BMW 7 Series (E38): the first car with curtain airbags

The third-generation 7 Series arrived in 1994 with three wheelbase lengths and a range running from a straight-six diesel to a V12. It was the first car of any make offered with curtain airbags, the first European car with satellite navigation and the first 7 Series to have a built-in television. It was also the last 7 Series sold with a manual gearbox.

BMW 7 Series (E38) at a glance

Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the E38; the German article was not available.

History of the BMW 7 Series (E38)

Development

Work on the third-generation 7 Series began in early 1988. Styling was done from 1988 to 1990, first under design director Claus Luthe and from April 1990 under Wolfgang Reitzle, when Boyke Boyer’s concept was chosen and refined into production form. In February 1991 the board approved the final design, 36 months before the scheduled start of production on 17 February 1994. German design patents were filed on 27 April 1993, followed by American ones on 27 October 1993. Pilot production started on 23 July 1993 and American-specification cars entered pre-series production on 13 January 1994. Series production of the 730i and 740i began in April 1994 for the German launch in June, and the 750i followed in November 1994 ahead of its January 1995 launch. The last E38 left the line on 27 July 2001.

The range

Output figures differ sharply across the range. The 728i accounted for 38,000 cars and the 728iL for 7,000; the 730i and 735i for 21,000 each, with long-wheelbase versions adding 2,000 and 5,000. The 740i was the most popular model with 88,000 built, and the 740iL added another 81,000. The V12 750i and 750iL reached 8,000 and 15,000. The first diesel 7 Series came in the form of the 725tds with 9,000 cars, followed by the 730d with 12,000 and the 740d with 3,000. Fewer than 500 were built of each of the armoured 740iL P and 750iL P, the high-security 750iL S and the L7.

Equipment and special models

Equipment included traction control, Dynamic Stability Control, headlight washers, self-levelling xenon headlights and tubular side airbags that BMW called the Head Protection System, fitted as standard. Active Comfort Seats arrived in 1998, using two fluid-filled bladders that alternated in height. Electronic Damper Control, Park Distance Control, rain-sensing wipers, electric seat and steering wheel adjustment and double glazed windows were on the list. Satellite navigation used the CARIN system developed with Philips. The L7 of 1997 to 2001 added 250 mm to the iL wheelbase for a length of 5.37 m, with electrically adjustable rear seats, footrests, folding trays, a fridge, a television and a fax machine; it was sold in Europe, the Middle East and South-East Asia and limited to 250 km/h. The armoured Protection Line of 2000 to 2001 was based on the 740iL and 750iL, and the 750iL S added 950 kg of protection.

Design and features

• Curtain airbags: the E38 was the first car in the world available with head-protecting side airbags.
• Satellite navigation: the CARIN system, shared with Philips, made it the first European car with navigation.
• Active Comfort Seats: two fluid-filled bladders alternated in height to reduce fatigue.
• Long-wheelbase luxury: the L7 added a fridge, television, fax and adjustable rear seats.
• Armoured versions: Protection Line and high-security 750iL S models with bullet-resistant glass.

BMW 7 Series (E38) versions

• 728i and 728iL: entry six-cylinder, 38,000 and 7,000 built.
• 740i and 740iL: the volume V8 models, 88,000 and 81,000 built.
• 750i and 750iL: V12 flagship, 8,000 and 15,000 built.
• 725tds, 730d and 740d: the diesel range, 9,000, 12,000 and 3,000 cars.
• L7 (1997–2001): limousine on a 250 mm longer wheelbase, 899 built.
• Protection Line (2000–2001): armoured 740iL and 750iL with run-flat tyres and an intercom.

The E38 replaced the E32 and was replaced by the 7 Series (E65). Its engines and electronics were shared with the 5 Series (E39), and more cars are in the BMW collection.

Sources

• BMW 7 Series (E38), English Wikipedia: development, production figures, equipment, special models