BMW · 2008–2015

BMW 7 F01 F02

The fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series was manufactured and marketed by BMW from 2008 to 2015 in two full-size luxury sedans configurations: F01 (short-wheelbase) and F02 (long-wheelbase) configurations. The fifth generation is informally referred to collectively as the F01. The F01 was the first BMW with a hybrid drivetrain, 8-speed automatic transmission or turbocharged V12 engine. It was the second 7 Series marketed with a turbocharged petrol engine, after the European E23 745i), or all-wheel drive (marketed as xDrive). The wheelbase was increased by 8 cm over the outgoing 7 Series. BMW also marketed an F03 model as the "High Security 7 Series" armoured car as well as an F04 model as a "ActiveHybrid 7" hybrid-electric model. In July 2015, BMW transitioned production from the F01 to the BMW 7 Series (G11).

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: BMW E65 · Successor: BMW 7 Series (G11)

All BMW 7 F01 F02 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Development and launch

The car's exterior was designed by Karim Habib, retaining elements from its E65 7 Series predecessor. The headlamps were reminiscent to the E65 though smaller and the grille was both wider and larger, extending further into the front apron. The F01 7 Series was larger than its predecessor, adding 1.7 in (43.2 mm) to the overall length and 3.2 in (81.3 mm) to the wheelbase while gaining more weight. BMW presented the F01 at Moscow's Red Square on 8 July 2008. Other launch events included the Paris Motor Show in October and the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November.

Equipment

The F01 was available with rear-wheel steering (Integral Active Steering), all-wheel drive (xDrive), eight speed automatic transmission, pedestrian recognition for the night vision feature, blind spot monitoring, massage function for the rear seats and the radar cruise control system was now able to completely stop the car and accelerate from a standstill (Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go). Side cameras were fitted in the front bumper to assist with merging and exiting narrow spaces. By combining these cameras with the front and rear cameras, the F01 can display a virtual overhead graphic of the car to assist with parking. The instrument cluster has an LCD backdrop (with the gauge needles and rings still present as physical objects), allowing various graphics to be shown. A lane departure warning system - as fitted to the E60 5 Series since 2007 - was also available for the first time in a 7 Series. Departures from the non-traditional interior design of the E65 include the transmission shifter being relocated to the centre console (previously a stalk on the steering column) and the seat controls being relocated to the outside edge of the seat base (previously located in the centre console).

Engines

Official specifications are as follows. Petrol engines. * Top speed is electronically limited. ** The V12 engine for the F01 760i/Li was redesigned as a twin-turbocharged 6.0L (codenamed N74) in order to maintain a performance advantage over the 750i, which utilised a turbocharged V8 engine. In some markets, the V12 engine was only available in the long-wheelbase model. Diesel engines. * Top speed is electronically limited.

Special Models

=== High Security (F03) === The 750Li High Security and 760Li High Security models are the first cars to be certified with BRV 2009 and VR7 ballistics protection ratings. Security upgrades include undercarriage armour, 60 mm (2.4 in) thick multi-layer laminated glass and armour plating on the doors, roof, body pillars, front footwell and rear bulkhead. Due to the added weight of the security upgrades, suspension components such as the shock absorbers and strut tops were upgraded. Options included an intercom system between the passengers and the driver, an alarm, a fire extinguisher with temperature sensor, irritant gas sensors (to warn of dangerous gasses in the passenger area), a fresh-air supply system and a compartment for two machine guns in the centre console. The High Security models were unveiled in GPEC 2012. ActiveHybrid 7 (F04) (2010–2015). The ActiveHybrid 7 was the first BMW vehicle to use a hybrid drivetrain. The concept was unveiled as the Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid at the 2008 Paris Motor Show and the 2008 Los Angeles International Auto Show. The production version was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, and shown again later at the Monaco Yacht Show 2010. The production version called the ActiveHybrid 7 uses the engine from the 750i plus an electric motor rated at 15 kW (20 hp) and 210 N⋅m (155 lb⋅ft) of torque. The electric motor is integrated into the transmission housing, replacing the alternator and the starter. The battery is a lithium-ion type and located under the boot floor. Other features include an auto start/stop system and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid system was based on the 2-mode hybrid from Daimler AG. The regenerative braking unit includes 12 V Absorbent Glass Mat batteries, running in parallel to a 120 V elect

