The folks over at Autoblog.nl continue their video reviews with the new 760Li, BMW’s flagship. The new BMW 760i and 760Li are powered by a completely new 6.0-liter V12 all-aluminum engine with Twin-Turbo Technology, High Precision Injection with fuel injected directly into the combustion chambers, and to BMW’s infinite double-VANOS camshaft adjustment as well as the eight-speed automatic transmission featured for the first time in a BMW.
The V12 engine outputs 544 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, with maximum torque of 533 lb-ft at 1,500. The wheelbase has been extended by 5.5 inch providing more passenger space and comfort. BMW 760Li runs from 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds and it offers improved fuel consumption over the previous model by 4.5 per cent.
BMW 760i and 760Li will be offered in both rear-wheel-drive but also all-wheel-drive.
The exterior design has been slightly modified to differentiate the 760 models from the others, the kidney grille for the radiator boasts an extra-wide chrome frame in slightly concave design as well as bars extending powerfully to the front. The 19-inch wheels are only available on these models and together with the V12 model designation on the chrome-plated gills with their integrated side direction indicators at the transition point between the front side panel and the driver’s and, respectively, front passenger’s door likewise help identify the high-end 7 Series.
Okay, maybe not the most appropriate review since the Porsche Panamera was thrown in there with the “big boys”, but our buddy Jason at Automobile Mag puts up a good show and a funny, but still informative review.
Let’s have a look.
“The BMW 760Li, the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, and the Porsche Panamera Turbo each enter the saloon with at least 500 horses of firepower tucked away beneath a façade of formality. They look benign enough, but when the dust starts flying, there are few steeds that can match their speed. They may all hail from Germany, but there’s something distinctly Wild West about these three sedans. And so we took them to Palm Springs, their natural habitat, for a gunslinging showdown.
The idea that a luxury sedan should be able to dice with a sports car is a relatively new one. Acceleration is relatively easy to achieve – just add more engine – but getting a big, cushy, heavy car to dance through the corners like a light sports car isn’t. And the very essence of a sports car – the lovely sounds, the tight body control, the connected steering – is exactly the opposite of a luxury sedan. Or so you’d think.
Thanks to computer-controlled suspensions, brilliant engineering, and colossal powertrains, these three Germans break all the rules. They’re do-everything machines – large, gilded cruisers with first-class interiors and all the latest techno-gizmos, and yet they can pull off sports car moves with almost no penalty to comfort. On the surface, the BMW, the Mercedes, and the Porsche are very similar: They cost the same. They’re all similarly powerful – and have so much brute force at their disposal that they start out in second gear unless you request otherwise. And yet, in the details, they couldn’t be more different.
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BMW 760LI
THE GOOD
You could describe the BMW 760Li as angelic. If ever there was a divine luxury sedan, this would be it.
It may not be the most visually stunning car in the world, but nothing about the 7-series’ design will offend you, either. In fact, the 7-series seems as though it were designed to be the least offensive car on the planet. That’s really no surprise: BMW certainly knew where it stood as far as the last 7-series was concerned – its design and user interface generated almost ceaseless commentary. And although its creators denied any and all wrongdoing, they obviously listened very closely, because they addressed every complaint. In stark contrast to its predecessor, the new 7-series is subtle and understated in every way. Except, of course, for its exceptional performance.
With a curb weight of more than 5000 pounds, the 760Li is no lightweight, but a number of factors conspire to hide that mass. First among them is the absolutely ludicrous thrust provided by the 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 under the hood. At peak, 535 horses trample the pavement, but far more impressive than what this engine does at its pinnacle is what it can sustain: 550 lb-ft of torque available from 1500 rpm all the way to 5000 rpm. That means warp-speed acceleration is easily available with a twitch of a right toe; no big downshifts needed, no big revs required. And no notice given – the V-12 is barely audible from either inside or outside the car.
The folks over at Automobile Mag got their hands on the new 760Li, BMW’s newest flagship, the $137,000 high-end luxury sedan. Before we jump into the review, let us give you a quick summary on the new 7er.
