Introduced at the urban center automobile Show in 2001 aboard the BMW E53 X5 four.6is, the BMW E65 seven Series replaced the BMW 7 Series (E38) when production of that model resulted in Gregorian calendar month 2001. so as to supply the E65 seven Series and alternative future models the BMW plant at Dingolfing was retooled at a value of roughly€500,000,000.
Upon unleash the new seven Series was met with sharp criticism for its debatable appearance in addition because thesteep learning curve given by the new iDrive system. therefore unaffected was the market with the new automotive that sales of remaining E38 stock inflated markedly when the launch. Despite the initial quality issues and client gripes the E65 seven Series became the popular generation of this lifesize luxury sedan, any increased by a facelift in 2006.
Initial unleash Development for the BMW E65 seven Series began in early 1996, and production specifications were frozen in Gregorian calendar month 1999. the planning of the BMW E65 seven Series was proprietary sixteen Nov 2000; development resulted in mid-2001. The automotive was initial launched in Europe terrorist organization 2001 then appeared in U.S.A. and alternative markets within the (northern) spring of 2002. Early BMW E65 seven Series models had several issuesprincipally thanks to the practicality of the iDrive system and therefore the associated natural philosophy systems. Thus, BMW repurchased a considerable quantity of 2002-03 seven Series cars within the U.S., and BMW of North America conjointly extended the mill guarantee on 2002-03 BMW E65 seven Series models from the 4-Year/50,000-Mile (80,000 km) coverage to the 6-Year/100,000-Mile (160,000 km) mill guarantee. However, GB models were still protected by their original 3-Year/Unlimited-Miles guarantee.
Under the direction of Chris Bangle, BMW's style Chief at the time, the arrival of the BMW E65 seven Series publicised a brand new styling era for BMW. the look of the new automobile contrasted dramatically with the styling on the BMW E38 seven Series. The BMW E65 seven Series' two-level seat styling with separate rear fenders for a "bustle-back" boot lid was scoffingly referred to as the "Bangle Butt" by critics. In fact, van Hooydonk's original sketch in 1998 for the BMW E65 was rather more of a radical sleek fastback, however the ultimate E65 profile was tempered significantly to a a lot of typical three-box sedan. Bangle was wide criticised for the novel departure of the styling from the BMW E38 seven Series. He was but supported by the BMW board of administrators, WHO needed to maneuver BMW's image into the longer term. Dan Neil of The la Times named the new 7-series one among the '50 Worst Cars of All Time', however Bangle argued that BMW's established style language was exhausted. Despite the at first poor public reception of the two-level seat, the look was later incorporated by Mercedes-Benz into the design of the W221 generation S-Class in 2006 and additionally by Hyundai within the fourth-generation Azera.
Dimensionally the E65 seven Series 45mm longer, 38mm wider and 60mm taller than the E38. The distance was accrued by 60mm over the outgoing model. Despite these accrued dimensions the E65 seven Series is barely fifteen kilo heavier than the E38.
Interior style
The interior of the BMW E65 seven Series options a generous quantity of real wood trim & was redesigned to deal with each the driving force and traveller, not like the standard driver-focussed board within the BMW E38 seven Series. BMW removed the standard console mounted gear selector commutation it with a steering-column mounted stalk, in favour of 2 cup holders. The seats adjustment controls were captive from their ancient place on the side of the seat base to the within of the raised central console, that many reviewers complained regarding the unnecessarily difficult nature of the controls. Peeling paint and rough materials are a well documented downside, therefore BMW self-addressed this issue by victimisation still higher quality paint within the LCI model.
Compared to the outgoing E38 model, the E65 seven Series has a lot of shoulder space within the front and also the rear, whereas headroom within the rear has been accrued for bigger comfort.
Technology
The BMW E65 seven Series was the foremost technically advanced production vehicle BMW had ever created at the time. because the flagship model, it introduced an oversized variety of latest technologies that were eventually carried over to succeeding generation of BMW's. The E65 seven Series introduced variety of latest technologies such as:
Valvetronic engine management (Variable valve elevate replaced throttle butterflies for traditional running conditions for additional response, potency and power).
World introduction of Active Roll Stabilization (ARS) active Anti-roll bars on a sedan (alternative designations: Dynamic Drive, accommodative Drive). ARS may be a revolutionary system that nearly fully eliminates body roll once cornering. It employs active anti-roll bars that use a hydraulic servo within the middle to actively counteract body roll. This leads to accrued comfort for passengers, and once in addition to Electronic Damper Control-Continuous (EDC-C) it raises comfort levels to new heights.
Self levelling air suspension on rear shaft for accrued comfort (optional)
Electronic Damper Control-Continuous (EDC-C)
Introduction of 2 fibre optic bus systems, MOST Bus (Media oriented System Transport) and "Byteflight" (safety systems bus). These busses operate at twenty two.5Mbps and 10Mbps severally.
The first introduction of the dedicated 'Body-Controller space Network' K-CAN bus system in operation at 100kbps, This replaced the slower (9.6kbps) I,K and P-Busses used on previous vehicles.
The first introduction of BMW's revolutionary iDrive system, the primary totally integrated series production vehicle systems controller.
World's initial infinitely variable manifold.
World introduction of electronic accommodative light source technology.
World's initial 6-speed transmission in a very sedan.
Optional Automatic Soft shut system decreased the force needed to shut the doors, and would fully shut them if improperly closed. this technique additionally extended to the lid, however not like the door system was commonplace on all models.
Electromechanical emergency. Not solely might this technique apply the emergency in stop-and-go traffic things to scale back tedium, however it might additionally mechanically apply the emergency when the ignition was transitioned.
First BMW with DVD-based GPS Automotive navigation system.
First BMW to feature Bi-Xenon (HID) headlights.
First BMW to feature 'Push-Button-Start'. the oblong key-fob was inserted into a slot next to the handwheel and also the driver would push a button to start out the engine. This technique of beginning the automobile would be the precursor for all future BMW models.
Radar based mostly Active control (ACC).
iDrive
The BMW E65 seven Series introduced the iDrive management conception. The system was engineered on hardware kind of like the MKIV system employed by BMW within the late 90's however featured a greenhorn interface and central management knob. several of the functions like climate, navigation, seat heating, telecom and automobile settings were incorporated into one system permitting centralised management of these functions. iDrive was nicknamed "I Don't grasp Drive" due to the steep learning curve and complex menu structures, with some sources claiming that it'd take many hours to become accustomed to the system. Complaints ranged from the quantity of steps needed to finish straightforward tasks like choosing a frequence to obtaining "lost" within the deep menu system. iDrive saw many updates throughout the assembly run to deal with complaints raised by homeowners. the primary generation of the system relied on CD media for map information. In 2003 BMW updated the hardware to scan DVD media, additional a well quicker processor and also the ability to show maps in birds-eye read. additionally additional in 2003 were a 'Menu' and 'Customisable' button below the management knob. This was done to deal with the complaints of 'getting lost' within the menus. The last major update to the system came with the LCI model in 2005 that additional buttons to the radio (ASK unit) that enabled skipping tracks or radio stations likewise as a mode button to alter in operation modes. A larger, brighter show was additional and quicker, a lot of advanced navigation hardware was introduced. The system additionally gained the potential to regulate a MP3 capable CD Changer. The interface was efficient to gibe the iDrive cardinal system. though it should seem similar in operate to the cardinal iDrive (introduced within the BMW E60 five Series and BMW E63/64 half-dozen Series), the iDrive system within the E65/66 is exclusive to solely that model. The system started a trend and nowadays most automobile makers supply in-car systems engineered around a central management knob (Audi Multi Media Interface, Mercedes-Benz Comand APS etc), a plan initial dropped at shoppers by BMW within the E65 seven Series.
Equipment
Depending on the country of sale the E65 seven Series came with a spread of ordinary instrumentality. All markets had iDrive as commonplace, though Navigation was facultative in sure markets. Climate management was commonplace, though twin zone climate management was offered as AN possibility. Seating choices ranged between basic, sport and luxury seats. the essential seats embrace 14-way electrical adjustment (12-way for passenger) and 4-way body part adjustment. Comfort seats embrace 20-way electrical adjustment, 4-way body part adjustment, 2 piece articulated back-rests, adjustable neck support, electrical headrests and memory choices accessible on each driver and traveller sides. the various seat variations along side choices for heating, cooling and massaging created for a unclear variety of configurable choices.
Other facultative instrumentality enclosed TV reception (digital TV in facelift models), Dynamic atomic number 54 headlamps, Vertical facet and rear electrical sun blinds, Front and rear heated or oxygenated seats, Comfort electrical rear seats with memory (featuring 18-way adjustment as apposed to 20-way at the front), Rear phonephone, cold cool box, Separate rear air-con, Rear seat amusement with separate digital display and iDrive controller, this gave rear passengers the management of the subsequent amusement features: half-dozen disc DVD multi-changer, half-dozen disc CD multi-changer (or iPod in facelift models), TV, DAB Tuner, Bluetooth telecom and Satellite Navigation. alternative choices enclosed, electrical front and rear soft-close doors, Automatic tailgate, keyless access and go (Comfort Access), accommodative damper management (EDC), Dynamic anti-roll bars (ARS), Glass sunshine-roof, Premium LOGIC seven electronic equipment.
Some European models in colder climates had the choice of a Webasto parking heater, that permits the vehicle to be warm up and pre-heated by means that of the device before the vehicle is started, this has the advantage of de-icing the vehicle and creating the inside a lot of supportable in atmospheric condition. Likewise in hotter climates it's potential to remotely begin the engine for the aim of activating the air-con to chill the inside of the vehicle before the vehicle is entered.
Long-Wheelbase seven Series (E66)
Long-Wheelbase versions of the BMW E65 seven Series were introduced within the finish of 2002. Long-Wheelbase models solely featured a extended body that meant further legroom within the rear seats. The height, dimension and bootspace of the automobile is that the same. In 2002, early Long-Wheelbase models enclosed the 730Li, 735Li, 745Li, and also the 760Li and 740Li was later introduced in 2003 and 2004 severally. Long-Wheelbase models were 140mm (5.5 in) longer compared to the conventional E65 seven Series models.
2005 Facelift (Life-Cycle-Impulse)
BMW started work on a facelift for the E65 seven Series in 2003, and was introduced on all BMW E65 seven Series models in 2005. occurring sale in March of that year, the facelift enclosed many new engines, new exterior styling and interior upholstery colors likewise as some new facultative extras. the bulk of changes to the automobile were technical in nature. Exterior styling changes enclosed a restyled front and rear bumper and a rather larger and a a lot of ee grill that was in line with the new BMW style language. The headlights were additionally fully restyled, whereas the light-weights|taillights|back lights|hind lights|tail lamps} featured changes to the trunk-lid-mounted section that was redesigned to make the looks of one emu as (opposed to the outgoing 2 half light design). Overall the restyled front served to offer the automobile a a lot of jazzy look. within the rear, the lid styling was subtly increased with the trunk unharness button being removed of sight and a diluent, a lot of elegant trying chrome strip flowing into the re-designed lights. Interior changes enclosed improved material and paint quality likewise as a restyled handwheel. The climate instrument panel was revised slightly. Overall the changes to the inside were minor and served principally to deal with quality considerations.
