BMW 740e iPerformance on sale in Australia from $229,000

Alexi Falson

BMW has confirmed the 740e iPerformance luxury sedan will arrive in Australia “late-2016”, coming in as the first high-end model under the new iPerformance sub-brand.

BMW 740e iPerformance-front

It is powered by a 190kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit and 83kW/250Nm liquid-cooled synchronous electric motor, producing a combined 240kW and 650Nm of torque. BMW has thrown out the sports automatic transmission in favour of its eight-speed steptronic unit instead.

The 740e iPerformance has an all-electric range of 48km, and can travel up to 140km/h on the 9.2kWh batteries alone, having benefitted from battery-cell technologies from the development of its i3 and i8 vehicles.

This translates into a 0-100km/h run in just 5.4 seconds – not bad for what is essentially a limousine. Despite the brisk acceleration, BMW claims a combined cycle consumption of just 2.2L/100km, emitting just 50g/km of CO2, proving best in its respective class in EU test cycle results.

BMW says the 9.2kWh capacity lithium-ion battery can utilise as much of 7.4kWh of its total capacity, and can be fully charged in a standard 230-volt socket in five hours. BMW’s new ELECTRIC program offers customers to opt for its I Wallbox, which can fully charge the 740e in just 2.5 hours thanks to a 3.7kW charging rate at 16 amps. BMW customers who opt for the ChargeNow card can also use public charging stations. BMW is offering a six-year/100,000km warranty for its high voltage battery system.

BMW 740e iPerformance-interior

As you can probably expect for a car with a starting price at a quarter of a million dollars, you’ll get a lot of equipment as standard. 19-inch wheels, 16-speaker Harman/Kardon surround sound system, a heated steering wheel, as well as seats and armrests, adaptive two-axle air suspension, adaptive LED headlamps, Nappa leather, M Sport package, and a whole lot more are all thrown in. Other highlights are outlined below.

Optional extras include a nearly endless range of personal touches for the interior, as well as comfort seats which can recline up to 42.5 degrees, massaging seats, a heat comfort package and rear entertainment package which includes two 10-inch screens, BluRay drive and digital television package.

The BMW 740e will be available in late 2016, with prices starting at $229,000 (plus on-road costs). Marc Werner, BMW’s Australian CEO said;

“The new 7 Series has already set new benchmarks for innovation in its segment. Now with the 740e iPerformance, we reinforce our commitment to a greener future, without sacrificing the performance and luxury expected of our 7 Series flagship.”

The addition of the 740e iPerformance marks BMW’s third member of BMW’s environmentally conscious sub-brand, iPerformance, following the introduction of the X5 xDrive40e and 330e sedan.

  • 19-inch light-alloy Wheels
  • BMW Display Key
  • BMW Touch Command
  • Lane Change Warning with Steering Assist
  • Exterior Design Pure Excellence
  • 16-speaker harman/kardon surround sound system (16 speakers)
  • Heat comfort package, front (heated seats for driver and front passenger, heated armrests for centre console, driver and front passenger doors and steering wheel heating)
  • Instrument panel finished in leather
  • Interior Design Pure Excellence
  • Nappa leather upholstery
  • Professional Navigation with Gesture Control
  • Side Blinds, electric
  • M Sport package (no-cost option)
  • Further standard specification
  • Adaptive 2-axle air suspension
  • Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Selective Beam
  • Eight-speed Sports automatic transmission with Steptronic
  • Driving Experience Control with ECO PRO mode (including ADAPTIVE mode)
  • Servotronic steering
  • Intelligent Emergency Call
  • TeleServices
  • Remote Services
  • Real Time Traffic Information
  • Concierge Services
  • Internet
  • Active seat ventilation, front
  • Active Park Distance Control, front and rear
  • Comfort Access System, including contactless opening/closing of rear tailgate
  • Comfort seats for driver and front passenger including lumbar support
  • Digital Radio DAB+
  • Driving Assistant Plus (Lane Change and Lane Departure Warning, Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Forward Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning with light city braking function, Crossing-traffic Warning (front and rear), Rear Collision prevention and Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go function)
  • Head Up Display
  • Parking Assistant
  • Rear View Camera
  • Soft-close function for doors
  • Sport leather steering wheel with Gearshift Paddles
  • Sunblinds, rear and rear side electric
  • Surround View with 360 degree function and panorama view
  • Voice control
  • Glass Sunroof
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