The Diesel (Nonetheless) Makes A Lot Of Sense

European gross sales charts appear to indicate that diesels in passenger automobiles are on their method out. Lower than 10% of all new automobiles purchased on the continent final 12 months drank from the black pump, which is down from over 50% ten years in the past. As a born and raised European, I’ve a keenness for turbocharged oil burners, so I’ve blended emotions about this, and there are nonetheless some implausible diesels on the market. Certainly one of them lies below the hood of the most recent BMW 740d.

In the event you’re studying this on the opposite aspect of the Atlantic, you’re in all probability pondering a diesel in a big flagship sedan is a fallacy. Nevertheless, we’ve been shopping for diesel luxo barges for many years, and we nonetheless love them right here. The 740d, based mostly on the G70, is simply the most recent in an extended line of seven Collection diesels, and even in 2025, I believe it nonetheless is smart. Let me clarify.

Diesel Energy

The engine that powers the G70 diesel is the B57 3-liter straight six, which on this 40d utility makes 296 hp (300 PS) and 494 lb-ft (670 Nm) of torque. Its muscular really feel and smoothness is enhanced by the addition of a 48-volt delicate hybrid system, which integrates a small electrical motor that gives further torque, smoother engine startups and enhanced effectivity.

BMW has lowered the output of the 740d variant in comparison with the earlier era, the G11, which made 335 hp (340 PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm). As a result of it was additionally round 496 kilos (225 kg) lighter, it’s no shock that it may dash to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5 seconds, or eight-tenths faster than the G70. I’ve by no means pushed a G11 740d delicate hybrid, but it surely should really feel fairly a bit faster.

The character of the BMW six-cylinder diesel is similar, although. Whereas the facility and torque figures might not appear notably spectacular by at the moment’s requirements, the 740d feels keen and highly effective out on the highway, and whenever you punch it, it has greater than satisfactory tempo both from a standstill or a rolling begin.

The noise you hear contained in the cabin is nice and opulent, nothing like the commercial farm gear that runs on the identical gasoline. Having a diesel below the hood doesn’t make the G70 any much less luxurious than every other powertrain configuration, and it additionally has the benefit of low gasoline consumption.

Nice Gas Consumption

BMW quotes the 740d, which will get xDrive all-wheel drive as commonplace, at between 38.5 and 34.6 mpg (6.1 and 6.8 l/100km), which is outstanding for such a giant barge. Throughout my drive, I achieved a median of 29.8 mph (7.9 l/100km) driving largely on the town. That’s just like what my 2010 320d with a guide will get in the identical situations, so the truth that this can be a a lot larger automobile with an even bigger engine with two extra cylinders is spectacular.

Having beforehand pushed two i7s and a 750e, I can say I’ve skilled the G70 with different engines, and, whereas this may increasingly come as a shock to you, the 740d can be my choose with its mix of torque, effectivity and effortlessness. I additionally actually like the way in which it sounds and the low-revving nature of diesels, which lends any automotive a extra relaxed character and many pleasant low-down pulling energy.

Supremely Snug

The remainder of the G70 package deal I’m fairly conversant in and am a fan of. As a result of BMW now not affords quick and stretched variations of the 7 Collection, the usual mannequin rides on a 126.6-inch (3.215-meter) wheelbase, which is nearly six inches longer than within the G11. This not solely makes the inside really feel extra roomy, but it surely additionally improves journey consolation, and with the usual rear-wheel steering system, it feels agile and never as daunting as you may suppose when maneuvering in tight areas.

Mix this semi-extended wheelbase with commonplace air suspension and also you get a automotive with a really excellent journey. Whereas in earlier 7 Collection generations, you could possibly argue the BMW had a barely firmer and harsher journey than its major rival the Mercedes S-Class, it’s now not the case with the G70.

Actually, this may increasingly have been reversed with the W223 S-Class being the sportier and extra hunkered-down feeling of the 2. The G70 is about as sporty to drive as considered one of BMW’s SUVs, which is partly a byproduct of the automobile being noticeably taller than any earlier era of the mannequin, but additionally the overall measurement and heft of the automobile.

