Details revealed for BMW's plug-in 740e

BMW has outlined specifications and performance data for its eco-friendly 7 Series range, which BMW Australia is evaluating for the local market.

Named the 740e, the extended-range electric model will be released in global markets later in the year. Three variants will all feature a frugal 'TwinPower' turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine supplementing the electric motor.

As with other plug-in hybrid models – including BMW's own X5 variant and the 330e – the 740e only resorts to petrol power when the driver demands high performance, or if the charge runs low in the battery supplying power for the electric motor.

Otherwise, the 740e provides all-electric, emission-free mobility.

The range comprises three variants: the short-wheelbase 740e, the long-wheelbase 740Le and the all-wheel drive 740Le xDrive, also a stretched-wheelbase model. All three are also tagged iPerformance, drawing a parallel with BMW's 'i' models, such as the i3 EV and the i8 plug-in supercar.

The smart energy management system on board the 740e allows the combustion engine and electric motor to work in unison or independently for optimum performance and fuel saving. With a fully-charged battery the BMW boasts an electric range of 44-48 kilometres for the rear-wheel drive variants, or 41-45 kilometres for the all-paw 740Le xDrive iPerformance.

Power for the combustion engine and electric motor peaks at 190kW, making it the BMW's most powerful series-production four-cylinder engine. That's boosted further by the output from the electric motor, 83kW.

Using both drive units, the SWB 740e rushes from 0 to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds. Extra weight in the LWB versions lengthens the time to 5.5 seconds.

BMW claims the 740Le draws electric power from its 7.4kWh lithium-ion battery at a rate ranging from 13.3 to 12.6kWh, according to prevailing conditions. For the short-wheelbase 740e the power consumption in EV mode – which can be selected manually from an eDrive button – ranges from 13.3 to 12.5kWh.

According to the manufacturer, the 740e and 740Le models can be fully recharged from a domestic power outlet in less than four hours.

When the cars begin reaching the market, they'll come equipped as standard with LED headlights, connected drive navigation and smartphone integration. Other standard features are shared with conventional 7 Series variants, and include iDrive, gesture control, a touch-screen infotainment display, plus safety features like parking assistant, head-up displays, surround view, driving assistant and driving assistant plus.