The Diesel (Nonetheless) Makes A Lot Of Sense

European gross sales charts appear to indicate that diesels in passenger vehicles are on their method out. Lower than 10% of all new vehicles purchased on the continent final yr drank from the black pump, which is down from over 50% ten years in the past. As a born and raised European, I’ve a passion for turbocharged oil burners, so I’ve combined emotions about this, and there are nonetheless some incredible diesels on the market. One in every of them lies below the hood of the newest BMW 740d.

If you happen to’re studying this on the opposite aspect of the Atlantic, you’re in all probability considering a diesel in a big flagship sedan is a fallacy. Nevertheless, we’ve been shopping for diesel luxo barges for many years, and we nonetheless love them right here. The 740d, primarily based on the G70, is simply the newest in a protracted line of seven Collection diesels, and even in 2025, I believe it nonetheless is smart. Let me clarify.

Diesel Energy

The engine that powers the G70 diesel is the B57 3-liter straight six, which on this 40d utility makes 296 hp (300 PS) and 494 lb-ft (670 Nm) of torque. Its muscular really feel and smoothness is enhanced by the addition of a 48-volt delicate hybrid system, which integrates a small electrical motor that gives additional torque, smoother engine startups and enhanced effectivity.

BMW has lowered the output of the 740d variant in comparison with the earlier technology, the G11, which made 335 hp (340 PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm). As a result of it was additionally round 496 kilos (225 kg) lighter, it’s no shock that it might dash to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5 seconds, or eight-tenths faster than the G70. I’ve by no means pushed a G11 740d delicate hybrid, however it should really feel fairly a bit faster.

The character of the BMW six-cylinder diesel is identical, although. Whereas the facility and torque figures might not appear significantly spectacular by at present’s requirements, the 740d feels keen and highly effective out on the street, and if you punch it, it has greater than sufficient tempo both from a standstill or a rolling begin.

The noise you hear contained in the cabin is nice and splendid, nothing like the economic farm gear that runs on the identical gasoline. Having a diesel below the hood doesn’t make the G70 any much less luxurious than every other powertrain configuration, and it additionally has the benefit of low gasoline consumption.

Nice Gas Consumption

BMW quotes the 740d, which will get xDrive all-wheel drive as customary, at between 38.5 and 34.6 mpg (6.1 and 6.8 l/100km), which is outstanding for such an enormous barge. Throughout my drive, I achieved a median of 29.8 mph (7.9 l/100km) driving principally on the town. That’s just like what my 2010 320d with a handbook will get in the identical situations, so the truth that this can be a a lot greater automobile with a much bigger engine with two extra cylinders is spectacular.

Having beforehand pushed two i7s and a 750e, I can say I’ve skilled the G70 with different engines, and, whereas this may occasionally come as a shock to you, the 740d could be my choose with its mix of torque, effectivity and effortlessness. I additionally actually like the way in which it sounds and the low-revving nature of diesels, which lends any automotive a extra relaxed character and plenty of pleasant low-down pulling energy.

Supremely Comfy

The remainder of the G70 package deal I’m fairly accustomed to and am a fan of. As a result of BMW not affords brief and stretched variations of the 7 Collection, the usual mannequin rides on a 126.6-inch (3.215-meter) wheelbase, which is nearly six inches longer than within the G11. This not solely makes the inside really feel extra roomy, however it additionally improves trip consolation, and with the usual rear-wheel steering system, it feels agile and never as daunting as you may suppose when maneuvering in tight areas.

Mix this semi-extended wheelbase with customary air suspension and also you get a automotive with a very excellent trip. Whereas in earlier 7 Collection generations, you possibly can argue the BMW had a barely firmer and harsher trip than its most important rival the Mercedes S-Class, it’s not the case with the G70.

Actually, this may occasionally have been reversed with the W223 S-Class being the sportier and extra hunkered-down feeling of the 2. The G70 is about as sporty to drive as considered one of BMW’s SUVs, which is partly a byproduct of the automobile being noticeably taller than any earlier technology of the mannequin, but in addition the overall dimension and heft of the automobile.

