Alternatively, a Stratus Grey car with Ecru Merino leather and matching Ecru piped floor mats combined with Dark-grain Ash wood is also offered. Both variants are specified with a bespoke bi-colour Sports steering wheel, anthracite headlining and unique 19-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels.

The 730d SE Exclusive Edition and 730Ld SE Exclusive Edition cost Pounds Sterling 56,335 and Pounds Sterling 58,935 on-the-road respectively with the Carbon Black option. The cost of the standard wheelbase car in Stratus Grey is Pounds Sterling 55,845, while the long-wheelbase version retails for Pounds Sterling 58,445.

In addition to specifying a 7 Series Exclusive Edition, customers can further upgrade their car with a plethora of hi-tech systems. Chief among these is Night Vision for enhanced night-time driving safety. BMW was the world's first premium manufacturer to offer such a system making the BMW 7 Series one of the most technologically advanced cars available in the world. Complementing this cutting edge technology, the likes of Active Cruise Control, Adaptive Headlights, High Beam Assistant and Dynamic Drive are also offered on all BMW 7 Series cars.

The BMW 7 Series has proven to be the success story of the year for BMW with all available cars sold out and dealers pushing for more production from the Dingolfing factory in Germany. Since the full range of engines were introduced on the 7 Series in 2003 (735i and 745i was introduced in 2002), the 730d has remained the UK's most popular engine of choice. The 730d and 730Ld typically accounts for three quarters of all 7 Series sales.


Prices

ModelPrice OTR
BMW 730i SE to BMW 730i Sport Pounds Sterling 52,270 to Pounds Sterling 55,895
BMW 730d SE to BMW 730d Sport Pounds Sterling 50,875 to Pounds Sterling 54,505
BMW 730d Exclusive Edition Pounds Sterling 55,845 to Pounds Sterling 56,335
BMW 740i to BMW 740i Sport Pounds Sterling 56,595 to Pounds Sterling 60,225
BMW 750i to BMW 750i Sport Pounds Sterling 61,045 to Pounds Sterling 64,675
BMW 760i to BMW 760Li Pounds Sterling 81,605

BMW 730Li SE to BMW 730Li Sport Pounds Sterling 50,120 to Pounds Sterling 55,895
BMW 730Ld SE to BMW 730Ld Exclusive Edition Pounds Sterling 48,725 to Pounds Sterling 54,505
BMW 730Ld Exclusive Edition Pounds Sterling 58,445 to Pounds Sterling 58,935
BMW 740Li to BMW 740Li Sport Pounds Sterling 56,595 to Pounds Sterling 60,225
BMW 750Li to BMW 750Li Sport Pounds Sterling 61,045 to Pounds Sterling 64,675
BMW 760Li Pounds Sterling 83,730



8. The BMW X5

Despite attacks from all sides from competitor vehicles that mimic BMW's iconic X5, BMW's largest premium Sports Activity Vehicle comes to the British International Motor Show following its best ever year of sales in the UK. Now in its seventh year of production, the BMW X5 is more popular than ever. In 2005 in the UK 10,808 were sold, up 28 per cent on 2004.

The BMW 3.0d Le Mans Blue Sport Edition is showcased at the ExCeL exhibition centre. Fitted as standard with 20-inch light alloy wheels, aluminium running boards, Le Mans Blue metallic paint and Nappa leather and Alcantara upholstery in addition to the standard specification of a Sport model, this exclusive car represents significant value to buyers.

Powered by a 218hp 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, the X5 3.0d combines the economy of a diesel with the performance expected of a BMW. For those buyers who prefer the driving characteristics of a petrol-powered car, the X5 can also be specified with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with 231hp.

While the performance of the two six-cylinder powerplants will prove suitably rapid for most, two high-performance V8 engines are also offered. The 4,398cc engine of the BMW X5 4.4i uses BMW's unique VALVETRONIC variable valve technology to produce 320hp and propel the car to a possible 149mph top speed.

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