Dynamic Drive and EDC-C offer optimum driving safety and motoring comfort

Dynamic Drive active suspension introduced on the current 7 Series for the first time allows infinitely adjustable Electronic Damper Control and features air suspension with automatic self-leveling on the rear axle – and this highly advanced suspension system is also available on the new diesel models.

Dynamic Drive active suspension is a highlight in international suspension technology combining the superior driving comfort of a 7 Series luxury performance saloon with the equally superior dynamism and power of the Z8 sports car. While the system largely neutralizes any bumps or roughness on straight stretches of the road, it suppresses or reduces body roll in bends, thus ensuring supreme agility and stability under all driving conditions, the car literally “hugging” the road beneath.

In city traffic, for example, Dynamic Drive eliminates virtually all body sway and on the motorway the driver and his passengers proceeding in a straight line will enjoy a standard of suspension comfort close to perfect. In long, stretched-out bends, finally, the BMW 7 Series remains unerringly on course with virtually no body roll or pitch.

Dynamic Drive is available either by itself or in combination with Electronic Damper Control (EDC-C), a second active system enabling the driver of the BMW 7 Series to enhance the driving comfort and stability of his car to an even higher level. EDC-C – where the last letter stands for “continuous” – consistently and infinitely adjusts the damping effect to road and dynamic driving conditions. So regardless of whether you are driving on a bumpy country road or an ultra-smooth motorway, body vibrations are dampened with maximum efficiency, following the principle of “as much comfort as possible, as much driving stability as necessary”. In their features, therefore, EDC-C and Dynamic Drive thus form a unique team offering an equally unique synthesis of sporting performance and motoring comfort.

Supreme safety thanks to ISIS and advanced ITS technology

Some of the features guaranteeing supreme passive safety in the 7 Series are the ITS side/head airbags developed to an even higher standard, active headrests at the front, and the extremely fast ISIS safety network.

ISIS ensures highly efficient and very quick exchange and transmission of all crash-relevant safety data by applying a decentralized, intelligent sensor concept activating the individual components more quickly, precisely and selectively. In practice this means that ISIS gives the car’s occupants two fundamental benefits versus conventional systems: It responds more quickly and individually, and in the event of a crash it actuates the right airbag with the right intensity at the right time.

In a collision from the side, the occupants sitting on the outer seats are protected not only by the side airbags in the doors, but also by two head airbags in the roof frame now developed to an even higher standard. Advanced ITS, as the system is called, combines two benefits in one: First, the head airbag efficiently takes up impacts from outside; second, a so-called curtain helps to absorb forces over a large area and at the same time protects the occupants from parts entering from outside such as glass splinters.

iDrive and voice control also in the diesel

By introducing the iDrive control concept in the new 7 Series, BMW has opened up a new era in driver orientation and vehicle control.

The system offers a unique range of functions all masterminded by a very simple and straightforward control concept with the number of buttons and switches reduced to a minimum. The controls the driver needs most, therefore, are arranged in and around the steering wheel, with some basic functions frequently required being accommodated in the middle of the instrument panel. Most other functions are activated for the first time by the Controller fitted in the center console, which ensures intuitive control of all functions in an efficient dialogue with the Control Display. The driver is also able to call up very many functions in the dialogue mode by voice control which now operats with a far higher standard of quality. Indeed, the entire voice control system has been upgraded to allow the addition of updates and new functions in future.

Unique comfort – from the seats to the parking brake

One of the absolute highlights of the 7 Series is personalized, individual comfort. The customer decides how he would like to drive and the seats – particularly the high-tech comfort seats – adjust accordingly.

The electrically adjustable multi-function comfort seats at the front and the comfort seats at the rear also electrically adjustable are absolutely unique in the market through their wide range of adjustment options and additional features, such as active seat ventilation and the active seat function soothing the passenger’s back.

Even in standard trim, however, the BMW 7 Series offers a wide range of innovative comfort features: One example is the unique comfort parking brake serving not only to provide the conventional parking function, but also preventing the car automatically from creeping in stop-and-go traffic and acting at the same time as a very effective emergency brake system. Another example is the infinite-position door retainer now holding the door in position at any conceivable angle in order to avoid even the slightest risk of damage or discomfort. And last but not least there is the Key Memory function on each driver’s personal key, automatically moving the seat and setting the air conditioning to their desired position when the driver opens the central locking.

The other standard and optional features available on both diesel models are largely the same as on the 8-cylinder petrol versions. And the final point to be noted here is that both diesel models come exclusively with standard wheelbase.

Tradition and future: BMW diesels set the standard

In introducing the new DI engines on the 7 Series, BMW is continuing its tradition of setting the standard in diesel technology.

This tradition goes back to the first diesel BMW launched in 1983, the 524td with a 2.5-liter 6-cylinder turbo diesel featuring turbulence chamber fuel injection and offering maximum output of 85 kW/115 bhp – which quickly gave it the reputation of being a genuine sports diesel. Even back then, BMW’s decision to choose diesel technology followed a clear orientation, every BMW diesel being required to offer the features typical of the brand and responsible for the success of BMW’s spark ignition engines: performance and agility, comfort and economy.

