2003 BMW 7 Series Sedans - 203 BMW 745i, 2003 BMW 745Li Safety Features - iDrive Technology, Agility, Handling, and Safety Features

2003 "7 Series" Highlights

Functions at the multi-
function steering wheel

vocal input ON/OFF
volume control for radio,
telephone, etc.
telephone functions
radio channel search, channel
store
user-programmable button
L/D button (steptronic)
(L=Low, D=Drive)
downshift buttons on the face
of the steering wheel
Buttons can be operated
easily and quickly without
distracting the driver's
attention

Functions of the four
steering column stalks

automatic transmission
selector lever (tap function)
turn signal, low/high
beam, headlight flasher,
onboard computer
wiper system
programmable cruise control

Instrument cluster
This groups all the indicators
relevant to driving.

Range of indicators
reduced to the required
extent, other indicators
in the control display

All-new, very high-quality
appearance

Display adjusts auto-
matically to the ambient
lighting conditions,
so data can be optimally
read off

Displays in LCD technology

Start/stop button
For activating ignition, and
starting and stopping the
engine.

Ignition starter switch
This accepts the radio
remote control instead of
the conventional ignition
key. The steering lock
function no longer applies
(superseded by the
electronic circuit breaker.)

Radio remote control
(replaces ignition key)
This is inserted in the
ignition starter switch's
receiver slot when the
"ignition ON" function
is enabled

Ease of operation

Parking brake/automatic hold
Tapping this switch activates or dis-
engages the parking brake. The automatic
hold function automatically applies the
brakes when the vehicle comes to a
stop and so prevents, for example, the
car from rolling backwards on inclines.
This is activated via the Configuration
menu in the control display.

Greater ease of operation
compared with conventional
mechanical parking brakes

Automatic hold eases stress
in stop-and-go traffic

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Control center
This provides up to 700 individual
functions that are regulated by
the controller and can be viewed on
the control diaplay.

Controller
The comfort functions such as climate,
entertainment, communications, etc.
(see figure on the left) are controlled at
the push-pull rotary knob. The driver
can select functions analogously to
the points of the compass -easily and
without distraction. The function areas
are given a clearly defined structure.

Control display
The status of the functions activated
by the controller can be viewed on the
central large screen.

Classical switches
So that important functions such as
radio volume, interior temperature,
air distribution, rear window defogger,
and hazard warning flasher can
be activated quickly, the respective
switches are provided on the dashboard
in their usual places.

Easy operation for driver and
front seat passenger.

The display lies in the driver's
optimal line of vision, so no
distraction from the road traffic
conditions

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Considerably more
power with lower fuel
consumption
Better efficiency in mid
rpm range
Optimal power and
torque curves
More spontaneous
response

The new generation
V8 engine
Powering the 745i is a new
state-of-the-art engine featuring
sports car performance
characteristics and is capable
of propelling the vehicle to
0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds*,
while consuming less fuel than
its predecessor. The greatest
contribution to this amazing
performance can be attributed
to three BMW innovations:

Valvetronic regulates
output by varying intake
valve lift. Efficiency and
fuel consumption are con-
siderably enhanced.
The Double-VANOS adjusts
the intake and exhaust valve
timing to the respective
operating conditions. In this
manner it improves not only
the torque curve, but also
the fuel consumption values.
The steplessly variable
intake manifold helps to
further improve the torque
and power values. It con-
tinuously adjusts the intake
pipe length to the required
power and engine speed.
This gives rise to the optimal
torque and power values
over the whole engine speed
range.

*BMW AG preliminary data

World innovation 6-speed
automatic transmission
The greater steering axis inclina-
tion and the extra gear make
the 7 Series even more dynamic.
At the same time the fuel con-
sumption is reduced. The electric
gearshift enhances areas of use.

More dynamics
Lower fuel consumption
Lower weight
Greater ease of operation

Full aluminum suspension
carriers
According to the principle of
keeping unsprung weight as
low as possible, suspension
components are manufactured
from light alloy. The steering
rack is also light alloy and util-
izes Servotronic.

Superior performance
Excellent handling
Less unsprung weight
enhances ride comfort
Weight savings reduce fuel
consumption

New driving experience with
ARS (Active Roll Stabilization)
This new active chassis draws
intelligent conclusions from the
respective driving style. Stabilizers
controlled by sensors reduce
body roll to a great extent. This
decisively enhances the car's
handling in corners.

Greater directional stability
with high steering precision
Enhanced agility over the
whole speed range
Improved driving safety in
corners taken at speed

Almost imperceptible
body roll

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Parking brake
with automatic hold

The first electromechanical
parking brake fitted as standard
at an ergonomically perfected
position in the dashboard.

Prevents the car from
rolling back when starting
up inclines
Acts on all four wheels
during emergency braking
No mechanical cable

Active headrests on the
front comfort seat (optional)
In the event of a rear collision,
pyrotechnics are activated
to tilt the headrest foward and
so reduce the distance to
the head. This considerably
reduces the risk of injury to the
neck vertebrae.

Best possible protection
in the event of a rear
collision

More spontaneous
response compared with
mechanical systems

Side collision protection for
the front seats
Reinforced supports in the
seat and backrest areas and
absorption elements in the
seat linings enhance protec-
tion in the event of a side
collision.

Security glass (optional)
For all windows.

Protects against break-ins
Good insulating effects

Protects against UV radiation

Adaptive force limiter for
front seat belt
Sensors in the seat adjust the
belt force limiter to the weight
of the occupant in the event of
a collision.

Forces exerted by the belt
no higher than necessary

Clearly improved road illumination with
the high beam
Distinctive, independent, and clearly
visible night design

Headlamps with bi-xenon technology
incl. automatic range control
With this equipment, the outer headlamps
are equipped with low and high beams in
xenon technology. The inner headlamps are
designed - just as previously - with halogen
technology. This means a considerably
longer and wider light cone and therefore a
better uttlization of light. The side light is
designed with outer light ring technology as
used previously in the 5 Series.

New comfort wiper system
With reversing motor (optimized
wiper return) and wet arm tech-
nology (windshield washer jets
are integrated in the wiper arm).

Good visibility through
windows at all times
No impairment to visibility
during the spray process
Low water consumption,
best cleaning results

Head protection system
advanced HPS
This system is an improved devel-
opment of the well-known ITS
(inflatable tubular structure). It now
includes the rear passengers in
its range of operations and uses
a sail to prevent glass shards
from entering the occupant cell.

Overall better protection
effects compared with the
window bags of the other
competitors
Improved protection
against glass shards entering
the occupants cell
Up to fourteen sensors trigger
the correct airbag with the
correct volume at the crucial
moment
A total of ten airbags available

Active Knee Protection
This new restraint system is activated
when the front airbag is inflated. The
knee protection below the instrument
panel is instantly propelled in the
direction of the occupant by an addi-
tional airbag. In this way it effectively
absorbs an impact on the knees and
lower legs.

Additional restraint effective in the
pelvic area
Reduced risk of leg injuries in
the case of a head-on crash
Potential for reducing possible
head and chest injuries

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