Tuesday 14th April 2009

New 7-Series Gets Twin-Turbo V12

BMW adds double blowers to flagship models for the first time

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BMW has unveiled a new version of the 7-series powered by a twin-turbo V12 engine.

The new 760i and 760Li will use a 5972cc V12 engine producing 537bhp and 553lb ft of torque. The all new V12 is also the first ever use of a twin-turbo charged V12 unit in the flagship 7-series.

This has resulted in a substantial power increase over the outgoing model, with over 100bhp added to the new 760i and an increase in torque of 25 percent.

Its top speed will be limited to 155mph, but all that extra muscle helps return a 0-62mph time of 4.6seconds.

Despite the performance increases, BMW has improved the efficiency of the new 7-series, decreasing fuel consumption by 4.5 per cent. That means the new 760i will return 21.9mpg, in part thanks to a newly developed 8-speed automatic transmission.

As befitts for the top 7-series model, the 760 gets V12 badges to help differentiate it from the lesser 750i, as well as a modestly re-styled front grille, and its own 19-inch alloys. On the inside, the 760i gets a leather trimmed instrument panel, alcantara roof lining and exclusive burr walnut wood trim.

[c0ldpl4ya]

with a twin turbo v12 im sure some tuner could make this go crazy fast? id expect a better 0-60 even in a 7 series from a v12 TT surely?

[Stu R]

I remain undecided on the looks, but I still want one

[Carfolio]

c0ldpl4ya said:

with a twin turbo v12 im sure some tuner could make this go crazy fast? id expect a better 0-60 even in a 7 series from a v12 TT surely?

It's heavy, and has a slushbox.

[Belfast Boy]

Looks dredful but still would like to drive it!

[LewisR]

Again with a BMW, the guy designing the bootlid wasn't talking to the guy designing the rear wings; they don't match for toffee.

[booner]

Yet, the new shape Z4M is infeasible due to financial and environmental reasons........yet this, the X5m and X6m are all feasible. Are they smoking from a crackpipe?

[Neomagic]

I hope they put an LSD in it, thats a lot of ponies to put through an open diff.

[NATM5]

YUK, YUK, YUK...........why do BMW persist in this horrendous styling. Its just dire. The 6 series looks like a parrot fish with an afterthought picnic hamper bootlid . BMW hasnt had a good looking seven since it did away with the E38 ( brilliant car ). Same for the 5 series, the current one looks like dame edna everidge..........the last good looking one was the E39 (The M5 still the benchmark here ). This abortion with its Z4 nosecone and lexus like rear end is no better. Whats with those headlights too.? Seems manufacturers are all copying eachother. Audi are no different. Everyone seems to be going for as big a grill as possible, to make them as ugly as possible. Listen up BMW............SACK THE DESIGNER
Its no wonder sales are down 30 %. I have not seen a BMW ive hankered after since 2003.

Regards

N.

[busta]

I wonder how many people who buy these would actually exploit any of the extra power and performance it has over a 750, or even a 730? It still does the same 155mph auf der autobahn, mit zie Audi A3s und alas.

Still, i'm happier in the knowledge that this car exists, and that maybe one day it's engine will find a home where the performance can be truly exploited. E30 360i perhaps....

[edb49]

That's not even 90bhp/litre from a twin turbo petrol engine!

123d can manage better...

[derestrictor]

NATM5 said:

YUK, YUK, YUK...........why do BMW persist in this horrendous styling. Its just dire. The 6 series looks like a parrot fish with an afterthought picnic hamper bootlid . BMW hasnt had a good looking seven since it did away with the E38 ( brilliant car ). Same for the 5 series, the current one looks like dame edna everidge..........the last good looking one was the E39 (The M5 still the benchmark here ). This abortion with its Z4 nosecone and lexus like rear end is no better. Whats with those headlights too.? Seems manufacturers are all copying eachother. Audi are no different. Everyone seems to be going for as big a grill as possible, to make them as ugly as possible. Listen up BMW............SACK THE DESIGNER
Its no wonder sales are down 30 %. I have not seen a BMW ive hankered after since 2003.

Regards

N.

Go on then, what do you drive?

