Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 740d

German giant unleashes most powerful 7-series diesel ever.

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£19,783 off RRP*
Find your BMW 7 Series
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

There’s no better 7-Series than the 740d. Its breadth of performance is staggering, as is its ability to return 40mpg-plus. Why anyone would buy a petrol version is beyond us!Factor in a chassis that benefits from BMW’s excellent Dynamic Drive Control system, and you have a big saloon that is sporty yet comfortable – all at the flick of a switch. Yet no matter how fantastic the 740d is, we can’t justify the extra outlay over the already superb 730d.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The luxury car world has been turned upside down by Jaguar’s stunning new XJ. So what are the big cat’s rivals doing to compete with this latest flagship head-turner?

Well, even though the new 7-Series has only just been launched, BMW will offer a hybrid version next year. For now, there’s the 740d – the most powerful diesel 7-Series ever.

Under the bonnet is an even more muscular version of the 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo oil-burner that powers the 730d, which will make its way into the new 5-Series, too. It produces 61bhp more, at 306bhp, and delivers a massive 600Nm of torque – a 60Nm advantage.

Hooked up to a slick-shifting six-speed auto, the unit propels the newcomer from 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds – a second faster than the 730d – and 155mph. Drivers won’t be penalised at the pumps, though. In fact, as the 740d returns 40.9mpg and emits 181g/km of CO2, it’s even more efficient than the current 730d – although a revised version of the latter is due in September.

How does the model perform on the road? Well, it’s absolutely storming. The enormous torque output means response is instantaneous and supercar-fast between 50mph-75mph.

It’s easy to find yourself travelling at very high speeds, partly because there’s so little wind or engine noise, while the blend of comfort and a range of around 600 miles makes this a supreme long-distance car.

The way the 740d tackles corners is just as impressive. As with all 7-Series, it has Dynamic Drive Control. This gives the option of Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport + modes, which alter the responsiveness of the steering, suspension and traction control. It means you can make the car boulevard-smooth one minute, sports-car-firm the next.

As you’d expect, all this comes at a price. The 740d will cost over £58,000 – around £5,000 more than the 730d. The latter is fast enough for most, but if you have the funds, the new car is a wonderful all-rounder.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

BMW 7 Series

BMW 7 Series

RRP £105,620Avg. savings £19,783 off RRP*Used from £16,450
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £1,676 off RRP*
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,513 off RRP*Used from £5,500
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK
Tesla Model X on two-post inspection ramp

New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK

New technology and driver assistance systems require changes to annual testing, says EC
News
25 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: the one and only Nissan Juke for less than £150 per month
Nissan Juke - left cornering

Car Deal of the Day: the one and only Nissan Juke for less than £150 per month

Nissan’s best-selling small SUV just got a little bit cheaper and is our Deal of the Day for 26 April
News
26 Apr 2025