The new BMW 760i and 760Li are powered by a completely new 6.0-litre V12 all-aluminum engine with Twin-Turbo Technology, High Precision Injection with fuel injected directly into the combustion chambers, and to BMW’s infinite double-VANOS camshaft adjustment as well as the eight-speed automatic transmission featured for the first time in a BMW.
The V12 engine outputs 544 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, with maximum torque of 533 lb-ft at 1,500. The wheelbase has been extended by 5.5 inch providing more passenger space and comfort.
While we’re anxiously waiting for our own test car, let’s take a look at their review.
That’s right – not only does the 760Li have power to spare, it has an abundance of gears, too. Between the enormous engine and the abused rear tires lies a ZF automatic transmission with eight forward speeds – the most ever in a BMW. First gear is used only in Sport mode and at the risk of leaving behind a cloud of tire smoke. Eighth is superlong for relaxed cruising – the engine turns over at an almost inaudible 3600 rpm while oozing down the autobahn at its governed top speed of 155 mph. Allowed to run free, the 760Li could attain another 50 mph or so, and it’s precisely these tremendous performance reserves that make the BMW flagship seem so relaxed even in the fastest traffic.
Double-glazed windows ensure that only a whisper of wind noise enters the cabin. Equipped as standard with almost every option available on lesser 7s, the 760Li is a rolling technology showcase whether you’re up front or in the capacious rear seating area. Many of BMW’s newest driver-assistance systems – blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, rear- and sideview cameras, high-beam assistant, and a head-up display – are included in the price of entry. Integral active steering (which varies the steering ratio in addition to using the rear wheels to steer the car) is also standard.
Just days ago, BMW dealerships across the country reported that the new 2010 BMW 760Li is available to order. With a base price of $136,000, the 760Li is far from being considered a bargain, but so far the media reviews have been unexpectedly positive.
Even though the new 760Li doesn’t differentiate itself by much from the regular 750Li, the technology and performance available in this new model is quite impressive and unique. The top of the line 7er is powered by an all new 6.0 liter V12 Twin-Turbo engine which produces 535 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque.
For the first time, the new ZF eight-speed automatic transmission is featured in a BMW model, beside the upcoming 550i GT.
Autocar UK has given the 760Li a fairly positive review and today, our friends at Motor Trend are sharing their thoughts on the 760Li:
John Dillinger, the Chicago gangster, passed away 75 years ago this month. It was he who was said to have written to Henry Ford to compliment him on the excellence of his getaway cars. Okay, the letter, in the Henry Ford Museum, is now thought to be a fake, but were Dillinger still with us, we’d suggest a BMW 760Li might be the perfect replacement for the aging Dearborn jalopy.
For the rest of us, it’s a little hard to spot the point of the 760Li. Does anyone consider the current top Seven, the twin-turbo V-8 750Li, too slow? Too unrefined? Doesn’t BMW look a little flat-footed for launching such an engine into today’s constricted market?
Well yes, the engine (it’s pretty much all-new) was given the go-ahead in better times. Times when it was envisioned the now canceled — or at least stalled — concept CS coupe would have provided another home for the V-12.
But on the other hand, the BMW engineers don’t hide the fact that much of the base engine and its production line are shared with the unit in the forthcoming Rolls-Royce Ghost, which helps defray the cost. And of the 760i and 760Li, global output is expected to be a respectable 10,000 units annually. That’s not a bad little trade. About a quarter of those BMW V-12s will go to the USA and another quarter to China. You read that right: equal sales for the USA and China.
But who are those buyers? People who want the best, says BMW.
While European journalists are currently enjoying the new BMW 760i and 760Li, BMW has decided to publish the official press release filled with all the information around these two new models. To spoil us even more, a series of videos have been posted as well, showing us the interior and exterior design of BMW’s most expensive production road car - the 760Li sells for $136,000 in the U.S.
Here is the press release along with 65 pages of information, technical details and ….more information.