[SleeperCell]

c0ldpl4ya said:

with a twin turbo v12 im sure some tuner could make this go crazy fast? id expect a better 0-60 even in a 7 series from a v12 TT surely?

I dont know what planet you live on normally, but here on earth there's a bit of a limit to how fast you can get a big fat limo to accelerate from a standard still when pushing out so much power via the rear wheels with ordinary road tyres and an automatic with traction control.

The Brabus 700bhp+ upgrade for the AMG S65 will still 'only' do 0-60mph in 4.0 seconds and you can bet it's a battle between the traction control and wheelspin the whole way to 60mph and probably even past that, even the normal S65 has enough trouble putting the power down.

These cars dont even begin to properly accelerate/stop wheel spinning until they are well past 60mph anyway.

[eowen]

It would look so much better with smaller nostrils.

[tstain]

love to see them use that engine in an M1 style 2 seater

[Zod]

Carfolio said:

c0ldpl4ya said:

with a twin turbo v12 im sure some tuner could make this go crazy fast? id expect a better 0-60 even in a 7 series from a v12 TT surely?

It's heavy, and has a slushbox.

the Panamera Turbo is heavy and less powerful, but supposedly does 0-60 in 4 seconds dead.

[v6_cougar_london]

derestrictor said:

NATM5 said:

YUK, YUK, YUK...........why do BMW persist in this horrendous styling. Its just dire. The 6 series looks like a parrot fish with an afterthought picnic hamper bootlid . BMW hasnt had a good looking seven since it did away with the E38 ( brilliant car ). Same for the 5 series, the current one looks like dame edna everidge..........the last good looking one was the E39 (The M5 still the benchmark here ). This abortion with its Z4 nosecone and lexus like rear end is no better. Whats with those headlights too.? Seems manufacturers are all copying eachother. Audi are no different. Everyone seems to be going for as big a grill as possible, to make them as ugly as possible. Listen up BMW............SACK THE DESIGNER
Its no wonder sales are down 30 %. I have not seen a BMW ive hankered after since 2003.

Regards

N.

Go on then, what do you drive?

I agree with most of what NATM5 said, all except the 6 series which I actually think is a fairly good looking car. Not as good looking as the old one though, or the old 8 series which I suppose it is a sort of 'delayed' replacement for...

Aside from that what does it matter what anyone drives to express an opinion on what new BMWs look like? No doubt this 7 seven series is an impressive car, and this new exgine sounds brilliant, but it is hideous to look at, along with most of the rest of the range...

[derestrictor]

It's no oil painting, for sure but hugely slatted snouts do not preclude a certain menace - imo the D3 S8 looks magnificent - aided, admittedly, by the most finely honed saloon exterior in existence {yes, including the bellissimo QP.}

These F01s aren't photogenic but having studied a few in the metal, have concluded they aren't that fugly.

I remember nearly vomitting over the E60 when first images emerged and then recall seeing one in France before UK sales commenced and suddenly found the James May verdict quite telling, in that it is/was a bit of a grower.

Alpina derivations of the same car in a dark paint job are simply stunning.

[angus54]

I wouldn't worry they don't / won't sell many of these anyway...

[derestrictor]

v6_cougar_london said:

...but it is hideous to look at, along with most of the rest of the range...

No, it really isn't hideous: not classically elegant, sure but not hideous.

The question was to ascertain the credentials of the critic by way of a frame of reference into their own preferences of which ownership is a logical and reasonable route to such conclusion.

http://www.alpina-automobiles.com/fileadmin/user_u...

There will be a hardcore of teenage boys who may mindlessly discredit the above, for example: they are ignorant fools because in physical experience, few cars could deliver satisfaction on so many levels.

Change the propellor to a trident, however and witness critiques and descriptions morph miraculously into proclamations of character, pedigree and style.

[v6_cougar_london]

It might grow on me I don't know. The 5 series does look better now then it did at first, but still ugly IMO. The previous 7 series was nicer then this but still not as handsome as the E38. In general I do believe the range is getting steadily worse to look at. But then again I think the same thing with most of the manufacturers these days. Its just an opinion, and I don't think it matters what anyone drives to judge how any car looks...