About a month after the first reports about BMW preparing an entry-level, four-cylinder gasoline version for their new 7-Series sedan emerged, the Germans quietly launched their new 730i.
A report from Paultan said that the model appeared on BMW’s consumer website in Turkey, but we also found it in China. While BMW has been quiet about its availability, we suspect that it will eventually be offered in other select markets around the world.
The new 730i’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline mill has an 82mm bore and 94.6mm stroke, which means it’s based on the B48 family of engines found in a number of models in the BMW Group, ranging from the MINI Cooper JCW to the latest BMW 225i and 330i in Europe, as well as the upcoming 740e PHEV – sans the electric motor.
In this application, the four banger delivers 258PS (255hp) between 5,000 and 6,500 rpm, and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of peak torque from 1,550 to 4,400 rpm, and is paired to a standard 8-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. It accelerates the 730i to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.2 seconds and the long wheelbase 730Li in 6.3 seconds, with both versions topping out at 250km/h (155mph).
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