BMW 740d unveiled

By Jack Westwood

25th June 2009

Here’s a look at BMW’s new 740d, the most powerful diesel luxury car ever produced by the firm.

It’s powered by a twin turbo six-cylinder oil-burner designed to offer the raw performance of a big V8. The engine details are scarce, but we do know that it is all-aluminium and boasts high pressure fuel injection.

With 306hp and a peak torque of 600Nm maintained between 1,500 and 2,500rpm, the BMW 740d accelerates from 0-62 in 6.3 seconds onto an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

BMW also claim that the car will have a fuel consumption of 40.9mpg and carbon emissions of 181g/km, which would be a class-leading efficiency.

The BMW 740dwill be introduced this autumn, with the price, likely to be around £60,000, also being announced at that time.

Meanwhile, BMW has also announced exclusive Lifestyle and Sport Editions for the 1-Series to be sold as of September 2009, alongside two new entry-level versions of the 1-Series Coupé  – with a petrol or diesel engine.

The 120i Coupé features a 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine, with 170hp, 210 Nm of torque, top speed of 149mph and 0-62 in 7.8 seconds. The 118d Coupè has a four-cylinder engine, which provides 143hp and 300Nm peak torque. The 118d model can accelerate from 0-62 in 9.0 seconds up to a top speed of 130mph.

The new Lifestyle and Sport Editions will be available on all 1-Series models. Lifestyle Edition features stylish body paintwork in Marrakesh Brown Metallic, chrome-plated tailpipes as well as light-alloy rims in five spoke designs.

On the five-door the look is completed with window shaft covers and side window surrounds in Shadow Line, on the three-door in Chrome Line. The interior includes a leather steering wheel, Marrakesh brown interior trim and Magma brown door panels and seat upholstery.

The Sport Edition, meanwhile, has a sport suspension set-up and Ferric Grey wheel paintwork is available. Other exterior features include foglams, chrome tailpipes, Blackline rear lights and Shadow Line side windows. The interior includes stainless steel pedals with an M footrest, steering wheel and gearshift lever as well as a sports seat for the driver and front passenger with ornamental blue stiching.

These new Editions come out in September for all 1-Series models.

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