new 2011 BMW 740i and 740Li for spring 2010

BMW 7 Series, M Sports Package

BMW of North America announced today from the New Jersey headquarters, the introduction of the new 2011 BWM 7-Series with a twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine. The inline-6 engine produces V-8 power but maintains six-cylinder fuel consumption. The new 740i and 740 Li will go on sale in the spring as 2011 model year automobiles.

BMW’s Efficient Dynamics which is their engineering philosophy of getting large engine performance and power out of much smaller engines.This engineering technology was first demonstrated in the BMW 750i which featured a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine that performed at the same performance level of BWM’s V-12 engine but produced emissions of a much smaller engine.

The new 2011 engines will produce 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 Efficient Dynamics 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.

2011 BMW 740i, 740Li: First Look

• Competes with: Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, Jaguar XJ
• Looks like: Power isn’t everything -- even in imposing German sedans
• Drivetrain: 315-hp, twin-turbo six-cylinder with six-speed automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2010

BMW’s flagship sedan is getting a power dump — not bump — for 2011. The 740i and 740Li will pack BMW’s superb twin-turbo V-6 engine used in the 3 and 5 Series. In the 740s, it will produce 315 horsepower and is teamed to a six-speed automatic.

We’re not sure why BMW thinks this is a good idea. No other luxury car in this class features a six-cylinder, even a turbocharged one. We’re also not sure on pricing, but it probably will be north of $70,000 since the 750i starts at $80,455.

At either price buyers may demand a V-8 — fuel economy be damned.

We recently tested a BMW 535 wagon with the same engine producing 300 hp and found it to be plenty powerful. The 750 weighs 450 pounds more than the 535 wagon, but the turbo engine should bring the 7 Series’ weight down slightly. The 740 will be rear-wheel drive only and pack regenerative braking technology; the 740Li will be an extended model, just like in the rest of the range, for more interior room.

Even if performance is acceptable, will the 7 Series buyer be content with the 740i badge on the back? Or will they pull an Ari Gold who famously put a higher-end badge on his wife’s luxury sedan in the popular HBO series “Entourage.”