Driving Impression
While not blindingly fast, the 4.4L had no problem getting the 4,780-pound sedan up to speed quickly-and quietly. If we had to guess, we'd say the Bimmer was capable of high 14- or low 15-second quarter-mile times and should do endless burnouts with the kind of torque it makes. However, our inability to successfully turn the traction control completely off kept us from taking it to the dragstrip and adding a few thousand additional miles to the rear tires.
Fuel Economy
Although we were very friendly with the accelerator when we had it, we still managed to get 21.7 mpg throughout a week's worth of driving. Seventy-mph highway driving could yield 30 mpg, but not hot-rodding around town, running it on the dyno, or letting three different drivers try their hand behind the wheel. But, as hard as we were on the car, our 21.7 mpg number wasn't that far from BMW's claim of 24.7 mpg in combined city and highway driving.
All in all, what we thought the big Bimmer lacked in pickup-truck utility, it made up for with one of the plushest rides, and what seemed like limitless driver and passenger features. And, aside from its exterior badging, most drivers on the road had no idea that the sedan was in fact a diesel. According to BMW, the 745d is 17.6 percent more fuel efficient, more powerful, and faster than its 740i gasoline-powered cousin. If only the American automobile market would see what Europeans do- it's called the diesel advantage.
Specifications
Estimated Price: $140,000
Engine: V-8 twin-turbo
Type: Eight-cylinder diesel
Displacement: 269.9 cubic inches (4.4L)
Bore: 3.4 inches
Stroke: 3.7 inches
Valvetrain: Dual overhead cam, four valves per cylinder
Fuel System: Piezo common-rail injectors
Compression Ratio: 17.0:1
Horsepower: 329 hp at 3,800 rpm
Torque: 553 lb-ft from 1,900 rpm to 2,500 rpm
Transmission: Steptronic six-speed automatic with manual controls