BMW 7 Series (E38) | |
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Overview | |
Production | April 1994 – July 2001 |
Model years | 1995–2001 |
Assembly | Germany: Dingolfing |
Designer | Boyke Boyer |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Full-size luxury car (F) |
Body style | 4-door sedan |
Layout | Rear-wheel drive |
Powertrain | |
Engine | |
Transmission | |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | SWB: 2,930 mm (115.4 in) LWB: 3,070 mm (120.9 in) |
Length | SWB: 4,985 mm (196.3 in) LWB: 5,124 mm (201.7 in) |
Width | 1,862 mm (73.3 in) |
Height | 1,425–1,435 mm (56.1–56.5 in) |
Curb weight | 1,710–2,085 kg (3,770–4,597 lb) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | BMW 7 Series (E32) |
Successor | BMW 7 Series (E65) |
The BMW E38 is the third generation of the BMW 7 Series luxury cars and was produced from 1994 until 2001. The E38 replaced the E32 7 Series and was produced with petrol and turbo-diesel straight-six and V8 engines, along with a petrol V12 flagship model. Three wheelbase lengths were available — short (i), long (iL) and Limousine (L7).
The E38 was the first car available with curtain airbags. It was also the first European car to offer satellite navigation[1] and the first BMW to offer an in-built television. The E38 was the first 7 Series to be available with a diesel engine and the last to be available with a manual transmission.
In 2001, the E38 was replaced by the E65 7 Series.