BMW 7 Series (E32)

Overview

BMW 7 Series (E32)

manufacturer	BMW
assembly	Germany: Dingolfing (Dingolfing Plant)‡R1R‡ South Africa: Rosslyn (BMW ZA)
production	June 1986–April 1994‡R2R‡‡R3R‡
model years	1987–1994
predecessor	BMW 7 Series (E23)
successor	BMW 7 Series (E38)
class	Full-size luxury car (F)
body style	4-door sedan/saloon
layout	Longitudinal front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
engine	3.0–3.4 L M30 I6 3.0–4.0 L M60 V8 5.0 L M70 V12
related	Alpina B12 BMW 5 Series (E34)
transmission	4-speed ZF 4HP automatic 5-speed ZF 5HP automatic 5-speed Getrag manual
wheelbase	SWB: 2833 mm‡R4R‡ LWB: 2947 mm
length	SWB: 4910 mm LWB: 5029 mm
width	1845 mm
height	SWB: 1400 mm LWB: 1435 mm
weight	1720-1930 kg‡R5R‡
designer	Ercole Spada (concept exterior: 1981, 1983) Hans Kerschbaum (production exterior: 1983)‡R6R‡ Claus Luthe (design director: 1979-84)

The BMW E32 is the second generation of the BMW 7 Series luxury cars and was produced from 1986 until 1994. It replaced the E23 and was initially available with straight-six or V12 powerplants. In 1992, V8 engines became available. From its inception, the E32 was among the most technologically advanced cars of its day.[7]

The E32 introduced numerous features including adaptive suspension (EDC),[8] traction control,[9] two available wheelbases (i and iL), and dual-zone climate control.[10] The E32 750i was the first car adhering to a gentlemen's agreement amongst the German manufacturers limiting maximum speed to 250 km/h.[11]

Special models

750iL Highline

The BMW 750iL Highline was the top-of-the-line model of the E32, with lots of added luxury for the rear passengers like full leather seats, dual radio controls, dual climate control with coolbox mounted in the center console, electrically heated and adjustable rear seats, walnut veneer folding tables, two crystal glasses neatly placed in the coolbox, leg rests, and electronically operated sun shades all around the rear/side windows. Complete with independent heating and ventilation, it also added a second battery in the trunk and a second alternator to provide power for all these luxuries. The 'Highline' option package cost more than 20,000 DM, and was only available on the 750iL, bringing the total price to well over twice that of a base model 730i.[37]

Goldfisch prototype

The Goldfisch, also called the 767 or the "Secret Seven" internally, is a concept full size luxury car based on the E32 750i. Conceived by Dr. Karlheinz Lange in the late 1980s, it was meant to be the top-of-the line variant of the 7 Series also designed to compete with offerings from rival Mercedes-Benz. Dr. Lange also involved two other employees in the project, namely Adolf Fischer and Hanns-Peter Weisbarth both being senior employees. The concept car was completed in just six months. The main notable feature is the V16 engine designed by Adolf Fischer, which is essentially a modified M70 V12 enlarged to have four extra cylinders, capacity enlarged to 6.7-litres, etched iron pistons, nine-bearing crankshaft and having silicone-aluminium casting. The engine was fitted with Bosch DME 3.3 engine management system for better performance. Desired level of performance was achieved when the system treated the engine as two inline-8 engines bolted together. The resulting engine had a power output of 414 PS and 461 lbft of torque. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission shared with the E31 8 Series. The car had the engine cooling system located in the boot along with fabricated fibre glass gills and air scoops at the rear to aid in cooling as there was no space to accommodate them at the front as the resulting engine was 12 in longer than the V12 engine. Air was expelled through a custom made valence panel at the rear of the car which led to the use of small tail lights with no fog and reverse lights. Despite the usage of a large V16 engine, the car was only 60 kg heavier than the 750i. The Goldfisch could accelerate to 100 kph in a claimed 6 seconds and could attain a top speed of 175 mph. The car remained a technology demonstrator only and was never put into production due to the V16 engine being incompliant to the environmental regulations.[38][39]

BMW 7 Series (E32)

Development and production

Features

Engines

Styling

Models

Alpina models

Special models

750iL Highline

Goldfisch prototype

References