BMW 
1 is celebrating its centenary in 2016 and it has already started the party with the wild Vision Next 100 Concept. 2 The Germans will introduce Vision show cars for the Mini, 3 Rolls-Royce, 4 and BMW Motorrad 5 brands, but the anniversary year will also bring a few limited-edition production models in dealerships. The first to arrive is the 7 Series Centennial Edition, a special-edition 6 lineup consisting of three models crafted by the company s Individual division.
Like many Individual Bimmers out there, the Centennial Edition features an exclusive exterior finish, unique wheels, and a uber-luxurious interior wrapped in high-grade leather and other expensive materials. All models will feature hand-crafted signets bearing the lettering “The Next 100 Years,” just like the concept 7 with the similar name. Customers will be able to order this limited package on the hybrid 740Le, 8 the V-8-powered 750Li, 9 and the V-12-powered M760Li, 10 all of which are part of the new sixth-generation 7 Series 11 lineup. Pricing is not yet available, but production will be limited to only 100 units.
Continue reading to learn more about the BMW 7 Series Centennial Edition.
What makes the BMW 7 Series Centennial Edition special
The first thing that catches the eye when looking at the 7 Series Centennial Edition is the Centennial Blue Metallic paint. Exclusive for this limited-edition run, the finish is the result of an elaborate painting process that highlights the sedan s design through “outstanding brilliance and an intensive depth effect.” The new paint is complemented by a set of 20-inch Individual light-alloy wheels featuring a V-spoke design and a two-tone Silver/Ferric Grey finish. Rounding off the exterior is handcrafted signet with the lettering The Next 100 Years on the B-pillars. The latter doesn t do much to change the sedan s appearance, but it s there to confirm that this is no regular 7 Series and could prove very valuable once the Centennial Edition is sold out.
The cabin also received numerous features to help it stand out from the pack. For the Centennial Edition, BMW Individual went with a fine-grain Merino leather upholstery in Smoke White and black accents for the dashboard, door panels, and center console. Now that s a distinguished look worthy of a Rolls-Royce Phantom. The interior also sports the lettering “The Next 100 Years” above the glove compartment on the passenger side as well as the front and rear seat headrests, while the cover of the cup holder located in the center console boasts the inscription “1 of 100”
The seats have quilted surfaces in a woven look, hand-woven piping, and contrasting seam applications that showcase tremendous attention to detail. The floor mats, seat belts, and the BMW Individual headliner come in Smoke White Alcantara to match the upholstery. The exquisite ambiance is rounded out by BMW 12 Individual inserts in Piano Black and a BMW Individual steering wheel with fine-wood applications in the same finish.
The package also includes a fountain pen by Montblanc designed to mirror 7 Series Centennial Edition. Exclusive with this special-edition sedan, the pen is also limited to 100 units. Under the hood, the Centennial Edition comes with the standard engine available with each trim. Customers that will opt for the 740Le iPerformance will get a hybrid system that combines a 2.0-liter TwinPower four-cylinder and an electric generator. Total output for this model is rated at 326 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The electric motor is responsible for 113 horses and 184 pound-feet. Those who update to the 740Le xDrive will get the same model, but with all-wheel drive.
Next in line is the 750Li. This version uses the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 that generates 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. Also available with all-wheel drive, the 750i can charge to 60 mph from a standing start in as low as 4.3 seconds. Lastly, buyers can also have the Centennial Edition package with the range-topping and newly launched M760Li. Offered with xDrive only, the M760Li gets its juice from the company s 6.6-liter V-12, which pumps out 600 turbocharged horses and 590 pound-feet of twist. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is estimated to take 3.9 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited at 155 mph.
BMW 7 Series 13
Redesigned for the 2016 model year, BMW s biggest sedan to date gained a brand-new platform and a Carbon Core passenger cell, which is similar to the one developed for the BMW i 14 range. Made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and high-tensile steel, it s incredibly light and helped BMW cut 190 pounds of the car s curb weight compared to the previous model. The interior is more luxurious than ever, provides ample legroom for both front and rear seat passengers, and features BMW s latest technology, including the iDrive 5.0 infotainment system and the Touch Command Tablet. Motivation is provided by four-, six-, and eight-cylinder engines. The four-pot mates with an electric motor for the first-ever hybrid 7 Series, while the 3.0-liter inline-six delivers 320 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The 4.4-liter V-8 cranks out 445 horses and 480 pound-feet of twist. The sixth-gen 7 Series also brought the first M-spec variant. Although not a full-fledged M car, the M760Li features a sporty chassis and suspension setup, and a 6.6-liter V-12 that sends a whopping 600 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque to all four corners. Pricing for the 7 Series starts from £81,300.
Read our full review on the BMW 7 Series here. 15
Press Release
The centenary edition of the luxury sedan designed by BMW Individual, which is due to celebrate its world premiere during the anniversary year of the BMW Group, is limited to 100 units and combinable with three exceptionally fascinating drive variants, including intelligent all-wheel drive. These are the BMW 740Le iPerformance and BMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance with plug-in hybrid system, the V8 model BMW 750Li and BMW 750Li xDrive as well as the BMW M760Li xDrive featuring a twelve-cylinder power unit.
