Produced from April 1994 to 2001, the BMW E38 was the third generation of the BMW 7 Series. The flagship represented an attractive evolution in design language of the prior E32 generation. The new 7 was available with straight-six, V8 and V12 petrol and straight-six and V8 diesel engines. In 2001, the E38 was replaced by the E65 7 Series.
The E38 was the first car available with curtain airbags. It was also the first European car to offer satellite navigation and the first BMW to offer an in-built television. The E38 was the first 7 Series to be available with a diesel engine.
In early 1988, development began on the third generation of the 7 Series. From 1988 to 1990 styling work was done initially under design director Claus Luthe (through April 1990, taken over by Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle), when Boyke Boyer's concept design was chosen and further refined into production form.
In February 1991, the final production design for the new 7 Series was approved by the board 36 months ahead of scheduled start of production for February 17, 1994. On April 27, 1993 German design patents were filed featuring a pre-production prototype as a design representation. Patents were later filed on October 27, 1993 in the United States.
Production started on July 23, 1993 on pilot production models and US specification variants on January 13, 1994, with series production commencing in April 1994 for June 1994 domestic German launch with the 730i and 740i. US-specification cars entered production in September 1994, for November 1994 launch. On February 18, 1994, the E38 BMW 7 Series was unveiled for the 1995 model year via a BMW press release. The 750i production began in November 1994, in advance of its January 1995 launch.
The last E38 (a silver 740i with a black leather interior) rolled off BMW's assembly line on July 27, 2001 to make way for the replacement E65 7 Series.
Safety features include ASC+T traction control, headlight washers, auto-leveling low beam xenon HID headlamps. Side tubular airbags (called "Head Protection System") were fitted as standard equipment. "Active Comfort Seats" were introduced in 1998, to improve comfort and reduce fatigue for the driver and front passenger. This system uses two fluid-filled bladders which alternate in height.
Other equipment includes Electronic Damper Control (called EDC III), power moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, dual zone climate control, electric drivers seat adjustment and electric steering wheel adjustment.
Double glazed windows were available (called "dual pane glass"). Break resistant laminated "security glass" was also available, which is known to delaminate. The delamination occurred with the Protection S357A option only, not with normal S352A dual pane windows.Bullet-resistant glass was used for the Protection model, with even thicker glass used for the Security model.
The Sport Package included a sport steering wheel, sports seats, sports suspension, "shadowline" exterior trim and unique wood trim for the interior. Some sports models also included a shorter differential ratio and higher stall speed for the torque converter.This allowed for a 0-97 km/h (60and nbsp;mph) acceleration time of 5.9 seconds.
The E38 was the first European car to be available with satellite navigation, a system called CARIN developed by BMW and Philips.
The in-car entertainment (radio, audio system, satellite navigation, television and communications systems) are part of an automotive communication system called I-bus.
A "multi-function" steering wheel, with controls for the audio, phone, cruise control and air recirculation, was standard equipment.
A 5-speed ZF 5HP automatic transmission was available on all models.
In some markets, a 5-speed manual transmission was available for the 728i, 730i, 735i and a 6-speed for the 740i.
From 1997 to 2001, BMW sold an extended wheelbase limousine model called the L7. The wheelbase was extended by 25 cm (9.8 in) over the "iL" models, resulting in an overall length of 5.37 m (211 in). Features included electrically adjustable rear seats, rear footrests, fold down rear trays, a fridge, rear television screen, video player, fax machine.
Based on the 750iL with a 12-cylinder engine, the L7 has a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The L7 was only available in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe, and 899 examples were built. The 2000-2001 models had an optional "privacy window" glass partition to separate the driver from the rear passengers.
The armoured "Protection Line" vehicles were built from 2000–2001, based on the 740iL and 750iL models. Security features include body armor, bullet-resistant glass and run-flat tires. An intercom system is provided to communicate with people outside the vehicle while the windows and doors are shut.
A High-Security version with protection up to B6/7 was also available in Europe, known internally as the 750iL S. The additional security measures brought an additional weight of 950 kg (2,094 lb) compared to the normal 750iLFeatures include explosive cord around the windshield allowing removal of the windshield facilitating escape through it,Hydraulically actuated windows, A gas sensor that can detect irritants like CS gas and respond by turning the blower motor off closing the fresh air flaps and all windows, a fire suppression system triggered by either a button or the detection of extreme temperatures in the engine bay or the vicinity of the fuel tank, a breathing air system is also available which delivers air from a cylinder in the trunk, up to three firearms cases designed to fit a Heckler and Koch MP5K were also optionally available, and spherical gunports in the doors.
On May 11, 2000, BMW presented a fleet of fifteen 750hL's in Berlin.Its twelve-cylinder hydrogen combustion engine can be operated on both hydrogen and petrol. In operation on hydrogen, it delivers 150 kW (201 hp; 204 PS), accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 226 km/h (140 mph).
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