The 4.4-liter V8 that powers the 740i (and the 740iL) produces 282 horsepower. Swiss watches should have the same engineering elegance. Bosch HFM-Motronic M5.2.1 fuel injection with adaptive knock control and VANOS variable valve timing improve torque at lower rpm (324 pounds-feet at 3700 rpm). The V8 engine provides good acceleration performance and is certified for the government's LEV, or low emission vehicle, standard.

All 7 Series models come equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The 740iA Sport Package ($2800) adds Steptronic transmission control. This transmission allows the driver to change gears using a semi-automatic mode. After sliding the shifter to the left, the lever can be moved rearward to select a lower ratio; moving it forward shifts it into a higher gear. Steptronic can be overridden; sudden full throttle will cause it to downshift, and it will upshift when maximum revs are reached.

The Sport also has a shorter final drive ratio, 3.15:1 instead of the usual 2.93:1, for quicker acceleration. It also includes a torque converter with a higher stall speed for a quicker jump off the line. Underneath, the 740i Sport retains the basic 7 Series suspension: double-pivot strut-type front suspension with forged aluminum lower arms, and four-link independent rear suspension with twin-tube shocks, and anti-roll bars front and rear. But the front suspension is lower by 0.8-inch, springs are 10-percent and 25-percent firmer front and rear while shocks are twice as firm as on the standard 740i. The 740i Sport Package also gets a bigger front anti-roll bar - 22 mm vs. 20.5 mm.

The sharp-eyed may notice the lowered front end and Shadowline exterior trim (matte-black replacing chrome around the side windows, body-side molding and windshield washer jets). The most obvious external cues to the Sport Package are the elegant 18-inch M Parallel Spoke wheels, eight inches wide in front and nine and a half inches at the rear. The front rims are mounted with 235/50ZR-18 performance tires while the rears are wrapped with fantastic 255/45ZR-18 performance rubber.