When Size Matters

Large and in charge. Big is beautiful. Size matters. Yes, there are endless clichés to support the notion that the bigger something is, the better it is. In the automotive kingdom, some vehicles not only adhere to this philosophy, but redefine it. We aren’t talking the puny realm of offerings like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry or even Dodge Charger. No, this is for the serious four wheeled hippos. The cars where it is more fun to be in the backseat than the front seat.

If you have more money to burn than the average NFL Quarterback, then there are some serious vehicles you can buy that are seriously long. How about the 220.9-inch Phantom Coupe? Not long enough for you? You could upsize to the 239.8-inch Phantom extended-wheelbase sedan, or maybe the 242.7-inch Maybach 62?

But for the rest of us mere mortals, there are some sizable vehicles out there under $100,000. Heck, two of the top ten are even under $30,000. So we will now present to you the top ten vehicles that are longer than The Hobbit.

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BMW is bringing the twin-turbocharged six-cyinder 7 Series to North America.

The 2011 BMW 740i and BMW 740Li will be available for sale in the United States in Spring 2010. Both are powered by twin-turbo 3.0L inline six engines with a claimed power output of 315 hp and 330 ft-lb. of torque.

The 740i and 740Li join the V8 750i/750Li and V12 760Li in BMW’s flagship line in North America.

Another example of BMW’s EfficientDynamics “virtual displacement” concept, the twin-turbo inline six promises the power of a V8 but the fuel consumption of a six-cylinder engine.

Other EfficientDynamic features include all-aluminum construction, direct fuel injection, double-VANOS variable camshaft technology and brake energy regeneration.

Both the BMW 740i and BMW 740Li will be available with all 7 Series options including the M Sport, driver assistance, luxury seating, rear entertainment and BMW Individual Composition packages.

Gallery: 2011 BMW 740i / 740Li

Official release after the jump:

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