factor volumes AEB Fitment - Available BMW 7 series The 7 series is the 6 th generation of BMW s flagship luxury model, introducing many new technologies including Carbon Core CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics) construction.
The 7 series introduces the Carbon Core lightweight construction process, with intelligent interplay steel, aluminium and CFRP. Visibly the only indication of CFRP inclusion is the carbon core emblem at the top of the B Post, but this body is responsible for 40kg of the total 130kg weight reduction. The external skin is predominantly aluminium, including the bonnet, boot lid, doors and roof skin which is bonded on after top coat in the paint shop. The 1.0 mm gauge door skins are attached by a complete laser-welded ring. Steel was chosen for the body side, including the quarter panel, due to a requirement to form the shape of the rear wheel arch. External gaps have been reduced by laser measuring applications for further quality improvements. Structurally, aluminium extrusions are used for the front chassis legs, and aluminium castings for the front suspension turrets and rear chassis leg/turrets; this latter part being a single casting instead of the 18 parts needed for a conventional component.
High Strength Steel (HSS) forms the majority of the floor and bulkhead/wheelhouse structure, transmission tunnel and boot floor. Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) is used for key areas requiring structural strength, such as the A Post Inner, B Pillar, and main front floor panels, with a small amount of Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS) for reinforcement either side of the fuel tank (and battery location for the Plug-in Hybrid). Press-Hardened Steel is used for the lateral crash structure: Sill Reinforcement, B Pillar reinforcement, roof side rail reinforcement, and for a further profile, joining the sill reinforcement structure across the transmission tunnel. Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) are used as a cap for the transmission tunnel and for the parcel shelf support panel. More importantly, CFRP are applied to reinforce the sill, B-Post, (which is a CFRP-Press-hardened Steel hybrid), the Cant-rail (which is hollow-core and hydroformed), C-pillar and for the roof cross-members. Shaping of the sill CFRP reinforcement and application of adhesive was critical to cope with the relative thermal expansion of the two material groups. Most of the CFRP components are produced by Wet Compression Moulding, including the roof header rail and rear roof member, but the main roof cross-member is produced by Resin Transfer Moulding, as this enables a suitable interface with the B Pillar for lateral crash protection. The C-pillar reinforcement and trunk firewall are of recycled fibres, processed into a multilayer material. BMW employ a specific strategy for the Carbon Core body concept; steel and aluminium are joined, steel and carbon fibre are joined, but nowhere is aluminium and carbon fibre joined due to the widely different thermal expansion characteristics.
Repair Repair strategy for the 7 series looks good, with a defined process for damage assessment. It is likely to require physical inspection of the CFRP components with outer panels removed for visual inspection of the reinforcements for delamination and cracking. The BMW parts catalogue includes a template panel for assessing sill reinforcement damage/ distortion and this becomes a patch panel if appropriate. The B Pillar reinforcement must be replaced in its entirety due to the CFRP patch behind it, with locator tags at the top being the only part trimmed for fitting without the need for removing the roof. Repair process for removal of CFRP components such as the roof rails needs to be followed carefully to ensure the materials are not compromised by heat applications and reciprocating cutting tools for adhesive MUST NOT be used. The replacement aluminium roof is serviced with the additional CFRP reinforcements already bonded. Technology The 7-series features BMW Gesture Control which recognises certain movements of the driver s hand (scanned by Infra-Red camera in the roof lining) to enable controls such as volume control, or accepting or rejecting incoming phone calls. Currently there are 4 gestures, but this will grow in time. This can be customized for additional functions and is available without the need for separate activation. BMW Laserlight includes Selective Beam (High Beam Assistance) that projects specific beam patterns with a range of as much as 600 metres. These can be recognized by small blue strips in the light assembly. The vehicle also features LED tail-lamps too. BMW has introduced Remote Control Parking for the 7 series. The driver centres the vehicle ahead of a parking space, exits the vehicle, and by pressing and holding the function on the key, activates the vehicle to self-park in that space with the driver outside. The vehicle will stop if it detects an obstacle or should it have insufficient space (50cm) each side to allow occupants of the adjacent vehicles to enter/exit their cars. Executive Drive Pro utilises the windscreenmounted ADAS camera to view the road surface ahead to pre-condition the standard-fit active air suspension system for uneven road surfaces. This system also includes Dynamic Drive which reduces body roll on cornering, utilising active anti-roll bars. Integral Active Steering (optional) provides rear wheel steering. At speeds up to 35mph, the rear wheels turn opposite to the front wheels to reduce the turning circle, but at higher speeds the rear wheels turn in parallel to the front wheels for stability of lane changing. image source:bmw
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) The 7 series driver assistance systems combines radar, cameras and other sensors to provide input to a number of systems including: Driver Assistant Plus includes functions such as automated steering to keep the vehicle centrally within its lane at speeds up to 130mph. This applies gentle steering correction via the epas system. Preventative Pedestrian Protection can apply automated braking at speeds up to 35mph so as to avoid collisions with pedestrians and cyclists. Night Vision is available which presents an infrared image of the road ahead, including pedestrians and large animals, on the main facia display screen. Surround-view is available, with additional camera views to the front, side and rear. The 7 series is available with a full-colour Head-Up Display which provides speed, infotainment, telephone and navigation information into the driver s field of vision. Trim levels & options Pure Excellence models feature 19 620-series alloy wheels, high-gloss black brake callipers and a silver & chrome kidney grille. The interior features alcantara finished in White, Beige or Mocha M Sport models feature 19 double-spoke alloy wheels, anodized black brake calipers, and M body styling. A range of interior options are available, including massage functions for the seats. A range of alloy wheels from 18 to 20 are available.
Paint Colours The 7 series is available in 11 colour options, plus a further two (Carbon Black and Singapore Grey) specific to the M Sport models. There are a further 8 colours options as part of the BMW Individual range. There are 6 interior upholstery colours: Black, Canberra Beige, Ivory White, Zagora Beige, Cognac and Mocha. 6 other BMW individual upholstery colours are available: Tartufo, Smoke White/Black, Fiona Red, Cashmere, Caramel and Smoke White/Viola Black. These are complimented by 6 roof lining options. Powertrains 730d 6-cylinder, 2993cc, 265bhp and 620Nm of torque (available for standard and long-wheelbase models) 740Li a turbo-charged, valvetronic, 6-cylinder petrol engine producing 326bhp and up to 450Nm of torque. 740e a turbo-charged, 4-cylinder petrol engine with a 95hp (70Kw) electric motor powered by a 9.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack, producing a combined 326bhp. This can be charged by a socket on the front wing for connection to a BMW I Wallbox or a conventional household socket.