Transmissions

The F01 was produced with the following transmissions: 6-speed automatic ZF 6HP 19 6-speed automatic ZF 6HP 26 8-speed automatic ZF 8HP 70 8-speed automatic ZF 8HP 90 All models from 2009 through 2012 were equipped with the 6-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic function, except for the 760i/Li which had the 8-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic. For the 2013-15 model years, all the other models received the 8-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic.

Model year changes

Most changes occurred September of each year, when the changes for the following model year entered production, as is typical BMW practice. Thus, the 2009 changes represent changes for model year 2010, for example: 2008. Launch model range consisted of petrol models 740i, 750i and 750Li, and the diesel 730d. 2009. All-wheel drive became available for a 7 Series for the first time, in the form of the 750i xDrive and 750Li models. The V12-engined 760i/Li flagship models were added to the range. 740d model introduced in autumn. M Sport Package introduced. Sales began in the United States, initially with the 750i and 750Li models. Long-wheelbase 730Li model went on sale, for Asian markets only. 2010. ActiveHybrid 7 and ActiveHybrid 7L models introduced. These initial hybrid models use a turbocharged 4.4 litre V8 engine with a 15 kW (20 hp) electric motor. 740d xDrive model introduced in September 2010. Optional comfort seats in the rear compartment became available in a three-seat version. Alpina B7 (rear-wheel drive) and B7X (all-wheel drive) models introduced. 740i and 740Li models became available in the United States, the first six-cylinder 7-Series to be sold in the United States since 1992. 2013 facelift. The F01 facelift (also known as LCI) models began production in July 2012 and were sold as the 2013 model year cars. The facelift models were unveiled at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and shown at the 2012 Monaco Yacht Show. Changes include: 8-speed automatic transmission became standard equipment. ActiveHybrid 7 model switches from N63 V8 engine to N55 six-cylinder engine, and a more powerful electric motor was used. 750i/Li and Alpina B7 engine upgraded from N63 to N63TU (N63B44O1), which added variable valve lift ("Valvetronic"). 740i/Li engine upgra

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: BMW 7 Series (F01)
Manufacturer: BMW
Production: 2008–2015
Assembly: Germany: Dingolfing, Russia: Kaliningrad, Thailand: Rayong, Egypt: 6th of October City, India: Chennai
Designer: Karim Habib
Class: Full-size luxury car (F)
Body style: 4-door sedan
Platform: BMW L6
Related: Rolls-Royce Ghost, BMW 5 Series (F10), BMW 6 Series (F12), Rolls-Royce Wraith (2013), Rolls-Royce Dawn
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Front-engine, all-wheel-drive (xDrive)
Engine: Petrol:, 3.0 L N52 I6, 3.0 L N54 twin-turbo I6, 3.0 L N55 turbo I6, 4.4 L N63 twin-turbo V8, 6.0 L N74 twin-turbo V12, Petrol hybrid:, 3.0 L N55 turbo I6, 4.4 L N63 twin-turbo V8, Diesel:, 3.0 L N57 turbo I6
Transmission: 6-speed ZF automatic transmission , 8-speed ZF automatic transmission
Wheelbase: SWB: 3070 mm , LWB: 3210 mm
Length: SWB: 5072 mm , LWB: 5212 mm
Width: 1902 mm
Height: 58.2 -
Kerb weight: 1955 -
Predecessor: BMW 7 Series (E65)
Successor: BMW 7 Series (G11)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q796488CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_7_Series_(F01)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1362283874 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bmw-f01-wiki-paultan.org.jpgCC BY 3.0 · Photo: Paultantk · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.