BMW have released their first performance hybrid under the name iPerformance. The 2017 BMW 740e iPerformance will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2016 which starts next month. It will be the first plug-in hybrid version of the BMW 7-Series, set to compete with rival versions of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
BMW will give the iPerformance branding to all BMW plug-in hybrid vehicles from July 2016. Each iPerformance car will get a BMW i logo on the front side panel, BMW i-style blue elements in the kidney grille and wheel hubs, and an eDrive logo on the C-pillar. BMW now offers five plug-in hybrid variants across its range with a variety of different optional extras available for each of the vehicles.
The latest iPerformance car is the 2017 BMW 740e iPerformance which is powered by a combination of the BMW hybrid system and a four-cylinder turbocharged engine. A long wheelbase version will also be offered which will be called the BMW 740Le iPerformance and an xDrive variant. The most economic model will manage 2.1 litres per 100 kilometres (134.5 mpg) and CO2 emissions of 49 grams per kilometre.
On electric power alone, the BMW 740e iPerformance manages 40 kilometres or 25 miles; with xDrive, the figures are slightly less at 37 kilometres or 23 miles. BMW’s most powerful 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine gets twin turbochargers and a peak output of 258 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The electronic motor produces a further 113 hp and 250 Nm of torque for a combined 326 hp and 500 Nm of torque. 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) is managed in 5.6 seconds, increasing to 5.7 seconds in the long wheel-base car.
The hybrid system is controlled via the eDrive button on the centre console. In Auto the controller defaults to all-electric mode at low and moderate speeds, reverting to the petrol engine at 80 km/h (50 mph) or under heavy acceleration. MAX eDRIVE pure-electric mode keeps the 7-Series in pure electric mode up to top speeds of 140 km/h (87 mph. Further Driving Experience Control’s are available including ECO PRO, COMFORT and SPORT modes.
