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BMW 740Ld xDrive Debuts at Chicago Auto Show

While our title can seem a little misleading, given the fact that Audi already offers the excellent A8 TDI and A7 TDI, but there's no question that the 740Ld does bring something a little different to the US, especially if you're a BMW fan.
BMW 740Ld xDrive 9 photos
Photo: Chris Doane Photography
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This brand new full-size luxury sedan model from Bavaria offers diesel performance like America has never seen it. Its grunt comes from a 3-liter inline-six, delivering 255-horsepower (258 PS) and 413 pound-feet of torque. Interestingly, that's not what you get in Europe, where this engine would have gone into the 730d, the 740d having about 310 hp there. Problems with homologation and costs stopped BMW from offering its more powerful engine, but it's not like the US-spec car is slow. 0 to 60 mph takes just 6.1 seconds, partly because of the slick 8-speed auto gearbox and partly due to the xDrive system which allows you to put the hammer down faster.

In the looks department, the big sedan we saw during the Chicago Auto Show is a sinister looking machine. With a black coat of paint and slick body kit, only the simpler exhaust to the left side of the car hints that a six-banger is lurking under the bonnet. There really is no shame in getting this car for the 30 mpg or so you're likely to get on the highway.

The new 740Ld xDrive will be available in BMW showrooms this spring, with prices starting at $82,500 plus $925 for the destination. For that money, Lexus's outdated LS hybrid can't really compete, but the Audi A8 L could be a cheaper alternative from $78,800.

The 740Ld joins a growing family of BMW diesel cars, which yesterday was also joined by the 2015 X3 xDrive28d.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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