The second generation of the BMW 7 Series (E32) was only supplied as a four-door sedan. However, a year after market launch in 1987, customers had the option of ordering a long version (iL) with a wheelbase extended by 11 cm. This primarily benefited passengers sitting in the rear of the vehicle. The design was created under the leadership of Chief Designer at the time Claus Luthe and was penned by Ercole Spada and Hans Kerschbaum. In 1992, the visual appearance and engineering of the model were revised. From 1991, Xenon headlamps could be ordered for the first time, a world innovation in series automobile production.