Driving round in a G70 doesn’t really feel too dissimilar to being inside a Rolls-Royce. You sit up excessive, the cabin is fantastically assembled and it does an outstanding job of isolating you from the skin world and with absolutely automated doorways that open or shut on the contact of a button (or haptic panel), the Rolls-Royce comparability doesn’t appear in any respect far-fetched.

Mile Muncher

My tester additionally had the non-compulsory M pack, which isn’t one thing you want on a 7 Collection, but it surely brings sportier bumpers and totally different wheel designs, in addition to a sport steering wheel inside. There’s apparently some software program tuning of the suspension that comes with this selection, but it surely didn’t appear to make a lot of a distinction on this automotive that pitches, dives and rolls back and forth like a real luxo barge ought to.

This mushy and floaty really feel to the suspension is the rationale you purchase a automotive like this, and whereas the very best place within the automotive is the rear proper seat, it’s additionally lots of enjoyable to drive. You may get 48-volt energetic roll stabilization within the G70, however my tester didn’t have it, and I didn’t miss it—the pronounced physique motion gave the automotive some further character.

Driving this automotive on longer distances is extremely stress-free and special-feeling. I actually can’t stress sufficient how good the journey is on this automotive, even on large 21-inch wheel. It feels able to take you all the way in which throughout the continent with out both it otherwise you breaking a sweat. And despite the fact that you’re possible wealthy sufficient to not care about gasoline effectivity, this automotive returns below 6 l/100km when pushed always at freeway speeds, despite its weight and large frontal space.

How BMW made one thing that appears like this have a drag coefficient of 0.26 is spectacular and it partly explains why there is no such thing as a perceivable wind noise contained in the automotive, even at excessive speeds. The non-compulsory acoustic glass with double glazing additionally performs its half right here and is a must have on a 7 Collection. Whereas cruising, you don’t actually hear the engine a lot or really feel any vibrations from it, and you’ll merely benefit from the journey and the wonderful Bowers&Wilkins Diamond sound system. In the event you’re within the again, you might be handled to one of many largest screens within the enterprise, a 41-inch 8K TV that retracts when not in use.

Placing Exterior, Fancy Inside

The design of the G70’s inside could also be a giant departure from what BMW has been doing for the final twenty years, however when you get used to the futuristic minimalism, it begins to really feel cozy and cosseting. There may be actually lots of magnificence in having such a easy and monolithic wanting dashboard and the crystal ambient lighting strip that runs its width provides to the ambiance. There appears to have been nice consideration paid to mixing and matching the totally different supplies (leather-based, steel, wooden and plastic).

With the Gran Lusso BMW Particular person pack, the automotive will get leather-based in every single place, together with on the dashboard, the door playing cards and just about anywhere you see. It additionally provides an Alcantara headliner and upgrades the upholstery to Merino leather-based. After experiencing the cashmere wool upholstery, the most costly on the G70, in an i7, leather-based won’t ever really feel fairly as luxurious, but it surely felt implausible in my tester.

One Of The Greatest Luxurious Automobiles Ever Made

Whereas the G70 is not going to go down in historical past because the prettiest 7 Collection—I believe that distinction goes to the E38—it’s unquestionably among the many easiest luxurious automobiles ever made. I hope the soon-to-be-revealed facelift softens the outside barely as a result of it presently shouts about its presence a bit an excessive amount of. Not all 7 Collection consumers need to flaunt their wealth and a few desire a extra understated model of luxurious that it presently can’t supply.

One factor the G70 has in frequent with earlier generations is that having a diesel below the hood doesn’t deliver any notable drawbacks. You frankly wouldn’t have the ability to inform it’s a diesel even at idle. Actually, I encourage you to contemplate the diesel of the G70 you’re configuring proper now (in case you’re from Europe) as a result of diesels might quickly be phased out and also you’ll be driving round in a chunk of historical past.