BMW 7 Series History
BMW's flagship luxury sedan since 1977 — the technology and V12 showcase atop the range.
Photo: “2001 BMW 728i Sport Automatic 2.8” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
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Launched in 1977, the 7 Series is BMW's flagship: a full-size luxury sedan that debuts the brand's newest technology and, for decades, its V12 engines.
Across its E23, E32, E38, E65, F01, G11, and G70 generations it has introduced features such as ABS, curtain airbags, and iDrive; the elegant E38 (1994–2001) is especially celebrated.
Generations
First generation · E23
The original 7 Series; first BMW with ABS and a driver's airbag option.
Second generation · E32
Germany's first postwar V12 passenger car (750i); introduced Xenon headlamps.
Third generation · E38
Photo: “2001 BMW 728i Sport Automatic 2.8” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
The celebrated E38 — first car with curtain airbags; a design high point.
2000 Photo: “2000 BMW 740iL (E38) sedan (26963405230)” by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2001 Photo: “2001 BMW 728i Sport Automatic 2.8” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Fourth generation · E65/E66
Introduced iDrive and controversial 'flame-surfacing' styling.
Fifth generation · F01/F02
First 7 Series with a hybrid option and an 8-speed automatic.
Sixth generation · G11/G12
First BMW Group lineup on the modular OKL/CLAR platform.
Seventh generation · G70
Includes the all-electric i7; BMW ended the V12 with this generation's launch era.
Body styles
- Sedan
- Long-wheelbase sedan
Notable special editions & performance variants
750i / V12 (760i)
The V12-powered 7 Series — Germany's first postwar V12 passenger car arrived with the E32 750i.
Alpina B7
Alpina's high-performance, supercharged/twin-turbo luxury take on the 7 Series. Source note: Wikipedia "Alpina B7 (E65)" + thedrive.com — E65 B7 unveiled 2003, US launch announced Feb 2006 (US MY2007); B7 ended with the G11/G12 in 2022 (no G70 version).
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