2013 BMW 7-series Range Priced

BMW’s biggest sedan, the 7-series, was comprehensively updated for 2013 and now we’ve got pricing info on the entire 7er lineup. The 7 enters this new model year with tweaked six- and eight-cylinder engines, a new eight-speed automatic, and a refocused ActiveHybrid 7 model. (We’ve previously laid out the changes to the ActiveHybrid 7 and the rest of the 7-series lineup.) Besides both the six-cylinder 740i and eight-cylinder 750i gaining more power—the twelve-cylinder 760i went unchanged—BMW also added an all-wheel-drive model to the 740i line. As expected, every 2013 7-series costs more than last year—with the exception of the ActiveHybrid 7. Significantly, the hybrid sees a massive price cut relative to the 2011 version—the hybrid took a yearlong hiatus for 2012. Full pricing info below:

740i: $74,195740Li: $78,195740Li xDrive: $81,195ActiveHybrid 7: $84,895750i: $87,195750i xDrive: $90,195750Li: $90,895750Li xDrive: $93,895760Li: $140,200 

Overall, the modest price increases year-over-year for the non-hybrid 2013 7-series accurately reflect the added value BMW built in, but the ActiveHybrid 7’s pricing is pretty interesting. The first ActiveHybrid 7 was positioned similarly to the Lexus LS600h hybrid, with the electric assist intended to give the eight-cylinder sedan the power of a V-12 but with V-8 fuel economy. For 2013, BMW ditched the original system for the same setup used in the smaller 2012 ActiveHybrid 5, which promises to be more efficient.

The switch from a V-8–based hybrid system to a six-cylinder-based one also brings a switch in the 2013 ActiveHybrid 7’s placement within the 7er lineup. Last year, both regular and long-wheelbase versions of the ActiveHybrid 7 were available, starting at $97,895 and $101,895, respectively. This year, the ActiveHybrid 7 is available only in long-wheelbase form and pricing begins at $84,895, placing it between the six-cylinder 740i and the 750i. It’s worth noting that the ActiveHybrid 5 shares an identical spot in between the six- and eight-cylinder models in the 5-series lineup; the new ActiveHybrid 3 is something of an anomaly and is priced higher than all non-M 3-series. 

Look for the 2013 7-series to begin hitting dealerships soon. Buyers looking for more sportiness can indulge in the also-refreshed 2013 Alpina B7, which is priced quite a bit higher than the regular 7, but also gets a ton of built-in, psuedo-M7-like upgrades.

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Kia Blows the Box Open on New 2014 Forte / K3 / Cerato Compact Sedan

As soon as Kia placed the new K3 compact sedan at a mall in its home market of South Korea, we knew it was only a matter of time before the automaker would blow the covers or in this case, the box off the compact sedan model. 

The first thing you need to know about the K3 is that it is a global model with the alphanumeric moniker used only in Korea where it goes on sale this fall.

In the first quarter of 2013, the sedan will begin arriving in North American dealerships as the 2014 Forte and in other markets as the new Cerato, with coupe and hatchback variants to follow in due time. We still do not know if Kia has plans to sell the compact saloon model in Europe.

"Longer, lower and wider than the current car, with an extended wheelbase, the next generation Forte / Cerato will be manufactured with an all-new bodyshell structure," Kia said in a short statement leaving many details up to our imagination. 

However, given its positioning in the market and the styling cues, it is believed that the K3 is based on the visually related European market Cee'd, which made its world premiere in both five-door hatchback and station wagon forms at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March. 

We expect more information to become available within the next few weeks, if not sooner. 

 

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2013 Lotus Evora S to Get Automatic

For the first time since the introduction of the supercharged Evora S, buyers will have the option of choosing between the standard six-speed manual transmission and Lotus’s Intelligent Precision Shift six-speed automatic.

The IPS six-speed transmission can be operated in four settings: a fully automatic mode; a manual mode with gear changes selected by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters; a fully automatic sport mode that increases throttle response, quickens shift times, holds gears longer, and raises the thresholds for stability control and electronic aids; and a manual sport mode that gives the driver full control over the transmission using the paddle shifters. 

Although the automatic is new to the Evora S, it’s been available on naturally aspirated Evoras since 2012. The automatic Evora S will be available beginning this October.

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