FLAGSHIP BMW 760i PRESENTED

BMW’s 760i and 760Li have been officially announced and man, these two are some serious machinery. Traditionally the 760i/Li was the flagship model in the whole range however this will soon change when the M7 is revealed. For now though let’s learn a little more about the 760i/Li.

What makes this car different from other 7 Series models is the new 6.0-litre petrol engine with twin turbos. It’s the first time BMW has force-fed the 760i which previously held 327kW and 600Nm of torque from the same naturally aspirated motor. By introducing those two turbos to the mix the car now makes a heady 400kW at 5250rpm and massive torque of 750Nm achieved between 1500rpm and 5000rpm. Claimed acceleration from 0 – 100km/h is said to be 4.6 seconds and top velocity is limited to 250km/h.

While 400kW doesn’t seem to be a lot given that the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG fraps out 456kW, the M7 will take care of this quite easily. BMW worked with gearbox specialist ZF to create a new 8-speed automatic transmission. It’s both sporty and smooth to give great response on the right pedal as well as fuel economy to match smaller cars. So advanced is the new gearbox that BMW says it will work with pretty much any type of engine with any sort of power and even 4WD (xDrive), which suggests that it will be seen in quite a number of future BMWs, including the upcoming 7 Series Hybrid.

The 760i averages 12.9 l/100km while the 760Li returns 13.0 l/100km from their 82 litre fuel tank. C02 emissions are understandably quite high at 299g/km and 303g/km respectively.

The car is not that different from models like the 750i. The power grille is wider and extends to the front. “V12” is adorned on the sides where the chrome-plated gills are integrated with side indicators. More chrome can be found at the rear wrapped in the rectangular-shaped tailpipes. Interestingly there are four of these which is normally a trait found in M cars. But then again those are usually round, not rectangular.

A set of light alloy wheels measuring 19 inches in diameter holds the 245/45 R19 front and 275/40 R19 rear tyres. The 760Li is 14cm longer than the 760i and has a wheelbase that is also 14cm longer.

BMW has not confirmed any prices for the two models but when they do eventually come to Mzansi they should be priced at about R1.3 million for the 760i and R1.6 million for the 760Li.