Supreme motoring culture and luxurious comfort in perfection: The new BMW 760i and BMW 760Li twelve-cylinders mark the pinnacle of the fifth-generation BMW 7 Series. Superior powertrain technology, generous space and comfort, and unique features all round create an incomparable driving and traveling experience impressively confirming BMW’s leading position in the global market of luxury performance cars. Two body variants and a wide range of customization options provide a huge margin of freedom for enjoying the exclusivity of this twelve-cylinder luxury saloon in your own, very personal style. Together with the BMW 760i, the BMW 760Li with its wheelbase extended by 140 millimeters or 5.5″ and particular emphasis on rear-seat comfort is also entering the market as the absolute climax in motoring luxury.
The newly developed V12 power unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, -High Precision Injection and double-VANOS infinite camshaft adjustment delivers maximum output of 400 kW/544 hp from engine capacity of 6.0 litres and develops peak torque of 750 Newton-meters/553 lb-ft from just 1,500 rpm. A masterpiece in modern engine technology, the all-aluminum twelve-cylinder power unit stands out through its effortless surge of power, unique acoustic and vibration-damping qualities, and a level of efficiency never seen before in this performance class. Naturally, both the BMW 760i and the BMW 760Li comply in full with the EU 5 emission standard.
Both the BMW 760i and the BMW 760Li come with brand-new eight-speed transmission featured in these outstanding models for the first time. With its innovative gearset configuration, the new transmission offers additional gears while maintaining the dimensions and weight of a conventional six-speed automatic. This makes the eight-speed automatic transmission an ideal match for the power and performance characteristics of the new twelve-cylinder, bringing out the comfort and dynamic qualities of the V12 in particular style. And at the same time the new transmission enhances the all-round efficiency of the car to an even higher standard never seen before.
Auto publications around the world are starting to get some time behind the wheel of the latest revealed BMW model, the 760i and 760Li. The top of the line 7er is powered by an all new 6.0 liter V12 Twin-Turbo engine which produces 535 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. For the first time, the new ZF eight-speed automatic transmission is featured in a BMW model, beside the upcoming 550i GT.
As expected, the performance is quite impressive even when compared with far more sportier BMW model, 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
In the U.S., the long wheelbase 760Li comes with a hefty price: $136,000. While we haven’t had our turn yet to drive the car, we will let the fellows at Autocar UK to give us their first impression of BMW’s most expensive production road car.
What is it like?
So how do you distinguish a V12 7-Series from the lesser versions? Other than the badges there are a few tell-tale exterior signs, the most obvious being the quad exhausts, but also V12 labels next to indicator repeaters, and additional chrome detailing. And as with some previous versions, the kidney grille is also more prominent, this time by increasing the thickness of the chrome surround rather than actually enlarging the grille itself.
Inside, as you would expect the interior is packed with toys otherwise optional on other 7 Series models. Bespoke to the 760Li is a particularly plush looking leather and alcantara roof lining and wood trim featuring walnut inlays (other trims are available).
To drive it is, as you would expect given the outputs, very brisk indeed. BMW claims 4.6 second to 62mph, which seems completely believable. Top speed is as usual limited to 155mph, and as a measure of the performance when the limiter kicks in, even doing so gradually, the reduction in acceleration is marked. What the 760Li isn’t though, is a hot-rod in the vein of Mercedes’ similarly priced and S63AMG.
For the most part the BMW’s V12 remains almost completely silent, whether at idle or low to mid range revs, and unless you have an awful amount of space available, you will rarely get the engine spinning much beyond 4000rpm.
We just received notice that the new BMW 760Li is available to order at U.S. dealerships. We also learned more details about the top 7 Series model which will be powered by a new 6.0-liter V12 all-aluminum engine with Twin-Turbo Technology, High Precision Injection with fuel injected directly into the combustion chambers.
The engine produces 535 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. It runs from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.5 seconds. The BMW 760Li base price was set at $136,600.
Some of the standard equipment included are an 8-Speed automatic transmission, Heated sport steering wheel, Integral active steering, Lane departure warning, Active blind spot detection, Head-up display, Sirius XM radio and Premium sound.
Other standard features:
ARS, Auto, open/close tailgate
Soft close doors
Cameras
Sunshades
Front and rear ventilated seats
Active front seats
Rear comfort seats
Ski bag
Heated rear seats
Ceramic controls
High beam assist
6-disc DVD changer
iPod USB adapter
19″ wheels
