The Transporter and His BMW 7 Series: When a Car Becomes the Hero
The action-thriller by Luc Besson and Corey Yuen introduced the world to a new kind of antihero — Frank Martin. His job: deliver the package from point A to point B, no questions asked. His style: flawless discipline, a tailored suit, and… a sleek black BMW 7 Series E38.
The BMW 735i E38 fits Frank Martin like a tailored suit. It’s sharp, understated, and powerful — a car that doesn’t need to shout to be taken seriously. Its black silhouette on the Riviera’s roads mirrors Frank’s own presence: disciplined, restrained, but always commanding attention.
Behind the wheel, the 7 Series delivers what Frank himself embodies: precision, speed, and absolute control. Every corner, every chase becomes a demonstration of his calculated efficiency. Unlike a flashy sports car, the BMW doesn’t distract — it reflects a man who values function, elegance, and unshakable reliability.
The Heart of the BMW 735i
Under the hood lies a 3.5‑liter V8 engine (M62B35), delivering 235 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and a hearty 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque at just 3,300 rpm, rising to 345 Nm (254 lb-ft) in later versions This compact, high-revving engine gives the 735i a confident turn of speed — 0 to 60 mph in around 7.2 seconds, and a top speed of about 151 mph (244 km/h).
Speed is just the start. The E38’s rear-wheel-drive layout, matched with a 5-speed automatic or manual gearbox, gives exceptional balance between composure and responsiveness. Ride comfort is managed through a combination of MacPherson struts up front and multi-link suspension at the rear, offering that refined but taut feel you’d expect from a luxury sedan prepared for action. And it stops just as well as it accelerates, with ventilated discs at all four corners.
Underneath its elegant exterior, the car is practical too — a spacious 500-liter trunk, a fuel tank that holds about 85 liters, and clever detailing separate it from the purely performance-focused supercars.
On top of that, the E38 was trailblazing for its era: the first European car equipped with factory satellite navigation, curtain airbags, and a built-in television option, making it as tech-forward as it was stylish.
Together, these features make the 735i more than a luxury sedan — it’s a composed predator on wheels. Frank’s choice isn’t just practical or bold; it's a deliberate reflection of a man who values precision, efficiency, and understated strength — qualities that his car embodies in every well-executed chase.
Under the hood lies a 3.5‑liter V8 engine (M62B35), delivering 235 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and a hearty 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque at just 3,300 rpm, rising to 345 Nm (254 lb-ft) in later versions This compact, high-revving engine gives the 735i a confident turn of speed — 0 to 60 mph in around 7.2 seconds, and a top speed of about 151 mph (244 km/h).
Speed is just the start. The E38’s rear-wheel-drive layout, matched with a 5-speed automatic or manual gearbox, gives exceptional balance between composure and responsiveness. Ride comfort is managed through a combination of MacPherson struts up front and multi-link suspension at the rear, offering that refined but taut feel you’d expect from a luxury sedan prepared for action. And it stops just as well as it accelerates, with ventilated discs at all four corners.
Underneath its elegant exterior, the car is practical too — a spacious 500-liter trunk, a fuel tank that holds about 85 liters, and clever detailing separate it from the purely performance-focused supercars.
On top of that, the E38 was trailblazing for its era: the first European car equipped with factory satellite navigation, curtain airbags, and a built-in television option, making it as tech-forward as it was stylish.
Together, these features make the 735i more than a luxury sedan — it’s a composed predator on wheels. Frank’s choice isn’t just practical or bold; it's a deliberate reflection of a man who values precision, efficiency, and understated strength — qualities that his car embodies in every well-executed chase.
Still from the film The Transporter (2002), © 20th Century Fox / EuropaCorp.
Why BMW?
The choice of the BMW 7 Series wasn’t about showing off — it was about character. At the turn of the 2000s, BMW had a reputation for precision engineering, executive elegance, and razor-sharp handling. The E38 in particular struck the perfect balance: it looked like a businessman’s limousine, but underneath it carried the heart of a driver’s car.
For Frank Martin, that duality mattered. A Lamborghini or Ferrari would have screamed for attention — not his style. He needed something discreet enough to blend in with the Riviera’s wealthy elite, yet capable of outmaneuvering anyone in a chase. The BMW 735i fit the role perfectly: understated in appearance, but lethal in performance when pushed to the edge.
There’s also the cultural angle. In Europe at the time, the E38 was a car of status and reliability — trusted by executives, diplomats, and even security services. Choosing it for The Transporter reinforced Frank’s image as a professional who lives by rules: calm, efficient, and always in control. Just like the man himself, the car doesn’t flaunt its power. It waits — and then delivers with ruthless precision.
There’s also the cultural angle. In Europe at the time, the E38 was a car of status and reliability — trusted by executives, diplomats, and even security services. Choosing it for The Transporter reinforced Frank’s image as a professional who lives by rules: calm, efficient, and always in control. Just like the man himself, the car doesn’t flaunt its power. It waits — and then delivers with ruthless precision.
Still from the film The Transporter (2002),
© 20th Century Fox / EuropaCorp.
© 20th Century Fox / EuropaCorp.
Legacy
But the BMW became more than a prop. It turned into a symbol of Frank Martin himself — a silent partner in his missions, as disciplined and reliable as the man behind the wheel. The E38 gave the film its unique European flavor: sleek, professional, and just a little dangerous.
But the BMW became more than a prop. It turned into a symbol of Frank Martin himself — a silent partner in his missions, as disciplined and reliable as the man behind the wheel. The E38 gave the film its unique European flavor: sleek, professional, and just a little dangerous.
The chase sequences with Frank Martin’s BMW in The Transporter are now considered among the finest examples of the car chase genre in modern cinema. They combined precision driving, inventive choreography, and the raw charisma of the E38 to create scenes that are still rewatched and analyzed by car enthusiasts and film fans alike.
Even as the franchise later shifted to Audi A8s in the sequels, fans never forgot the original. For many, the black 7 Series is the true Transporter’s car, the one that defined Jason Statham’s breakout role and set a new standard for stylish, high-octane action. Today, the film and the car are inseparable — and the E38 has earned its place not just in automotive culture, but in the mythology of action cinema.