Munich. To mark the company s centenary, BMW is presenting a centennial model that represents the historically evolved technological competence of the world s leading manufacturer of premium automobiles and leads the way into the future of driving pleasure. The BMW 7 Series centennial model is being produced in a limited quantity and is available with three drive variants:
BMW Individual 740Le iPerformance THE NEXT 100 YEARS.
BMW Individual 740Le xDrive iPerformance THE NEXT 100 YEARS.
BMW Individual 750Li THE NEXT 100 YEARS.
BMW Individual 750Li xDrive THE NEXT 100 YEARS.
BMW Individual M760Li xDrive Model V12 Excellence THE NEXT 100 YEARS.
These BMW 7 Series centenary models combine the innovation, efficiency and dynamics of the luxury sedan with exclusive and harmoniously matching design and equipment features from BMW Individual. Regardless of the choice of engine, the appearance, driving experience and interior ambience of the luxury sedan are bestowed with a uniquely distinctive character thanks to the exclusive centenary model paint finish, 20-inch BMW Individual light-alloy wheels, BMW Individual fine grain Merino full leather trim and further interior details from BMW Individual. The equipment range also includes a fountain pen of the Montblanc brand, the colour and design of which are precisely aligned to the anniversary edition of the BMW 7 Series. It is also produced in a limited quantity and is only exclusively available in conjunction with BMW 7 Series centennial models. As a result, the BMW Individual 7 Series THE NEXT 100 YEARS embodies both a new understanding of luxury at the top of the BMW model range as well as a deeply embedded awareness for customer orientation, timeless design and unsurpassed quality. Together, traditional development skills and outstanding innovative strength form the basis of the company s unparalleled success and the unmistakable character of BMW automobiles. The carmaker s technological know-how is authentically reflected in the new BMW 7 Series characteristics, which are more comprehensive and fascinating than ever before in the history of the brand. The new luxury sedan impresses with a design that is defined by stylish presence, timeless elegance and supreme dynamics, its manifold innovations optimizing sportiness, ride comfort and efficiency. At the same time, the sixth generation of the BMW 7 Series sets benchmarks when it comes to operating comfort, intelligent networking and feel-good atmosphere inside the car. With technology and design highlights such as the Carbon Core body structure, BMW eDrive technology, anti-dazzle BMW Laserlight, chassis control system Executive Drive Pro, BMW gesture control, remote controlled parking, Executive Lounge and panorama glass roof Sky Lounge, the BMW 7 Series underscores in the company s anniversary year its claim to leadership in the luxury sedan segment more than ever before.
Exclusive exterior colour, selected BMW Individual equipment features.
The BMW Individual 7 Series THE NEXT 100 YEARS is produced at the BMW Dingolfing plant in a limited quantity of 100 units. The vehicles feature exclusive BMW Individual equipment details created by a manufacturing process that is defined by uncompromising quality standards, traditional style consciousness, and handcrafted precision. The anniversary model s prominent status is recognisable at first glance by the BMW Individual exterior colour Centennial Blue metallic and the handcrafted signet. The colour variant available exclusively for the 100 centennial models is attained by a particularly elaborate painting process that accentuates the sedan s expressive design through outstanding brilliance and an intensive depth effect. Technology and design at the highest level also merge together in the forged 20-inch BMW Individual light-alloy wheels in V-spoke design that come in a bi-colour Silver/Ferric Grey look and with mixed tyres. An exclusive, handcrafted signet bearing the lettering THE NEXT 100 YEARS adorns the B pillars, the interior strips above the glove compartment on the passenger side as well as the front and rear seat headrests. The cover of the cup holder located in the front area of the centre console boasts the inscription 1 of 100 . The luxurious driving experience and exclusive travel comfort offered by the BMW Individual 7 Series THE NEXT 100 YEARS achieve their extraordinary high level thanks to an interior design that is oriented to the highest standards right down to the smallest detail. The BMW Individual fine-grain Merino full leather trim in the colour variant Smoke White with black accents is the central element. The leather used for the seats, door panels including B pillars, the upper and lower sections of the instrument panel, the centre console, armrests and door pulls is extremely pleasant to the touch thanks to its volume and soft, fine-grain surfaces. Carefully selected, flawless raw materials and extremely gentle processing guarantee a natural, open-pore structure. The leather remains breathable and provides supreme comfort. Quilted seat surfaces in a woven look, hand-woven piping and contrasting seam applications bear witness to a production process that is defined by precision and attention to detail. Floor covering and floor mats, safety belts and the BMW Individual headliner also come in Alcantara in the colour Smoke White . The stylish interior ambience of the centennial model is capped by BMW Individual interior strips in Piano Finish Black and a BMW Individual leather steering wheel with fine-wood applications in the same finish.
References
^ BMW (www.topspeed.com)
^ Vision Next 100 Concept. (www.topspeed.com)
^ Mini, (www.topspeed.com)
^ Rolls-Royce, (www.topspeed.com)
^ BMW Motorrad (www.topspeed.com)
^ special-edition (www.topspeed.com)
^ concept (www.topspeed.com)
^ hybrid 740Le, (www.topspeed.com)
^ 750Li, (www.topspeed.com)
^ M760Li, (www.topspeed.com)
^ 7 Series (www.topspeed.com)
^ BMW (www.topspeed.com)
^ BMW 7 Series (www.topspeed.com)
^ BMW i (www.topspeed.com)
^ here. (www.topspeed.com)