GREEN | 7 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
2011 BMW 740i - 740Li: 17/25 mpg
EPA
2011 BMW 750i, 15/22 mpg; 750Li, 14/22 mpg; 750i xDrive and 750Li xDrive, 14/20 mpg
EPA
2011 BMW 760Li: 13/19 mpg
EPA
2011 BMW Alpina B7: 14/22 mpg
EPA
2011 BMW ActiveHybrid 7: 17/24 mpg
EPA
With such a tremendous variety in its powertrain lineup, the 2011 BMW 7-Series actually has a fairly narrow range of fuel economy figures, as rated by the EPA.
The best numbers are generated by the six-cylinder Bimmers. The 740i and the 740Li both sport an eight-speed automatic, which helps them achieve gas-mileage numbers of 17/25 mpg, tops in the 7er fleet.
Right behind them is one of the most expensive and complex 7-Series sedans, the ActiveHybrid 7. Like the six-cylinder cars, it comes in a choice of short- and long-wheelbase editions, and both are rated at 17/24 mpg.
From there, fuel economy slides more perceptibly. In the V-8-powered, rear-drive, short-wheelbase 750i, gas mileage is set at 15/22 mpg. Adding a few inches to the wheelbase tips the scales heavier, which trims the numbers to 14/22 mpg in the 750Li.
The same 14/22 mpg rating is applied to both the short- and long-wheelbase twin-turbo Alpina B7, the high-performance edition of the 7-Series.
Adding all-wheel drive to the stock V-8 sedans exacts its own penalty, with the 750i xDrive and 750Li xDrive both earning EPA ratings of 14/20 mpg.
Finally, at the low end of expectations, the V-12-powered 760Li checks in at a not unrespectable 13/19 mpg.
Since it already offers the gas-electric ActiveHybrid 7, it stands to reason that BMW may be investigating a diesel option for the 7-Series for the U.S. As of yet, no version has been confirmed.
Conclusion
The 2011 BMW 7-Series cuts a wide swath across the EPA's fuel-economy chart; the six-cylinder models fare better than the hybrid.
