BMW's 7 Series Gets the M Treatment with the M760Li xDrive

We have said it before that BMW’s new 7 Series amazes us with its handling finesse and driver-oriented character. And it is no surprise that BMW knew they had something special on their hands. Suitably BMW upped the performance envelope of the 7 Series' new range topper to the nth degree with the introduction of the first 7 Series to officially wear an “M Performance” badge. 

To give its full name, the M760Li xDrive goes against BMW’s recent naming convention of assigning a numerical value larger than its engine displacement as the M760Li comes with a 6.6-litre turbocharged V12 engine, because if you are going to overdo things, might as well do it to the engine instead of the name.

Peak power now stands at 600hp at 5,500rpm with a massive 800Nm of torque summoned up from 1,500rpm. With power through its rear-biased all-wheel drive system via an eight-speed automatic transmission with M Performance-specific shift programs, the M760Li is able to sprint to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds and onto a top speed of 305km/h with the M Driver’s Package which elevates its standard 250km/h speed limiter. To give you an idea of how quick that is, you can hang onto the tail of a Porsche 911 Carrera S if you aren’t carrying anyone too heavy behind.

Being a product of M Performance Automobiles the M760Li comes with the M aerodynamic package with larger air intakes in the front apron, exclusive galvanised Cerium Grey finish for the kidney grille frame and bars, front apron strip, strips on the exterior door handles, Air Breathers, side door trim elements, and boot lid handle. The M760Li’s immense 20-inch Cerium Grey M light-alloy wheels are there to house the car’s massive 19-inch M Sport brakes which are finished in metallic blue and bears the M logos. To accentuate the fact that there is a huge V12 under the bonnet, V12 badging is fitted to the C-pillars with a new M sports exhaust system with flap control to deliver its soundtrack.

However if all that looks too brash and risks stirring the peasantry, BMW also offers the M760Li in the V12 Excellence trim for no extra cost. Instead of the big and proud M aerodynamic package look, the M760Li would look no different from the standard 7 Series equipped with the Excellence trim. Though that being said with the package the M760Li would still sport 20-inch BMW Individual light-alloy rims because you still need to house those massive disc brakes, which now sport understated black callipers. However with the V12 Excellence trim, the V12 badging is moved to the rear boot lid and comes with a “comfort-based” exhaust system.

To aid its handling, the M760Li comes equipped with the Executive Drive Pro suspension system with the active roll stabilisation feature, whereas the Active Steering rear-wheel steering still lends the M760Li some proper cornering agility and stability. Since this sits atop the 7 Series range, the M760Li comes with all the driver assistance systems with the Steering and lane control assistant, Lane Keeping assistant with active side collision protection, Rear collision prevention and Crossing traffic warning functions, Traffic jam assistant with semi-autonomous driving, and Active Cruise control with Stop&Go function.

Though it isn’t the full-fat dedicated M model, the M760Li xDrive is probably the closest one would get to an M7, but not like the affluent of the world would care of such specifics since this V12 luxobarge is able to keep up with a 600hp M5 “30 Jahre M5”, the M Division’s most powerful series-production model in its history.