BMW is never one that miss a anniversary with a grand prime, BMW celebrates 30 years of V12 engines in its range-topping 7 Series this year – it was back in 1987 that the V12-powered 750i was born. A little tenuous, perhaps, but it does give the brand a neat link to this, its latest flagship, the extensively named M760Li xDrive.
Let’s talk through that nomenclature: M because this model is born from the new M Performance line-up; 760 because, well, there’s a 6.6-litre V12 engine under the bonnet (we don’t get that bit, either); L for long-wheelbase configuration; i for a petrol model and xDrive denotes four-wheel drive.
Of all those numbers and letters, it’s the M badge that is most important. Especially because of the work BMW’s M team has done on the engine. It’s a beast, producing 602bhp and 800Nm of torque – enabling this car to get from 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds. That, officially, makes it the fastest production BMW ever made. Yes, in a long-wheelbase luxury saloon that’s 5,238mm long and weighs 2.2 tonnes.
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The guys and girls at M have also been hard at work on the dynamics, giving the four-wheel-drive system a rear-drive bias, tweaking the aerodynamics and tuning the sound from the V12. There’s also the latest Executive Drive Pro Suspension with active roll stabilisation to adjust the feel of the car according to the conditions and your mood, plus all the safety, connectivity and infotainment kit you’d expect from a flagship – as well as a few more tasty treats on the options list.
The engine, though, doesn’t really have the punch the title of ‘fastest ever BMW’ suggests. You need to have the car in Sport mode for better throttle response (it’s a little languid in Comfort), but there’s never really the punch that you might expect – it’s more like an aircraft on take-off than that first kick in the kidneys of a rollercoaster.
That’s not to say it isn’t fast – it is – but there’s a slight lack of drama and excitement, including the sound, while the gearbox is a little hesitant when you kick down, too. The slightly cheaper Mercedes-AMG S 63L might not match the BMW’s performance on paper, but it actually feels faster in a straight line and sounds a whole lot more thrilling. The Mercedes doesn’t hide its weight quite as well, though, with the BMW feeling more agile than these cars have a right to.
Away from the track – and let’s be honest, we doubt any owners will use their M760Li xDrives as track day specials – the car plays its luxury hand well. On a cruise you’ll enjoy an impressive level of refinement and a plush ride.
However, there is an M badge on this car and the interior doesn’t do a lot to remind you of that. Yes, it’s a thing of beauty and quality that’s more than a match for anything else, but it’s similar to any other 7 Series. We’d have liked a few sportier M-style flourishes inside, at least as no-cost options.
The exterior is a bit more exciting, though. The 7 is already a great looking luxury car – and you can have it in two flavours: M with a tastefully sporting bent and special 20-inch alloys or Excellence with more chrome and luxury exterior trim that’s aimed mainly at the lucrative Chinese market.
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