BMW M760Li xDrive V12 debuts with Alpina B7 in its sights
The second 600-horsepower 7-series in as many days is revealed - but this one has twelve cylinders
Fans of wildly over-engined vehicles can rejoice at the news BMW has decided to introduce a new V12 range-topper in the 7-series range.
The BMW M760Li xDrive V12 – which we’ll refer to as the M760 from now on to save your bandwidth – packs a 6592cc, 12-cylinder engine behind its kidney grilles, with each bank of the vee granted its own single-scroll turbocharger.
Combined with Double-Vanos variable cam timing, direct injection and intercooling, the M760 returns figures of 592bhp and 590lb ft of torque.
Those figures would look all the more impressive had Alpina not already revealed its own 600bhp, 590lb ft 7-series in the last few days, but those swayed by the allure of extra cylinders will no doubt lean towards BMW’s own offering despite the horsepower deficit.
There’s very little in the acceleration figures. A 3.9-second 0-62mph time is quoted of the M760, while the Alpina B7 reaches 60mph precisely in 3.6. The engineers at Buchloe have binned the speed limiter though, letting the B7 run on to 193mph where BMW’s car wafts its way to a limited 155mph. Cruelly, BMW has seen fit to equip the car with a 205mph speedometer to gloat at you through the electronic net.
BMW continues to extol the virtues of the 7-series’ Carbon Core structure, and the effect it has on enhancing the luxury saloon’s handling. In M760 form there’s standard air suspension and Dynamic Damper Control, with an updated version of the roll-reducing Dynamic Drive system. Executive Drive Pro further bolsters the car’s cruising capabilities by preconditioning the suspension for the road ahead.
Rolling stock consists of 20-inch, double-spoke M alloy wheels, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres – 245/40 R20 at the front, and 275/35 R20 at the rear.
They’re steered via a variable-rate steering rack and active rear-wheel steering, and power is sent to all four with xDrive permanent all-wheel drive. While we can’t imagine many owners taking such a luxury barge to its limits, the xDrive system will nevertheless apportion torque to whichever axle needs it most.
Exterior styling tweaks justify the use of M badging, with a new front bumper with larger air intakes, new trim elements at the lower edge of the doors, a more aggressive rear apron and a twin-tailpipe setup. Those wishing to go further can option an M rear spoiler. Inside, you’ll find a selection of M logos, M pedals and sill plates with illuminated V12 logos.
Adaptive LED headlights are standard, and occupants can enhance their long-wheelbase experience further with adjustable comfort seats in both the front and rear, sunblinds, and a whole suite of BMW ConnectedDrive technologies.
An optional V12 Excellence Design package adds snazzier 20-inch alloy wheels, a bright chrome bar extending across the top of the air intakes, silver kidneys and LED foglamps in the front bumper. More chrome trim graces the side, the rear exhaust emits a slightly subtler note than the standard car, and the interior enjoys a smattering of wooden elements.
The price of all this luxury – and those twelve cylinders – hasn’t yet been announced, but BMW plans an on-sale date towards the end of 2016.
