[12] 745li Bmw At Daily Gossip

BMW launched its first full-size performance machine in the South African market, courtesy of the 745i, which was fitted with the BMW M6's naturally-aspirated, 24-valve 3.4-liter straight-6. This true "M" engine - with a 7,000 rpm redline - propelled the 745i to a top speed of 150 mph with the 5-speed manual transmission, or 145 mph with the 4-speed automatic (Europe's turbocharged 745i topped out at 138 mph, and later at 141 mph.) The manual has a sport shift pattern with the first gear off to the left, while second and third, as well as fourth and fifth, share a gear plane. As interesting as his variation was, BMW never really followed it up. While Mercedes-Benz makes successful AMG versions of its S-class and Audi has offered S8 derivatives of the A8, BMW left sporty 7 Series derivatives to the tuning firm of Alpina. This will change over the next few years with one or more M Performance models – expect one of them to be a tri-turbocharged straight-6 diesel. These M Performance models could do especially well in the U.S., where even the largely cosmetic M Sport package has a remarkable 20-percent take rate.