Performance Review: BMW 7 Series 750i E38 Auto - [1995]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 7 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 7 Series 750i E38 Auto is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1995. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12 and the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 V12.This particular BMW 7 Series has a 5379cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The 7 Series shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 7 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2048 kgs (4515 lbs) this makes the BMW 7 Series 750i E38 Auto in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari Purosangue 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 7 Series shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 5379cc 48V V12 engine produces 326 bhp (243 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 361 lb-ft (489.4 Nm) @ 3900 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 7 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 (184.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 7 Series.

The BMW 7 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 159.1 bhp per ton and 176.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1995 7 Series competing with the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 (184.0 bhp per ton) or the 1952 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Spider (184.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 7 Series generating around 176.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2010 Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo (201.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1997 Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta (201.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the BMW 7 Series 750i E38 Auto as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs). This BMW 7 Series 750i E38 Auto is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 7 Series and the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8

When talking about the performance of the BMW 7 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.19 secs @ 90.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 (15.14 secs), the 2005 Dodge Magnum 5.7 V8 RT (15.14 secs), and the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive (15.14 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1995 version of the BMW 7 Series 750i E38 Auto has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1995 7 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1995 BMW 7 Series 750i E38 Auto then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1995 7 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison