The E65/E66 7 Series is the most successful luxury performance car built by BMW.

Almost 160,000 have been delivered to customers since 2001 (including 311 sold in Australia last year), eclipsing the previous benchmark E38 7 Series with 8 percent more sales over the same timeframe.

Central to the changes to the 2005 7 Series are new, more powerful V8 engines and associated chassis updates to make the car more dynamic and deliver more precise on-road handling.

However, in line with BMW philosophy, increasing power does not come at the cost of substantially improved fuel consumption. In fact the new 750i/Li uses exactly the same 11.4-litres per 100 km as the previous 745i/Li and the new 740i/Li uses only 100 ml more fuel than the previous 735i/Li at 11.2-litres per 100 km.

The creamy-smooth V12 engine in the 760i/Li remains one of the world's most advanced units available in a production vehicle.

As before, a six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic is standard on all models.

All engines excel through their high output per litre, wide useful speed range, "beefy" torque curve and of course excellent running refinement.

As before, the Australian market 7 Series range is focused on two V8 and one V12 petrol engines all of which feature advanced variable valve control through VALVETRONIC.

In all, five models will be available - the 4.0-litre 740i and 740Li and the 4.8-litre 750i and 750Li and the range-topping V12-powered 760Li. In addition, both the 740i and 750i are available with Sport Packages that deliver even more focussed driving performance.

The 740i/Li gains an 11 per cent increase in capacity, 13 percent increase in power and 8 percent increase in torque as output rises by 25 kW to 225 kW at 6,300 rpm, and 390 Nm of peak torque at a modest 3,500 rpm.

The 740i sprints to 100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds (6.9 seconds 740Li), 0.7 seconds faster than before.

The 750i/Li appears for the first time in the E65 standard wheelbase and E66 long-wheelbase 7 Series. Previously, the 750i badge was reserved for the muscular V12 powerplant.

This badge now applies to the new 4.8-litre V8 in the 750i/Li, a capacity increase from 4.4-litres in the previous 745i/Li.

The 4.8-litre V8 delivers 270 kW of power at 6,300 rpm and 490 Nm of torque at 3,400 rpm, a rise of 25 kW in power (+10 percent) and 40 Nm in torque (+9 percent).

The 750i accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds (6.0 seconds 750Li), 0.4 seconds faster than the 745i.

The 6.0-litre V12 engine continues unchanged in the 2005 7 Series, and continues to deliver top performance with 327 kW of power at 6,000 rpm and a mountainous 600 Nm of torque at 3,950 rpm, giving the 760Li a 0-100 km/h time of just 5.6 seconds.

The chassis and suspension of the BMW 7 Series has now been updated and enhanced to an even higher standard. A 14 mm increase in rear track and enhanced axle control and response exert a positive influence on the car's driving dynamics.

Australian buyers can customise their chassis set-up at the factory through the availability of two advanced technical solutions - Adaptive Drive and Sports Package.

Adaptive Drive suspension now combines Dynamic Drive with BMW's EDC-C continuously adjustable damper control system, thus offering an unprecedented synthesis of supreme driving dynamics and maximum comfort on the road.

Dynamic Drive almost completely eliminates body roll in bends and once again improves the car's steering behaviour on the road through the use of fully variable anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles.

EDC-C, in turn, consistently adjusts damper characteristics to changing road, load and driving conditions, ranging from very comfortable to sporting and firm.

The Sports Package for standard wheelbase models only, delivers BMW's Sports Suspension and now adds Dynamic Drive. Cars fitted with Sports Suspension ride 20 mm lower at the front and 10 mm lower at the rear.

Cosmetic enhancements make the new 7 Series even more stylish, purposeful and luxurious. Subtle refinement in exterior design highlight the car's enhanced driving dynamics and sporting performance.

From the front or side profile, the elegant, sporting 7 Series looks more athletic. Striking new contours for the bonnet’s more prominent power dome taper from the A-pillars to the kidney grille, to give the front end a particularly powerful look.

At the rear, a more lavish look arrives thanks to a slim chrome strip linking the new-look, larger taillight clusters with their jewelled look.

The re-profiled boot lid further helps redefine the visual appeal of the rear of the car for a fuller road presence.

BMW 7 Series Pricing as at June 2005

740i - $178,300
740i with Sport Package - $188,200
740Li - $189,900
750i - $208,400
750i with Sport Package - $209,400
750Li - $227,400
760Li - $335,600