Performance Review: BMW 7 Series 740i E32 - [1992]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 7 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 7 Series 740i E32 is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1992. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular BMW 7 Series has a 3982cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 7 Series shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. 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 1790 kgs (3946 lbs) this makes the BMW 7 Series 740i E32 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 7 Series shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3982cc 32V V8 engine produces 282 bhp (210 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 295 lb-ft (399.9 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 1992 Jaguar XJ R-S 6.0 V12 (182.5 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 157.5 bhp per ton and 164.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1992 7 Series competing with the 1992 Jaguar XJ R-S 6.0 V12 (182.5 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE (182.5 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 164.8 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 2013 Peugeot RCZ R 1.6 Turbo (189.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1984 Porsche 944 Turbo (189.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.6 secs, this made the BMW 7 Series 740i E32 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (7.40 secs) the or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet (7.40 secs). This BMW 7 Series 740i E32 is also faster than the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs) the and the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 7 Series and the 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d

When talking about the performance of the BMW 7 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.27 secs @ 89.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d (15.20 secs), the 2017 BMW 5 Series 54.d xDrive Touring G31 (15.22 secs), and the 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo (15.23 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1992 version of the BMW 7 Series 740i E32 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1992 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 1992 BMW 7 Series 740i E32 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:

1992 7 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison