2010 BMW 7 Series Gets a Juiced-up With V-12 Engine

MORE: BMW Specs, Prices and Comparisons-BMW Buyers Guide

By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor
Amsterdam Bureau
The Auto Channel

The new BMW 7 Series, that was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show (see complete video) gets a V-12 engine. The Bavarians are moving up the standard of exclusivity with two new top models, the BMW 760i and the 760Li.

Both the standard and long model (of which the wheel base is extended by 5.5 inch) get the completely new developed 6.0-liter V-12 engine that offers 400 kW/544 hp at 5,000 rpm and has 750 Nm or 553 lb-ft of torque from just 1,500 rpm. The new all-aluminium motor has TwinPower turbo technology, high precision injection and double-VANOS camshaft adjustment. It will be teamed to an eight-speed automatic transmission that is completely new for the BMW model range.

Acceleration to 60 mph of the luxury performance limousine take just 4.4 seconds. The performance has improved, but fuel consumption is down by approximately 4.5 per cent compared to the former model.

The V-12 models come standard with Dynamic Damping Control including Dynamic Driving Control that can be operated by a button on the centre console. Also standard is speed-related Servotronic steering assistance, and BMW’s Dynamic Drive anti-roll stability system. The long version gets air suspension including self-levelling on the rear axle.

Integral Active Steering is an option. It offers speed-related adjustment of the steering angle on the rear wheels. This adds to the touring comfort for the rear passengers, especially during lane changes at higher speeds.

Available as an option are BMW’s driver assistance systems. They include Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Active Cruise Control with Stop-&-Go function, BMW Night Vision with detection of individual persons, the BMW Head-Up Display, a back-up camera and the Side View system.

Supplementing the standard bi-xenon headlights BMW offers the High-Beam Assistant and Adaptive Headlights including Bending Lights, variable light distribution and adaptive headlight range control as options.

The V-12 models can be recognised by an extra wide chrome frame around the typical kidney grille. At the rear there is a chrome bar between the rectangular dual exhaust tailpipes that are integrated in the rear air dam. The 19-inch wheels are unique for the 760i and Li models very special models.

We may expect the new V-12 models to hit the markets world wide after the summer.

MORE: BMW Specs, Prices and Comparisons-BMW Buyers Guide