BMW 7 Series (E32)

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]

Other automotive passenger vehicles features introduced with the E32 included: projector lens headlamps (1986); double glazed windows (1991); HID (Xenon) headlamps (1991).[12]

E32 also introduced BMW's first V8 engine since the BMW 501/502 (last produced in 1962), and their first V12 engine – which also made it the first V12-engined German car since the Maybach Zeppelin DS8 of 1939.

In 1994, the E32 was replaced by the E38, a clear evolution of the E32.

Development and production

Styling was by chief stylist Ercole Spada and Hans Kerschbaum working under chief designer Claus Luthe.[13] Design work began in late 1979. By 1983, 1:1 scale models were presented and frozen in October 1984 for production which was scheduled in June 1986.[14][15] In a later interview with then BMW chief engineer Wolfgang Reitzle, it was revealed that a last-minute decision was taken to widen the car by 40mm in order to improve its stance, and to develop a V12 engine, which would give the new 7-series a competitive advantage over the Mercedes S-Class. Reitzle persuaded BMW management, despite the fact that press tooling for the bodyshell had already been manufactured, and scrapping it would cost an estimated 300 million Deutsche Mark, and would push out the car's release date by a year.

Production of the E32 7 series started with the 735i in June 1986 and the 730i in December 1986, concluding in April 1994 with a total of 311,068 units built.[16][17]

Features

Some luxury options featured on the E32 include integrated telephone and fax machines, a wine cooler, electronically adjustable rear seats and radio controls for rear passengers (exclusive to the 750iL).[12]

In 1991, first series-production low beam Xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps (Litronic, only low beam) were introduced on the 750iL.[18][19] Other safety features include a system that automatically increased spring pressure on the windscreen wipers in five stages, to keep them firmly pressed on the glass at motorway speeds.[7]

The E32 was the first BMW available with traction control (marketed as Automatic Stability Control, though not considered stability control by more modern standards). Initial versions of ASC reduced wheelspin by reducing engine power, while later versions (ASC+T) also applied the rear brakes.[20]

The E32 was also available in a long-wheelbase version (indicated by an 'L' from German Lang, after the model number) with an extra 11.4 cm of rear leg room.[21].

Engines

Over its lifespan, the E32 7 Series was produced with straight-six, V8 and V12 gasoline engines.

The launch models consisted of the 730i/iL and 735i/iL, which were powered by the M30 straight-six engine. In June 1987, the 12-cylinder 750i/iL was added to the lineup. This could be distinguished by being fitted with a grille with wider "kidneys", as well as by having rectangular exhaust tips. The rated power output of the 4988 cc M70 V12 is 220 kW.[22]

In 1991, BMW began production of its first V8 engine since the end of BMW 501/502 production in 1962.[23] This M60 V8 was introduced in the E32, along with the E34 5 Series. The 4.0 litre version powered the new 740i/iL models, and the 3.0 litre version was sold in parallel with the M30 straight-six in the 730i/iL models.[24] The top speed of the 740i was electronically limited to 240 km/h.[25] Both V8 engines were coupled to a new, 5-speed automatic transmission made by ZF. The Nikasil bore lining used in the M60 engine was prone to damage when used with high-sulfur fuels.

Styling

The E32 was the first BMW to use L-shaped tail-lights, which were designed with safety of following traffic in mind.[26] Other styling features include a Hofmeister kink in the rear window line and circular headlights.[8] A narrow variant of BMW's kidney grille correlated with 6-cylinder models, and a wider grille was standard for the V8 and V12 models.[27]

Models

The official specifications are as follows.[4][5][25][28][29][30][31]

* uncatalyzed

** Electronically limited top speed

Alpina models

The Alpina B11 3.5 is based on the E32 735i and introduced in 1987 with a 254 PS inline-six engine.[32] Between 1987 and 1993 a total of 332 cars were produced.[33]

The Alpina B11 4.0 is based on the E32 740i with a modified engine producing 315 PS[34] (compared with 210 kW for the 740i) and 410 Nm of torque.[35] Just 7 cars were made in 1993 and 1994.

The Alpina B12 5.0 is based on the E32 750i/750iL and uses a modified V12 engine producing 350 PS[36] (compared with 220 kW for the 750i/750iL) and 470 Nm of torque.[33] A total of 305 cars were made.

Special models