The 728i was a variant of the E38 BMW 7 Series that was introduced for the 1996 model year. Throughout its production, the 728i, and its long wheelbase 728iL sibling, represented the entry level offered for the 7 Series. When the 728i was launched, it was equipped with BMW's M52B28 engine. This 2.8L inline six engine generated 190hp, and was mated to manual and automatic transmission options sending power to the rear wheels. For the 1999 model year, BMW debuted an updated engine known as the M52TUB28. This engine featured similar power and torque figures, but notably, it featured a revised powerband with increased low-end torque. Production of the 728i ended in 2001 when the model series was discontinued.