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DoneDeal

Motor Envy: The BMW 7 Series hybrid is perfect for plush and hushed driving

The BMW 740e is the PHEV version of BMW’s flagship range.

What’s this then?

This is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of BMW’s 7 Series range and this 740e model can be yours for €76,950.

What’s so special about it?

The 7 Series is BMW’s flagship model line and this is the more eco-friendly, and wallet-friendly, PHEV model. Thanks to the plug-in battery and electric motor CO2 emissions are just 49g/km which puts the car in tax Band A1, which is €170 per annum.

Fuel economy also improves thanks to that battery-electric powertrain and the official quoted figure is 2.1 litres/100km.

Any standout design features?

There is very little difference between this, the BMW 740e iPerformance model compared to the regular 7 Series models. Although, to make out this car’s green credentials there are some blue accents in the twin kidney grilles and surrounding the propeller roundels on the wheels.

There is, of course, the plug-in charging ‘filler’ flap on the nearside front wing and the ‘eDrive’ logo on the C-pillar.

DoneDeal DoneDeal

And what powers this BMW 7 Series?

Powering this 740e is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with 83kW synchronous electric motor and 7.4kWh (net) lithium-ion battery. It has a top speed limited to 250km and it can go from zero to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.

Power is rated at 258hp at 5,000- to 6,500rpm for the petrol engine, 113hp at 3,170rpm for the electric motor, and combined peak power output is 326hp. Combined peak torque output is 500Nm.

DoneDeal DoneDeal

Does the BMW 740e have any luxurious touches?

Being the flagship model, the 7 Series is the most luxurious in BMW’s range. This particular car has Black Sapphire metallic paint, 19-inch alloys and adaptive headlights with high beam assist and LED front fog lights.

Inside, the cabin is upholstered in black exclusive Nappa leather with black trim and carpets and features a fineline high gloss interior wood trim and extended leather dash. There is a sports steering wheel and the front seats are fully electric with a heated memory and massage function and the rear seats are also fully electric and heated. There is also four-zone auto climate control for the front and rear.

High-tech features include the super cool gesture control, a reversing camera with front and rear park distance control, widescreen satellite navigation with BMW touchpad iDrive controller, BMW connected drive pack, a DVD player, a 20gb music hard drive, USB interface, WiFi hotspot, DAB radio, voice control, BMW enhanced Bluetooth phone system with wireless charging tray and BMW concierge services.

DoneDeal DoneDeal

But who would drive this car?

Someone with deep pockets that wants a high-tech, high-speed, comfortable cruiser that looks good and won’t cost the Earth to run.

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    Mute Sean Spillane
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    Mar 26th 2015, 6:20 PM

    God Bless the Holy Father.

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    Mute Bill Jones
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    Mar 26th 2015, 6:25 PM

    Which one?

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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Mar 26th 2015, 7:00 PM

    What God? the invisible one in the sky that loves suffering and money but claims he loves you?

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    Mute Bobby Phelan
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    Mar 26th 2015, 7:37 PM

    https://youtu.be/eAaQNACwaLw watch this 5 star doc get you thinking

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    Mute Bill Rooney
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    Mar 26th 2015, 5:57 PM

    Good man – Frank ..

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    Mute Atticus the Accuser
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    Mar 26th 2015, 6:55 PM

    Maybe he’ll bring disgraced Cardinal Bernard law who was shielded in the Vatican back to the USA to face charges over complicity with 30years of moving around known paedophilles around Boston MA.

    http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/03/16/anti-abuse-advocates-slam-new-pope-for-meet-and-greet-with-cardinal-law/s29iSzkLUnSJvBlkUPsWiL/story.html

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    Mute stephen kavanagh
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    Mar 26th 2015, 6:00 PM

    He’s certainly squeezing in all the PR exercises before he retires!

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    Mute Dean Anderson
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    Mar 26th 2015, 6:59 PM

    It’s just as well he brings his Vatican photographer with him everywhere he goes, otherwise we’d never get to see how much he cares for the poor and the homeless

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    Mute Donal McWey
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    Mar 26th 2015, 6:00 PM

    Pope Francis heading for White House, didn’t think he was even interested in becoming President. Hillary won’t be happy.

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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Mar 26th 2015, 7:01 PM

    Yes, well Washington, London and the Vatican are all one.

    No one in Washington or London can do anything major without the say so of the pope.

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    Mute Paul
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    Mar 26th 2015, 7:23 PM

    god love you catherine,now back to bed

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    Mute Egg Head
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    Mar 26th 2015, 6:03 PM

    Let’s hope he doesn’t complement the president’s tan like a certain other Italian based head of state.

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    Mute Wolf Moon
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    Mar 26th 2015, 9:37 PM

    What about protecting children from the church,any chance that could be a topic.

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    Mute Cheeky Bums
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    Mar 26th 2015, 6:09 PM

    He’s going to take the bowl of shamrock Enda gave him.

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    Mute John Blessing
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    Mar 26th 2015, 9:23 PM

    Oh no…

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    Mute Will Derbylight
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    Mar 26th 2015, 6:01 PM

    Is he bringing Pope2?

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Mar 27th 2015, 4:00 PM

    Obama wants to know the third secret of Fatima lol.

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    Mute John Reese
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    Mar 26th 2015, 8:04 PM

    The other Francis (underwood) wouldn’t have time for this craic

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Mar 26th 2015, 10:02 PM

    The man on the telly isn’t real.

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Mar 28th 2015, 9:24 PM

    The Pope is thinking that joke was not that funny???

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