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2006 BMW 7-Series Review
Dynamically, an ultimate driving machine.
2006 7-Series Review Summary & Specifications
The BMW 7 Series is so smooth that full days behind the wheel are not taxing, and it's very comfortable in heavy commuter traffic. It's easy to drive this car well, even on winding mountain roads, and few luxury sedans can keep up with it at high speeds. The interior is sumptuous. And these cars are stuffed with the latest technology. Dynamically, this may be the best car in the class. That's no small feat, given that the competition includes some of the best, most expensive cars in the world. But some of the technology sometimes seems to be more of a distraction than an aid.NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Tom Lankard reported from Sacramento, California, with Mitch McCullough reporting from Los Angeles and San Antonio.
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| Vehicle Category | Luxury Cars |
| Editor | New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup | BMW 750i ($71,800); 750Li ($75,800); 760i ($111,500) $760Li ($118,900) |
| Engines (standard) | 4.8-liter dohc 32-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 6-speed automatic with Steptronic |
| Engines (optional) | 360-hp, 4.8-liter, dohc, 32-valve V8; 438-hp 6.0-liter dohc 48-valve V12 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 6-speed, Steptronic automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | dual frontal airbags; dual front knee airbags; dual front door-mounted side-impact airbags; Head Protection System full cabin curtain-style airbags; front safety belts with automatic pre-tensioning and force limiters; front-seat active head restraints; automatic-locking retractors for all safety belts for child-restraint seats; child safety seat anchors (LATCH); anti-lock brake system; Dynamic Brake Control; electronic brake proportioning; traction control; Dynamic Stability Control |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | rear side-impact airbags ($385) |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Dingolfing, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-831-1117 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.bmwusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 71800 |
| Model Tested MSRP | BMW 750Li ($75,800) |
| Standard Equipment | dual-zone automatic climate control with activated-charcoal microfilter ventilation and pollutant/odor-activated automatic recirculation; leather upholstery with microperforated seating surfaces; matte-finish, American walnut genuine wood trim; iDrive system with DVD-based, GPS navigation, on-board computer, climate controls and audio controls; Front Comfort Seats with 20-way power adjustments, articulated upper backrests, passenger-seat memory, active head restraints with adjustable side support; BMW Assist emergency communications; power two-way moonroof with key-off and one-touch operation; keyless entry with selective unlocking; dual, power, heated, auto-dimming, folding outside mirrors with selectable right-side tilt-down for reverse; universal, programmable garage door opener; enhanced interior lighting system; locking glovebox with removable, rechargeable flashlight; leather power tilt/telescope steering wheel with programmable fingertip cruise, audio and phone controls; climate-controlled front console compartment with coinholder, trunk-release lockout and illumination; AM/FM/CD audio with 10 speakers |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Adaptive Ride Package with self-leveling rear suspension and electronic shock damping ($1900); Convenience Package with soft-close, automatic doors and power trunk opening and closing ($1000); Luxury Seating Package with three-stage ventilated and heated front seats and heated rear seats ($1450); Rear Comfort Seats with 20-way, power adjustments and heated with active ventilation ($3500); Premium Sound Package with 13 speakers, DSP, 6-disc in-dash CD changer and 2 subwoofers ($1800); Rear Entertainment Package with rear-seat monitor and iDrive controller and trunk-mounted, six-DVD changer ($2200); Sirius satellite radio ($595); power rear sunshade ($750); 19-inch alloy wheels ($1300) |
| Destination Charge | 695 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 91140 |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 360 @ 6300 |
| Torque | 360 @ 3400 |
| Fuel Economy | 17/25 |
| Wheelbase | 117.7 |
| Length/Width/Height | 198.4/74.9/58.7 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 39.7 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.2/59.3/41.3 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.5/58.7/37.2 |
| Trunk Volume | 18.0 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | strut-type independent, coil springs, twin-tube gas-pressurized shocks, Active Roll Stabilization, Electronic Damping Control |
| Rear Suspension | four-link independent, self-leveling air springs, twin-tube gas-pressurized shocks, Active Roll Stabilization, Electronic Damping Control |
| Ground Clearance | |
| Curb Weight | 4552 |
| Stock Tires | 245/45WR19 / 275/40WR19 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/vented disc with ABS, Dynamic Brake Control, electronic brake proportioning |
| Fuel Capacity | 23.3 |
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