What's the news?
BMW has revealed its hand for the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and star of the stand in Switzerland will be the M760Li xDrive, the first M Performance Vehicle in the 7 Series line-up. It's as close as we're going to get to a full-on M7, though buyers certainly won't feel short-changed.
Exterior
As with other M Performance Vehicles, such as the BMW M235i, the new M760Li comes with a suite of relatively subtle exterior enhancements, lending a touch more aggressiveness to the slippery 7 Series shape. Larger air intakes up front are complemented by Cerium Grey detailing in the kidney grille. The same treatment is found liberally sprinkled around the exterior, extending to the 20-inch alloy wheels. At the back, the exhaust outlets look sportier to signify the presence of an M sports exhaust system.
Interior
The upgraded cabin mixes sporty touches with the usual 7 Series luxury. There's an M leather steering wheel with gearchange paddles and the multifunction buttons on it are finished in Pearl Gloss Chrome. Likewise, the M logo can be found on the M alloy pedals and footrest, while 'V12' is emblazoned on the door sill plates. Other V12 badges are scattered around the interior. The front seats are electrically adjustable of course, and upholstered in Nappa leather, which is also used in the door cards and armrests. The interior trim strips are 'Fineline' black wood with high-gloss metal edging. As with all examples of the 7 Series, the iDrive interface is extended to include touchscreen operation and there's even gesture control for certain commands. New to BMW, and indeed any car according to its maker, is inductive charging for mobile phones fitted with the technology.
Mechanicals
This is where things get really interesting. Under that long bonnet is a twin-turbocharged 6.6-litre V12 petrol engine. It produces 600hp at 5,500rpm and a monstrous 800Nm of torque from 1,500rpm. As the name suggests, power is sent to all four wheels via BMW's xDrive system and an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission is standard. BMW quotes a scarcely believable 3.9 seconds for the 0-100km/h time and though the M760Li is limited to 250km/h by default, buyers can tick the box marked 'M Driver's Package' to raise the limiter to 305km/h. Not that any buyer of this car will care, but the official efficiency figures are 294g/km and 12.6 litres/100km (22.4mpg).
It's not all about the powerplant though. The M760Li features BMW's Executive Drive Pro suspension system, featuring active roll stabilisation, which should give a great mix of comfort and dynamics. Aiding that further is Integral Active Steering, a rear-wheel steering system to make the car feel more agile or enhance stability, depending on the driving situation. Finally, the M760Li gets M Sport brakes, marked out by metallic blue brake callipers.
Anything else?
You may have been sitting there reading this, wondering if the captains of industry around the world that can afford such extravagances as the range-topping 7 Series really want to show it off. You're not alone. BMW will offer the M760Li xDrive V12 Excellence version at no extra cost, with more discreet styling inside and out, and even a quieter exhaust system.
Read our BMW 7 Series review here.