Generation history
BMW 7 Series generations and next redesign.
The BMW 7 Series has been through 7 generations, starting in 1977, 1986, 1994, 2001, 2008, 2015 and 2022. The gaps were 9, 8, 7, 7, 7, 7 years, an average of 7.5. The pace has been steady. The current generation began in 2022. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2029 through 2031, centered on 2030. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the BMW 7 Series model page.
Every generation
The BMW 7 Series, generation by generation.
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
|---|
| First generation | E23 | 1977–1986 | The E23 is the first generation 7 Series and was produced from 1977 to 1987. |
|---|
| Second generation | E32 | 1986–1994 | The E32 is the second generation of the 7 Series, which was produced from 1986 to 1994. |
|---|
| Third generation | E38 | 1994–2001 | The E38 is the third generation of the 7 Series, which was produced from 1994 to 2001. |
|---|
| Fourth generation | E65/E66/E67/E68 | 2001–2008 | The E65/E66/E67/E68 is the fourth generation 7 Series, which was produced from 2001 to 2008. |
|---|
| Fifth generation | F01/F02/F03/F04 | 2008–2015 | The F01/F02/F03/F04 is the fifth-generation 7 Series, which was produced from 2008 to 2015. |
|---|
| Sixth generation | G11/G12 | 2015–2022 | The G11/G12 is the sixth generation of the 7 Series, which entered production in 2015. |
|---|
| Seventh generation | G70/G73 | 2022–present | |
|---|
The BMW 7 Series spent 7.5 years per generation on average. The current one is 4 years old. Treat 2029 to 2031 as a range, not a date.
Source: BMW 7 Series (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the BMW 7 Series model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
What each BMW 7 Series generation changed.
First generation, 1977 to 1986
The E23 is the first generation 7 Series and was produced from 1977 to 1987. It was built in a 4-door sedan style with 6-cylinder engines, to replace the E3 sedans. From 1983 to 1987, a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine was available in some markets. The E23 introduced many electronic features for the first time in a BMW, including an onboard computer, a service interval indicator, a "check control panel" (warning lights to indicate system faults to the driver), a dictaphone, and complex climate control systems.
Second generation, 1986 to 1994
The E32 is the second generation of the 7 Series, which was produced from 1986 to 1994. It was initially available with a straight-six or V12 engine, the latter being Germany's first passenger car with a V12 since World War II. In 1992, V8 engines became available. The E32 introduced the following features for the first time in a BMW: Electronic Damper Control, V12 and V8 engines, double glazing, the CAN bus electronic protocol, Xenon headlamps, traction control and dual-zone climate control.
Third generation, 1994 to 2001
The E38 is the third generation of the 7 Series, which was produced from 1994 to 2001. The model range consisted of standard length and long wheelbase ("iL" models) sedans. The petrol engines available consisted of straight-six, V8 and V12 engines. The E38 was the first 7 Series to be available with a diesel engine; initially, a turbocharged straight-six, which was joined by a twin-turbocharged V8 in 1999.
Fourth generation, 2001 to 2008
The E65/E66/E67/E68 is the fourth generation 7 Series, which was produced from 2001 to 2008. The model range consisted of standard length and long wheelbase ("Li" models) sedans. The E65/E66/E67/E68 was the first BMW to include iDrive, "flame-surfacing" exterior styling, active anti-roll bars, a 6-speed automatic transmission, an electronic smart Key (dispensing with the traditional metallic key) and night vision. The 760i model was the world's first production V12 engine to use direct injection.
Fifth generation, 2008 to 2015
The F01/F02/F03/F04 is the fifth-generation 7 Series, which was produced from 2008 to 2015. The model range consisted of standard length and long wheelbase ("Li" models) sedans. The F01 was the first BMW to be available with a hybrid drivetrain ("ActiveHybrid 7"), 8-speed automatic transmission, and a turbocharged V12 engine. It was also the first 7 Series to be available with a turbocharged petrol engine and all-wheel drive (xDrive).
Sixth generation, 2015 to 2022
The G11/G12 is the sixth generation of the 7 Series, which entered production in 2015. It was revealed on June 10, 2015, at BMW's headquarters in Munich. An official public reveal took place at the 2015 International Motor Show Germany. G11 is the codename for the short-wheelbase model, the Long-wheelbase model is codenamed G12 and designated with an additional L letter.
Seventh generation, 2022 to today
The BMW G70 debuted in April 2022. It has an electric variant, the BMW i7, along with Inline 6 740i and V8 760i models. It adopts horizontally split headlight units featured on the X7 LCI which was also launched in April 2022. Engine options remain similar with 3.0-litre Inline 6 and 4.4-litre V8 options but no more V12 engines will be offered.
Generation notes adapted from BMW 7 Series (Wikipedia).
Today's BMW 7 Series
What the current generation is, and how it has held up.
BMW 7 Series at a glance
- Production
- 1977–present
- Class
- Full-size luxury car (F)
- Body style
- 4-door saloon
- Predecessor
- BMW New Six