Using round in a G70 doesn’t really feel too dissimilar to being inside a Rolls-Royce. You sit up excessive, the cabin is fantastically assembled and it does an outstanding job of isolating you from the surface world and with totally automated doorways that open or shut on the contact of a button (or haptic panel), the Rolls-Royce comparability doesn’t appear in any respect far-fetched.

Mile Muncher

My tester additionally had the elective M pack, which isn’t one thing you want on a 7 Collection, however it brings sportier bumpers and totally different wheel designs, in addition to a sport steering wheel inside. There’s apparently some software program tuning of the suspension that comes with this selection, however it didn’t appear to make a lot of a distinction on this automotive that pitches, dives and rolls backward and forward like a real luxo barge ought to.

This delicate and floaty really feel to the suspension is the explanation you purchase a automotive like this, and whereas the most effective place within the automotive is the rear proper seat, it’s additionally numerous enjoyable to drive. You will get 48-volt lively roll stabilization within the G70, however my tester didn’t have it, and I didn’t miss it—the pronounced physique motion gave the automotive some additional character.

Driving this automotive on longer distances is extremely enjoyable and special-feeling. I actually can’t stress sufficient how good the trip is on this automotive, even on huge 21-inch wheel. It feels able to take you all the way in which throughout the continent with out both it otherwise you breaking a sweat. And despite the fact that you’re seemingly wealthy sufficient to not care about gasoline effectivity, this automotive returns below 6 l/100km when pushed continually at freeway speeds, regardless of its weight and large frontal space.

How BMW made one thing that appears like this have a drag coefficient of 0.26 is spectacular and it partly explains why there isn’t a perceivable wind noise contained in the automotive, even at excessive speeds. The elective acoustic glass with double glazing additionally performs its half right here and is a must have on a 7 Collection. Whereas cruising, you don’t actually hear the engine a lot or really feel any vibrations from it, and you’ll merely benefit from the trip and the superb Bowers&Wilkins Diamond sound system. If you happen to’re within the again, you’re handled to one of many largest screens within the enterprise, a 41-inch 8K TV that retracts when not in use.

Hanging Outdoors, Fancy Inside

The design of the G70’s inside could also be an enormous departure from what BMW has been doing for the final twenty years, however when you get used to the futuristic minimalism, it begins to really feel cozy and cosseting. There’s definitely numerous magnificence in having such a easy and monolithic trying dashboard and the crystal ambient lighting strip that runs its width provides to the ambiance. There appears to have been nice consideration paid to mixing and matching the totally different supplies (leather-based, steel, wooden and plastic).

With the Gran Lusso BMW Particular person pack, the automotive will get leather-based in every single place, together with on the dashboard, the door playing cards and just about anywhere you see. It additionally provides an Alcantara headliner and upgrades the upholstery to Merino leather-based. After experiencing the cashmere wool upholstery, the most costly on the G70, in an i7, leather-based won’t ever really feel fairly as luxurious, however it felt incredible in my tester.

One Of The Greatest Luxurious Vehicles Ever Made

Whereas the G70 won’t go down in historical past because the prettiest 7 Collection—I believe that distinction goes to the E38—it’s unquestionably among the many perfect luxurious vehicles ever made. I hope the soon-to-be-revealed facelift softens the outside barely as a result of it presently shouts about its presence a bit an excessive amount of. Not all 7 Collection consumers need to flaunt their wealth and a few want a extra understated model of luxurious that it presently can’t supply.

One factor the G70 has in frequent with earlier generations is that having a diesel below the hood doesn’t deliver any notable drawbacks. You frankly wouldn’t be capable to inform it’s a diesel even at idle. Actually, I encourage you to think about the diesel of the G70 you’re configuring proper now (should you’re from Europe) as a result of diesels might quickly be phased out and also you’ll be driving round in a bit of historical past.