BMW 7-Series
The new 750i is powered by BMW's 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, which first appeared under the hood of the new X6. Rated at 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The twin-turbocharged V8 will be powering the 750i and 750Li models, in both traditional two wheel drive and BMW's new xDrive (AWD) versions. The 760i will find its forward and reverse motion from an eight-speed automatic transmission.
For 2010 onward BMW is raising the stakes with a 535 hp, 6.0-liter, turbocharged V12 powering the 760Li. For the 760Li the sticker price will begin at $136,600. This makes the 760Li the only large luxury sedan in at this price point available with a V12 in the US market.
Compared with the outgoing model, the new 7-Series sedan grows by 5.5 inches at the wheelbase. The European market also has a choice of a 3.0-liter twin turbo diesel delivering 242 hp and 399 lb-ft and the familiar twin-turbo gasoline 3.0-liter inline-six upgraded to 323 hp and 332 lb-ft. A six-speed automatic transmission will be mated to the V8 engine, with the shifter moved from the steering column back to the center console.
The new 7-Series will roll on 18-inch alloy wheels shod in all-season run-flat tires in a 245/50R18 size. Two styles of 19-inch wheels with performance-oriented rubber will be optional.
Weight-saving measures have shaved about 120 lbs thanks largely to increased use of aluminum in the body as compared to the previous generation car despite the new car carrying more standard equipment. Another detail change meant to improve fuel consumption by reducing drag is a flap in the grille that eliminates unneeded airflow.
Four-wheel steering will be included on the 7-Series option list, along with an all-wheel drive option known as xDrive. With the four-wheel steering system the rear wheels will turn in the opposite direction as the front ones at speeds below 35 mph, and will turn up to three degrees in the same direction as speeds climb above that.
A new active chassis management system BMW calls IMS will give users the choice of Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus settings, changing settings such as shock settings, steering effort, gear change speed and smoothness, and the sensitivity of the stability control system.
A new night vision system promises to increase safety for pedestrians. The new system will be able to detect human presence in front of the vehicle and then flash a warning symbol on the display. Moreover, the system will be able to tell if a pedestrian is in the road or safely on the sidewalk, although it's not clear how the system can differentiate the two.
The new system is so advanced, it's also able to read speed limit signs and warn drivers when they are driving too fast. However, this feature will only be available in Europe for the time being. A lane departure warning system will notify drivers of cars in their blind spots via a vibrating steering wheel and a message on the dashboard-mounted screen, which now grows to 10.2 inches from 8.8.
The big BMW will also be keeping an eye on your speed during inclement weather. The camera can detect fog or rain, and will warn drivers when they are approaching an unsafe speed. Despite the warning, the system has no control over the speed of the vehicle so those with lead feet need not worry.
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MileOne has gone social
If you haven’t already stumbled upon our Facebook page, found us on twitter, read an article from our blog or watched a rough cut video from our Youtube pages then it’s time to start.
Don’t worry; there are no marketing gimmicks in place. MileOne is getting involved in our community and we want you to be a part of it. Sure, our interests are still in automotive but our primary focus is you, your friends and your family.
Tell your stories; share pictures of your new car, discuss opinions on cars you are thinking of purchasing with your new MileOne friends. What better way to decide what your next car should be than to ask people who are already driving them?
Join our social networks to discuss your experiences with other MileOne fans or simply follow us for auto news updates. Whatever your preference is, we have it.
If you have a story you want to share on our pages, let us know. Email your feedback to events@mileone.com or contact us through our blog DriveMileOne.com . If you prefer to connect directly through Facebook, visit our page.
Get socializing. Go “become a fan” of your dealer group facebook page, follow us on twitter, subscribe to DriveMileOne, check out photos on Flickr or watch videos on YouTube.
Jay Leno test drives a Tango electric car
It may not be the most aesthetically-pleasing car out on the market, but the Tango electric car does have Jay Leno’s stamp of approval. And in the auto industry, that speaks volumes.
The pencil-thin, yet surprisingly-fast electric car was the subject in the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage. In the episode, Leno talks with the inventor of the Tango, Rick Woodbury, and the two discuss the uniqueness of the car despite its rather peculiar appearance. In a rare moment of seriousness, Leno looked as if he was genuinely interested in what Woodbury had to say, which is pretty significant because the comedian wastes little time in trying to crack jokes at other people’s expense. One particularly important point that was stressed was the Tango’s use of lead acid batteries as compared to the lithium-ion variety, which Woodbury admits the company still doesn’t have the budget for. Nevertheless, the inventor of the Tango stressed that the company is preceding plans with putting lithium-ions in the Tango in the near future.
After their conversation, Leno then takes the Tango out for a ride and is pretty impressed with the ride, even saying that the car’s unique ability to split lanes – according to 63 police officers Woodbury asked, all of them have said that it’s perfectly legal – makes it the perfect traffic buster.
Another Leno quip that made us crack was when he said that the Tango’s the only car that you can hang both your arms on both windows. The man hasn’t lost his touch.
What year did Maryland shatter the snowfall record with 40.5” of snow in the month of February?
See answer under Car Doctor.
Ask the Car Doctor
De-salt your car
With the ice and snow over the past few weeks, most of us have been driving around on salted roads (or at least those of us who were lucky enough to get salted roads!). What you may not be aware of is that salt can cause damage to your car. It can cause corrosion and can speed up rust, which is particularly relevant to older cars. Without getting too scientific on it, salt increases the electrical conductivity of water and so accelerates corrosion.
Now that the cold spell seems to have subsided, it is probably a good time to give the car a good wash and try and get rid of the salt off the bodywork and undercarriage of the vehicle. Make sure in particular to wash the underside of your car to get rid of the salt which will have bounced up from the roads. When you’re washing the car make sure also to get the mud and muck out of the wheels and wheel arches. Give rubber, trims, door seals and tyres a good wash and rub also. If you’re using a hose at home make sure it has a high pressure nozzle so that you can get the water at power into those hard to reach places.
You may also find that your car mats have turned white in sections. This can be caused by road salt from your shoes. Mostly this can be removed with soap and water but if this doesn’t do the job you can also try some vinegar diluted with water.
Make sure that your automobile is up to date on its service schedule.
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February of 2003 was the snowiest February on record in Baltimore, with accumulations that totaled 40.5 inches at the airport.
