---
title: "BMW 740e Spearheads New iPerformance Line"
description: "Think of it as M Performance, except for the environmentally conscious."
date: "2016-02-18"
modified: "2016-02-18"
authors:
  - name: "Jonathon Ramsey"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jonathon-ramsey"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/2232/bmw-740e-spearheads-new-iperformance-line"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "7 Series"
  - "BMW"
  - "Electric Cars"
  - "hybrid"
  - "luxury"
  - "sedan"
---

# BMW 740e Spearheads New iPerformance Line

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/archive-images/021816-bmw-740e-hero.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

BMW broke the EV mold with the creation of its i lineup, and it’s now going to spread that i-onic love and technology through the core range. The iPerformance sub-brand will be introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, spearheaded by the new 740e, a plug-in hybrid version of BMW’s loftiest scow. Identifying details are blue trim elements added to the kidney grille and wheel hubs, an eDrive logo on the C-pillar, and a BMW i logo on the fenders above the vent. Once the [7-Series](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/1025/the-new-bmw-750i-is-a-middle-finger-to-the-s-class>) ushers in the practice this March, the iPerformance treatment will be applied to the other three plug-in hybrids as of July: the 330e sedan, X5 xDrive 40e, and 2-Series Active Tourer 225xe.

![021816-bmw-740e-art-1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/021816-bmw-740e-art-1.jpg>)

Think of it as M Performance, except for the environmentally conscious, antipodal to [both the Alpina B7 and BMW 760Li](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/2183/alpina-b7-vs-bmw-m760i-xdrive>). But iPerformance is rooted in genuine technology transfer; the carbon-fiber knowledge BMW acquired in building the i3 and [i8](<https://www.thedrive.com/supercars/500/here-are-4-things-i-learned-driving-a-bmw-i8-last-weekend>) is used in the 740e’s lightweight Carbon Core passenger cell, and the electronic control systems [are direct descendants](<https://paultan.org/2016/02/12/bmw-740e-iperformance-full-details-revealed-2-0-litre-phev-326-hp-0-100-kmh-in-5-6-seconds-2-1-l100-km/>) of those in the two EVs.

![021816-bmw-740e-art-3.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/021816-bmw-740e-art-3.jpg>)

The powertrain here is the 3-liter turbo four-cylinder taken from the base 730i, with 258 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. A 19-kWh lithium-ion battery juices an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed transmission, providing another 113 horses and 184 lb-ft of torque. Total combined output is 326 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, said to be good for 25 all-electric miles and 112 mpg in European testing. The electric boogaloo is a 5.5-second sprint from standstill to 62 mph for the long-wheelbase xDrive model; top speed in electric mode is 75 mph.

![021816-bmw-740e-art-4.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/021816-bmw-740e-art-4.jpg>)

About the only compromise is a smaller trunk volume, down from 18 to 15 cubic feet. The upside is that the sedan is all about making the most of its small electric range: [Auto eDrive and Max eDrive ](<https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/2017-bmw-740e-iperformance-news-specs-efficiency/>)modes enforce your preferred electric discipline; the navigation can be directed to select EV-friendly routing; the battery [can be charged in four hours](<https://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/geneva/2016/bmw-to-electrify-geneva-with-740e-plug-in-hybrid-i8-protonic-red/>) from a wall outlet, or three via BMW’s i Wallbox. BMW hasn’t divulged pricing, but one source says we should figure on [something around $89,000](<https://insideevs.com/bmw-740e-iperformance-to-be-presented-at-the-geneva-motor-show/>), which would slot it between the 740i and 750i.

We’ll have more for you from the Geneva show floor in a few weeks.

![021816-bmw-740e-art-2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/021816-bmw-740e-art-2.jpg>)

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