The world’s first electronic diesel management system revolutionizes engine technology.
In 1987 BMW became the first carmaker in the world to introduce Digital Diesel Electronics (DDE) in the 324td. This all-electronic digital engine management control revolutionized the ongoing development of diesel technology, the innovations we see today such as turbulence chamber, pre-chamber or direct-injection technology all being based on this bold step into the future. At the same time DDE was an important prerequisite for introducing electronically controlled automatic transmission and driving stability systems in the diesel. Electronic management controls both emissions and fuel consumption, engine noise and motoring refinement far more precisely and quickly than a mechanical system. Taking numerous parameters into account, therefore, DDE was able for the first time, using map control, to inject exactly the right amount of fuel at the right time as a function of operating requirements. And to this very day, the high standard of accuracy ensured by DDE throughout the entire running life of the engine remains an important prerequisite for maintaining emission standards now becoming increasingly stringent the world over.

6-cylinder turbo diesel marks the new peak in power and performance

At the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show BMW again set the standard, presenting the oxidation catalyst for the diesel engine. Two years later this was followed by a newly developed 2.5-liter 6-cylinder turbo diesel featuring intercooler technology and developing 105 kW/143 bhp as the most powerful diesel in its class.

Featured in the 525tds, this engine was also available without intercooler technology, engine output dropping in this case to 85 kW or 115 bhp. In 1994 BMW added a 4-cylinder to the diesel family, the 1.7-liter turbo diesel with intercooler in the 318tds developing maximum output of 66 kW/90 bhp. And in early 1995 BMW became the first manufacturer to offer Automatic Stability Control (ASC+T) in a diesel passenger car, ensuring additional traction and slip control.
1998: BMW’s first direct-injection power unit sets the standard.

Together with the new 3 Series saloon entering the market in spring 1998, BMW introduced an all-new generation of 4-, 6- and 8-cylinder engines with direct fuel injection. The first model was the highly successful two-liter 4-cylinder in the 320d featuring a high-pressure distributor-type injection pump, a VNT turbocharger, intercooler and four-valve technology. Maximum output was 100 kW/136 bhp, maximum torque 280 Newton meters/206 lb-ft. And the engine also ranked right at the top in terms of fuel economy, emission management and motoring comfort.

Half a year after the debut of the 320d, the 530d and 730d continued this story of success: Their three-liter power unit for the first time featuring common rail technology developed maximum output of 135 kW/184 bhp and maximum torque of 390 Newton meters/287 lb-ft in the 530d and, respectively, 410 Newton meters or 302 lb-ft in the 730d, again taking the lead in the market. Combined with classic in-line engine configuration, common rail technology provides ideal conditions not only for a high-comfort diesel, but also for superior performance on the road: The 730d accelerated from 0–100 km/h in 9.2 seconds and had a top speed of 220 km/h or 136 mph. Fuel consumption according to the EU standard was 8.7 liters/100 km or 22.5 mpg Imp.

The first 8-cylinder with common rail direct fuel injection

In 1999 the BMW 740d opened up a new dimension of powerful, refined and fuel-efficient motoring.

The world’s first 8-cylinder diesel engine with common rail direct fuel injection to enter series production with the first electronically controlled biturbo turbo charging system was a genuine muscle machine – 180 kW/245 bhp maximum output, 560 Newton meters/413 lb-ft maximum torque, fuel consumption 9.8 liters or 28.8 mpg Imp, acceleration from 0–100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, top speed 242 km/h or 150 mph.

Clearly, this lifted BMW’s top-of-the-range diesel into the luxury performance segment no diesel had ever been able to enter before. And in terms of comfort, performance and fuel efficiency, the combination of a V8 power unit and diesel technology opened up a new standard of motoring in our modern world.

In autumn 2001 the BMW 320d once again pioneered a new era of diesel technology: This was the first large-scale production engine to feature second-generation common rail fuel injection. Maximum output of this two-liter was 110 kW/150 bhp, maximum torque 330 Newton meters or 243 lb-ft. Fuel consumption, on the other hand, was down by 0.2 liters also thanks to the new DDE5 Digital Diesel Electronics.

The trendsetters enter their second generation

The second-generation common rail fuel injection once again gives the new 730d and 740d significantly more power and torque from both 6- and 8-cylinders.

And at the same time the engines are once again quieter and more refined than their predecessors, with a significant increase in dynamics as well as superior agility in following the gas pedal, thanks to the engine in combination with the six-speed automatic transmission.

In summary, the new 7 Series diesels, offering qualities of this kind, rank right at the top of the diesel range and once again prove BMW’s competence in diesel motoring. Indeed, this competence is now acknowledged by an increasing number of BMW customers the world over, with sales of BMW 3, 5 and 7 Series diesels amounting to approximately 1,500,000 between 1983 and August 2002. And the trend is pointing up – quickly and significantly.

Source: BMW Group press release, BMW at the Mondial de l’Automobile, September 2002.