BMW introduced the 750iL in 1987 as the long-wheelbase flagship of the second-generation 7 Series, the E32. It was the first BMW road car to bring a modern V12 back to the brand’s luxury saloon lineup and immediately became a statement model for the company, combining the traditional BMW driver-focused character with a far more chauffeur-oriented rear cabin. The ‘iL’ designation identified the extended-wheelbase version, which was positioned above the regular 7 Series sedans as BMW’s most prestigious production sedan of the era.
The 750iL nameplate continued into the next-generation E38 7 Series, where BMW refined the formula rather than reinventing it. The E38 750iL kept the long-wheelbase focus and remained the top conventional sedan in the range through the end of the model’s run. Over time, the 750iL became closely associated with BMW’s flagship engineering, including the brand’s V12 heritage and its emphasis on quiet, high-speed touring comfort, making it one of the most recognizable luxury BMWs of the 1990s.
Production of the E38 750iL ended in 2001, closing the original 750iL era. The nameplate did not continue as a separate model into later 7 Series generations, which means the 750iL is remembered as a distinct historical flagship rather than a continuously used trim badge.