 330 lb-ft.

In related BMW engine news this week - regarding a high-performance Z4 - this same TT I-6 shows up with 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft. And get this - there is an overboost function to briefly increase torque to 369 lb-ft!

So it makes me wonder if the F10 5-series will have a 540i model instead of a 535i. And which power version of the TT I-6?

Here's the 740i press release:

The 2011 BMW 740i and 740Li Sedans

16.12.2009 Press Release
Woodcliff Lake, NJ ? December 16, 2009 2:00pm Eastern ? As an exciting example of its EfficientDynamics engineering philosophy, BMW announced the North American debut of the 7 Series with a twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine. Featuring BMW?s award-winning inline-6 engine that produces V-8 power on six-cylinder fuel consumption, the new BMW 740i and BMW 740Li achieve a remarkable balance of power, efficiency, and sporty driving dynamics. Both models will go on sale in the United States as 2011 models in Spring 2010. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

In 1977, the original BMW 7 Series was launched exclusively with inline-6 propulsion. The United States first met the BMW 7 Series in the 1978 model year as the 733i Sedan. The 733i featured a 3.2-liter inline-6 engine rated at 197 horsepower. The 733i remained on sale in America until it was replaced in 1985 by the BMW 735i Sedan. The 735i, which featured an updated inline-6 engine producing 218 horsepower from 3.4 liters, enjoyed a production run that lasted through the end of the 1992 model year. The 735i was joined by the extended-wheelbase 735iL in May of 1988.

A keystone of BMW?s EfficientDynamics philosophy is ?virtual displacement,? the notion that BMW?s modern engines of smaller displacement can equal or exceed the outputs of traditional engines of larger displacement and more cylinders. This principle is already seen in the BMW 750i model, which features a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine performing at the level of BMW?s previous-generation V12 engine. Virtual displacement provides the power of a larger engine with the fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions signature of a smaller engine. The 2011 BMW 740i and 740Li feature BMW?s internationally acclaimed twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine with up-rated output of 315 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 330 lb-ft of torque from 1600-4500 rpm. All-aluminum construction, High Precision direct fuel injection, Double-VANOS variable camshaft technology, and Brake Energy Regeneration are a few of the technologies used under the BMW EfficientDynamics philosophy to place the 740i and 740Li among the most powerful six-cylinder luxury sedans in the world. Delivering power to the rear wheels is BMW?s 6-speed automatic transmission, well-known for fast, smooth gearshifts and an ability to intelligently adapt to the driver?s style.

Both models will be available with the full complement of well-known 7 Series options and packages, including the M Sport Package, Driver Assistance Package, Luxury Seating Packages, Rear Entertainment Package, and even the BMW Individual Composition Package.

m630

things get further in focus and more blurry at the same time! I can only assume this was BMWs recent notations on the N54 vs the N55. They said that one should not assume the N55 to replace the N54, and this seems to prove that point. Im not sure that the F10 will get this since they announced that the 535 will be the model designation using the new N55, not the N54 as in the F01.

I also saw the story on the Z4is with overboost, crazy world!

skelevirus

i thought they were dropping the tt6 for a single T6? im so confused?!

m630

nope, they are continuing both for reasons unknown to us all, i believe Roundel also had a writeup on this, N54 and N55 to continue forward

danzanchy

i want overboost!

v_therussian

Yep, I saw this yesterday on autoblog. I think the 6 cyl. 7er is LONG overdue in the U.S., but this will most likely be too expensive a car to really sell well. I am betting BMW is bringing it to the U.S. market just to lower their average corporate fuel efficiency ratings. Too bad, if I'm right about that though.

Another deal-breaker could be the weight, of course, but with a lighter engine and the turbos doing their jobs (HPFP issues notwithstanding), could be a nice driver's car.

Implications of it regarding the F10? I think there will be a 540 with a twin turbo, but I'm betting it will not be offered in the same markets as the N55-equipped 535 Which means that we're not getting it in the U.S. - after all the fiasco with the HPFP in the N54, BMW will most likely play it safe (just like they did with F10's styling) and offer the (supposedly) more reliable N55-equipped F10, called the 535. The might, however, call it a 540 to get away from the negative image of the E60 535. Maybe a 538? 533?

LSs1Power

The 740 has the same engine as the 535. They just called it 740 instead of 735.

RichReg

The 740 has the N54 engine with 2 turbos...the new 535 has the N55 engine with a single turbo.