BMW 7-Series 2013 with Revised Engines, New Tri-Turbo Diesel and More [82 Photos]

Some four years after its market debut, BMW is updating its flagship 7-Series limousine with a mid-life facelift for the 2013 model year. When we hear the word facelift, we usually think of styling tweaks, which holds true for the latest 7-Series, but not to the extent you would rave about it. On the other hand, there is much more than meets the eye to the updated model as it has undergone several changes under the skin.
On the outside, the most evident change concerns the new LED headlamps with corona rings, which are accompanied by the modified grille with nine slats instead of the previous 12, a revised front bumper, new indicators under the mirrors and a thin chrome strip connecting the two slim reflectors in the rear apron.
Moving on to the interior, the 2013 model year brings newly designed leather front seats, a new 1,200-watt Bang & Olufsen High End Surround Sound System and an optional Rear Seat Entertainment package with a new 9.2-inch monitor.
Additionally, BMW has added its new customizable, digital instrument display that allows the driver to choose among four different modes, and which we first saw on the 5-Series earlier this month, to the options list.
Under the hood, the Bavarian brand has introduced a new diesel engine and revised the rest of the lineup, while also making its 8-speed automatic transmission standard across the range.
Making its debut on the 7-Series is BMW's new 3.0-liter tri-turbocharged inline-six diesel, first seen in the M550d xDrive. In the all-wheel drive 750d xDrive, the diesel unit is rated at 375hp (381PS) and 740Nm (546 lb-ft) allowing for a zero to 100km/h (62mph) acceleration time of only 4.9 seconds and a limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph). BMW quotes a combined fuel consumption of 6.4lt/100km (36.8mpg US or 44.1 mpg UK) in the EU test cycle, with CO2 emissions of 169 g/km.
In Europe and other select other markets around the world, buyers have two more diesel options, the 740d with an uprated 309hp (313PS) 3.0-liter inline-six, and the 730d with a 255hp (258PS) version of the same unit.
Gasoline engine choices include the 760i with the same 537hp (544PS) 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 as before, the 750i with a revised 4.4-liter turbo V8 producing 444hp (450PS / +10%) and 650Nm (479 lb-ft / +8.5%), and the 740i that gets the new N55 3.0-liter twin-turbo churning out 315hp (320PS) and 450Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque.
In certain markets, BMW also offers the entry-level 730i with its classic 3.0-liter naturally aspirated straight-six rated at 255hp (258PS) and 310Nm (229 lb-ft) of peak torque at 2,600 rpm.
Last but not least, is the new ActiveHybrid7, in which the outgoing model's 408HP 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 (465hp with the electric motor) is replaced by the 740i's 315hp (320PS) 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six that works together with a 54hp/40kW electric motor. The system's combined output is 349hp (354PS) with a peak torque of 500Nm (369 lb-ft).
BMW says the new ActiveHybrid 7 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds, while posting an average fuel economy of 6.8lt/100km (34.6mpg US or 41.5 mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of 158 g/km.
The older V8-powered ActiveHybrid7 may have been faster completing the sprint in 4.9 seconds, but it was also less efficient with an average fuel consumption of 9.4 lt/ 100 km (25 mpg US or 29.1 mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of 219 gr/km.
All new 7-Series models get new suspension bits including a self-leveling, rear air-suspension as standard.
In the U.S., BMW will offer the gasoline-powered 740i/Li, 750i/Li, 760i/Li and the ActiveHybrid7 with sales scheduled to start later in the summer.

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Peugeot 301 Budget Compact Saloon Revealed Ahead of Paris Debut

With its sights set mainly on emerging markets, Peugeot has introduced a new compact sedan named the 301 in advance of its world premiere at the Paris Auto Show in September. The new 301 will be assembled in Peugeot's factory in Vigo, Spain, and will go on sale from November in Turkey and then into Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, The Middle East, Gulf and African States, as well as in select Latin American markets.
The French firm says that the 301 has been designed to appeal to customers looking for an economical but modern compact saloon and that it was developed to adapt to all climates and conditions of use.
The 301 is 4,440mm long and rides on a 2,650 mm wheelbase offering a class-leading boot volume of 506 liters. Both the exterior and interior design of the saloon draw their inspiration from Peugeot's latest models such as the mid-size 508 and the 208 supermini.
Peugeot's rival to the upcoming Skoda Rapid and Seat Toledo models will become the second car in its range after the 208 to be offered with the brand's new 1.2-liter VTi petrol engine delivering 70hp (71PS) and linked to either a manual gearbox or an automated manual transmission (EGC).
Other engine options include a 91hp (92PS) 1.6-liter HDi turbo diesel matched to a manual, and a 114hp (115PS) 1.6-liter petrol matched to either a manual or automated manual gearbox.
The French carmakers says that, even though the 301 is a budget car, it will offer many comfort equipment features (depending on the model), such as electronic air conditioning, MP3 audio system with Bluetooth hands-free kit and USB connection, remote opening of the boot and rear parking assistance.

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New Alfa Romeo C12 GTS Concept

While not a household name yet, Ugur Sahin, a Turkish car designer based in the Netherlands, will ring a bell for many of our regular readers who will remember him from past projects such as the 2007 Ferrari Dino, 2010 Aston Martin Gauntlet and more recently, the 2011 Soleil Anadi. The latter is of particular interest as it's the production version of Sahin's 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z03 design study.
The coach built Corvette was presented in the flesh at last year's 2011 Top Marques car show in Monaco, with Soleil planning to produce a total of 300 cars priced at US$299,995 a piece.
Now, Sahin has provided Carscoop with details about his newest project for a two-door, front-engined Alfa Romeo sports car named the C12 GTS Concept.
Through his company Ugur Sahin Design (USD), the young designer says he is actively looking for investors and parties who want to be involved in the project and build a production version of the sports coupe.
If you scroll down, you will find Sahin's description of the Alfa Romeo C12 GTS Concept as well as photos and a video of the design study.

From Ugur Sahin:

"The main goal of this design is to reinterpret Alfa Romeo’s historical lines, surfaces and styling cues with fresh perspective and state of mind in order to create an appealing design and combining the familiar design language of Alfa Romeo combined with sharper lines and surfaces without losing the organic attractiveness of the car.
One of the main features of the design is the way its stance is shaped. As a whole it gives you the impression of “forward-movement” even while standing still. The iconic Alfa Romeo Grille hosts the center of the organic lines which flow towards the back and around the car with minimum distraction and maximum visual impact. The way the front is designed consists of two different shape compositions to make the face of the car sporty and aggressive, yet so appealing.
The side silhouette creates a balanced front-to-back ratio that grabs your attention with proper proportional balance and the perfectly straight line that divides the upper and the lower parts of the car seamlessly wraps around the back making the car look as a whole.”
Currently we are actively looking for investors and parties who want to be involved in the project in order to build an exclusive car which is destined to give its owner the ultimate feeling of powerful design and driving experience."

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