Photography by Jamie Lawlor and Daniel Sullivan
Whether you’re a rock star, foreign dignitary or simply like to be transported in style, there’s a good chance that at some point you will have sat in the rear of a black BMW 7 Series. However, today we’ve got our hands on a black 7 Series for a different reason, as we pay a visit to a newcomer to the automotive event scene in Ireland.
Runway Club is a pretty self-explanatory name and involves, as you might have guessed, a runway, the one at Weston Aerodrome to be precise. For a reasonable fee you can gain entry to this club’s somewhat unique event that lets you fully open the taps on whatever you drive, safe in the knowledge that there isn’t a member of the local constabulary with a speed gun waiting at the other end.
The line-up for this inaugural event is a tasty one, and features some of the latest supercars ranging from a Porsche 911 GT3 RS to McLaren 650S and Lamborghini Aventador. There’s some older stuff too, including a Ford Granada that has more than a hint of ringer to it. The fact that it was trailered in and seems to have a full pit crew galvanises my gut feeling that these guys are out to collect some scalps today. The good thing is so are we.
We’ve got our own kind of under-the-radar car today in which to hopefully upset some supercar owners. BMW has kindly provided us with a rather special saloon - an M760Li xDrive Exclusive. Where this version differs from the regular M car is its Exclusive specification. Gone is all of the M badging both inside and out. The exterior takes on a more discreet image that includes a front bumper that appears more standard issue. Behind the substantial 10-spoke alloy wheels, even the enormous brake calipers that grip the huge rotors are painted a simple gloss black. Only subtle V12 badging on the C-pillar and boot lid give you a hint as to the potency of this BMW.
That V12 is a huge 6.6-litres and is also twin-turbocharged, so it leaves barely any room in the substantial engine bay. Rated power output is 610hp and a rather useful 800Nm, enabling the BMW to crack the 0-100km/h barrier in a mere 3.7 seconds. Today should be fun.
The basic premise is simple really; two cars line up at the start of the runway and go against each other in a straight drag race over a timed one-kilometre run. There’s more than enough room beyond the finish line to slow down, but somehow given the size of the anchors fitted to our BMW; I don’t think we’ll have too many issues on that front.
Considering the amount of performance the M760Li has, it doesn’t shout about it. The car idles so quietly that with the crowds gathering around it you struggle to tell if the engine is running. It seems incredibly smooth, too. Part of me is wishing I had an old 50 pence piece to see if I could get it to balance upright on the engine.
In the interest of some semblance of fairness, all of the cars are divided into one of three groupings based on power output. We’ve been thrown in with all of the supercars and tuned machinery. Aside from a week-old Alpina D3, we stand out like a bit of a sore thumb amongst the sleek supercars.
As we roll up to the start line, there are many curious and puzzled faces in the crowds of spectators that line the first hundred metres of the runway. The air-conditioning is set to my preferred 19 degrees, I’ve chosen the mid-setting on the driver’s seat massage function and I’ve left the Bowers & Wilkins stereo off, for now. There’s no complicated launch control sequence to engage in the BMW, just a straightforward automatic transmission. Not even paddle shifters on the soft leather upholstered steering wheel of this Exclusive model - the standard M760Li does get them. Joining me up front is BMW Ireland’s MD, Paolo Alves. No pressure, then.
As the flag drops, I plant the throttle into the deep carpet. The car’s nose rises, and the rear squats down on its plush air suspension as it buries all of its 610hp into the runway. Its 6.6-litre engine increases a little in volume, but is still pleasantly muted. The same can’t be said for us as we maniacally cackle as the 7 Series surges away towards to finish line in a way that you could only describe as comically fast. A couple of seconds later the owner of the Alpina we were up against rolls up alongside us, jaw open and somewhat aghast at what he’d just witnessed. If truth be told, we are too.
As we roll around for our second run, we’ve garnered more interest from the assembled spectators. This time around it’s a Porsche 911 Turbo belonging to a friend who seems keen to show who’s boss. Once more the flag drops and the BMW romps away, leaving the Porsche as a decreasing silver dot in the door mirror. Cue more cackling and surprise from onlookers. It is fast becoming clear that this is one seriously impressive luxobarge.
It was a case of rinse and repeat for much of the afternoon, and the flexible layout of the day allows you to pick and choose who you fancy going up against. The 7 Series proved popular, but what was more interesting was the car owners that expressly didn’t want to race against it. At no point did it show any sign of strain during the repeated launches down the kilometre-long stretch. Even the fuel tank didn’t seem that affected by the numerous high-speed runs that frequently saw the car nudge its claimed 250km/h limiter. Not that we once felt it kick into action.
Given its colossal size and weight, the powerful BMW manages performance that in such a silhouette seems otherworldly. To combine that with sublime comfort makes this car feel even more special. Naturally, though, it comes at a cost that is close to the “if you have to ask you can’t afford it” territory. Knowing that I definitely can’t afford it, I can tell you that it starts at €250,000. For those in the privileged position of being able to mull over the purchase of such a car, deciding whether to stick with the regular, aggressive looking M760Li or this, could be a tricky decision.