In 1996, the engine range was revised for the BMW 7 Series E38 launched in 1994. A new entry-level model powered by a six-cylinder engine was presented with the BMW 728i. The displacement of the BMW 730i was expanded by some 500 cc in order to differentiate the eight-cylinders from this model and the BMW 735i replaced the 730i in the model range. The bigger displacement came with an increase in power to 235 hp (173 kW). This also meant that there was a gap to the six-cylinder model on the performance side.