Munich. The plug-in hybrid models of the new BMW 7
Series combine luxurious driving pleasure with forward-looking
sustainability. This means that their progressive character are not
only evident from recent innovations in control, networking and drive
assistance systems, but also from their life cycle assessment. Just
how great the advances in efficiency are that are enabled by BMW’s
eDrive technology for luxury sedans is evidenced by the environmental
balance study, which is now certified in accordance with the ISO 14040
and 14044 standards for the new BMW 745Le (fuel consumption combined
2.3 – 2.2 l/100 km; electricity consumption combined
15.7 – 15.6 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined
53 – 50 g/km*). According to the analysis confirmed by the independent
inspectors from TÜV Rheinland, the so-called global warming
potential** of the plug-in hybrid sedan is 33 percent below the
corresponding value for a conventionally driven model of the BMW 7
Series with a comparable output. When exclusive use is made of
electricity generated from renewable sources, the climate-relevant
environmental impact throughout the vehicle’s entire life cycle is
even 58 percent lower.
The ISO certificate for the life cycle assessment of the new BMW
745Le is further evidence of the efficiency of the BMW eDrive
technology in reducing fuel consumption and emissions. This is taken
care of in the new BMW 745Le and BMW 745e models (fuel consumption
combined 2.2 – 2.1 l/100 km; electricity consumption combined
15.5 – 15.1 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined
51 – 48 g/km*) and BMW 745Le xDrive (fuel consumption combined
2.5 – 2.3 l/100 km; electricity consumption combined
16.2 – 15.8 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined
57 – 52 g/km*) by the intelligently controlled interaction between a
high-efficiency, in-line six-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo
technology and an electric motor integrated into the extremely
high-efficiency eight-speed Steptronic gearbox. The electrification of
the drivetrain also makes it possible for luxury sedans to perform
many typical everyday driving activities, particularly driving in city
traffic, locally free of emissions. The range for purely electric
driving is between 55 and 58 kilometres* for the new BMW 745e, from 52
to 55 kilometres* for the new BMW 745Le and from 51 to 54 kilometres*
for the new BMW 745Le xDrive.
Local emission-free mobility in the city – and beyond.
This means that exclusively electric mobility in a luxury sedan can
now be enjoyed far beyond the city limits. In the standard HYBRID
driving mode, the new BMW 745e, the new BMW 745Le and the new
BMW 745Le xDrive achieve speeds of up to 110 km/h with the power of
the electric engine alone. Only at higher speeds or with particularly
intensive load demands does the combustion engine come into operation.
By pressing the eDrive button on the centre console, the driver can
activate the ELECTRIC mode, which raises the maximum attainable speed
to 140 km/h, locally free of emissions. In SPORT mode, the electric
motor is used to support the combustion engine. Together, the
combustion engine and electric motor produce a system output of
290 kW/394 hp. The combined power and maximum system torque of 600 Nm
are available for more spirited acceleration manoeuvres. The new
BMW 745e is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds,
while the new BMW 745Le achieves the same in 5.3 seconds The new
BMW 745Le xDrive attains a speed of 100 km/h from stationary in 5.1
seconds. The BATTERY CONTROL setting serves to raise the charge state
of the high-voltage battery to a level determined by the driver or to
maintain this level. On longer journeys, the stored electric power can
thus be deliberately reserved for use in locally emission-free driving
in urban road sections. The plan is to offer automated electric
driving on the basis of e-zones defined by BMW by the spring of 2020.
