Australia snares four BMW 7 Series 40 Jahre Edition

BMW Australia has secured four examples of the ultra-exclusive 7 Series 40 Jahre Edition – including the most expensive Beemer on sale – which will arrive by the end of this year.

Limited to 200 units globally, the Aussie vehicles – consisting of two 740i, one 750i and a single M760Li xDrive – command a premium of up to $42,500 over the variants on which they are based.

The 740i pair are $39,400 dearer than normal and check in at $267,500 before on-road costs each, while the 750i cops the aforementioned $42,500 increase with its inflated sticker price of $336,500.

Retaining its flagship position is the M760Li xDrive, which swells in cost by $18,500 to an eye-watering $443,500, making it the most expensive BMW on offer in Australia.

Revealed last month, the 40 Jahre Edition specials are primarily distinguished by several high-end luxury upgrades taken from BMW’s in-house Individual catalogue.

All four examples are finished in Frozen Silver metallic paintwork complemented by high-gloss Shadow Line trim and bi-colour 20-inch alloy wheels with a V-spoke design, while an M Sport package – including brakes – has been added to the 740i and 750i.

Inside, changes include Smoke White/black Merino full-leather upholstery, a Smoke White Alcantara roofliner, ‘7 40 Jahre’-branded Piano Black interior trim and Smoke White floor mats with contrasting black piping.

A ‘7 40 Jahre’ logo has been stitched into the front and rear headrests, as well as the rear headrest cushions, while the branding also appears on the door sill finishers and exterior B-pillar.

Rear comfort seats have been added to the 740i and 750i, while the mid-range variant also picks up a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system.

The three variants continue to be motivated by their donor model’s respective powertrains, meaning petrol engines mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission carry over.

The rear-wheel-drive 740i and 750i are propelled by a 240kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder and a 330kW/650Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 respectively.

Meanwhile, the all-wheel-drive M760Li xDrive is powered by monstrous 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 with outputs of 448kW/800Nm.

According to BMW Group Australia CEO Marc Werner, the 40 Jahre Edition is an appropriate way to celebrate 40 years of the 7 Series luxury sedan while building upon the current model’s successes.

“The latest generation has been well-received by Australian media, as well as consumers,” he said.

“Its combination of innovative technologies, high specification levels and traditional BMW driving experience driving it to segment leadership in 2017.”

Sales of the 7 Series have declined in 2017, with 105 units sold to the end of July, representing a 36.7 per cent decrease over the 166 examples moved during the same period in 2016.

However, the BMW is currently the best-selling model in its class this year, leading the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (88), Porsche Panamera (73), Maserati Quattroporte (22), Audi A8 (16), Jaguar XJ (15) and Lexus LS (3).

2017 BMW 7 Series 40 Jahre Edition

740i (a)	$267,500
750i (a)	$336,500
M760Li xDrive (a)	$443,500

*Excludes on-road costs