Besides the intelligent driver system controller, the new high
voltage storage system with the latest battery cell technology also
plays a role in increasing the proportion of driving done on a purely
electric basis, reducing consumption and CO2 values and
attaining a favourable life cycle assessment in the new BMW 745Le
compared with conventionally driven models. In the environmental
balance study, the BMW 740Li (fuel consumption combined
7.4 – 7.2 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined 170 – 164 g/km*)
with a 250 kW/340 hp in-line six-cylinder engine was used to enable
direct comparison with the plug-in hybrid model. The values determined
for both models and subsequently set in comparison with each other
refer to a use phase comprising a driving distance of
250 000 kilometres. Besides pure fuel and electricity consumption,
climate-relevant emissions associated with the production and
provision of the respective energy source were also taken into
account. The plug-in hybrid model already achieves a reduction in
global warming potential of 33 percent compared with the BMW 740Li
when using energy from the EU-25 electricity mix, which considers all
electrical energy generated in the European Union. When the
electricity fed into the lithium-ion high-voltage battery of the
BMW 745Le originates solely from renewable sources such as wind and
solar power systems, climate-relevant emissions fall by as much as 58
percent in comparison with the conventionally driven model.
BMW 7 Series with plug-in hybrid drive: Certificated life
cycle assessment and privileged status as electric vehicle.
The certification procedures conducted by TÜV Rheinland subjected
both the methods and the findings of the environmental balance study
to detailed inspection. Experts not only analysed the input data and
environmental information, but they also considered the process of the
study’s compilation. Their certificate confirms that the life cycle
assessment of the new BMW 745Le was issued in compliance with the
requirements of the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards and that the methods
applied correspond with the scientific state of the art.
Due to is long electric range, the new BMW 745e, the new BMW 745Le
and the new BMW 745Le xDrive meet the criteria which have been
stipulated for the classification as an electric vehicle and the
associated preferential treatment in public road traffic. In addition
they also qualify for reduced company car taxation in Germany. Only
half the gross list price is used as a basis when calculating the
monetary benefit from private use of the company car. The specific
series equipment of the three plug-in hybrid models of the BMW 7
Series also includes an acoustic pedestrian protection system. When
driving solely on electricity at speeds of up to 30 km/h, a
distinctive sound created especially for electric BMW models is
emitted from a loudspeaker system. The sound design radiates a vibrant
acoustic presence, though without impairing the acoustic comfort of
vehicle occupants.
Auxiliary air conditioning system and hybrid-specific digital
services as series equipment.
The series equipment of the plug-in hybrid models also includes an
auxiliary air-conditioning system. This can also be controlled
remotely by smartphone using the BMW Connected App. New eDrive
services help make it more attractive and convenient to charge the
high-voltage battery when out and about. Digital services support the
driver in his search and selection of public charging stations; they
also enable control of the charging procedure via remote functions and
transfer data relating to charge status, electric and combined range,
and individual energy consumption to the driver’s smartphone or other
personal terminal device. The standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional
not only comprises a fully digital composite display and
interconnected navigation system but also includes the BMW Intelligent
Personal Assistant, which, similarly, supports the search for parking
and charging facilities as well the reservation of charging stations.
The exterior design Pure Excellence and the M sports package are
available as options for new BMW 745e, the new BMW 745Le and the new
BMW 745Le xDrive. All driver assistance systems are likewise
available, as is the full range of optional equipment items to enhance
comfort and also, with the exception of the Executive Drive Pro
option, all the suspension systems of the new BMW 7 Series.
BMW plug-in hybrid models offer an array of benefits in
everyday use.
BMW’s plug-in hybrid drive systems already offer users a host of
additional benefits over traditional solutions:
- Money-saving: Electric driving in urban areas is cheaper than
using petrol or diesel if the plug-in hybrid vehicle is charged at
home or at the workplace at low cost. - Interior always at the right temperature, even before you get in:
auxiliary heating and auxiliary air conditioning are fitted as standard. - Braking is winning: The battery is charged under braking. In
conventional vehicles, braking generates only heat and brake dust. - The best of both worlds: Plug-in hybrids provide electric driving
pleasure in urban areas and classical BMW driving pleasure over
longer distances.
- Smoothing the way into the future: Because a plug-in hybrid can
run emission-free, it is eligible to enter many low-emission zones,
enjoys extra parking privileges and saves on toll charges. - Better quality of life in cities: By driving on electric power,
users can actively contribute to reducing emissions and traffic
noise in cities.