Our Marty Bernstein and BMW's V12 Drive Into Their Sunset
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Marty was our V12, a larger than life member of the auto journalist corps, a participant that reflected the best and brightest of car writers. As fellow Auto Channel journalist Steve Purdy said, "He was a man of the world, a talented writer, and a central figure in the media and automotive communities forever. He was also the most dapper guy I knew. RIP Marty.".
His family will miss him, His community will miss him, I will miss Him, his fans will miss him...his passing made our world a less bright place for all of us.
Thoughts of Marty from From Our Friend Paul A. Eisenstein, Publisher Of theDetroitBureau.com. Marty Bernstein, The Auto Channel's Senior Editor-at-large passed away this week at age 89. Marty was a sharp dresser, with a sharp wit and an incisive ability to cut through all the nonsense normally heaped upon a journalist.
It might be easy to fall into cliché and call Marty Bernstein the “dean of auto writers.” After all, he was more than twice — indeed, triple — the age of many who take part in the traveling circus of auto shows, new car previews, driving reviews and peer to peer interviews with executives who make the worldwide auto industry go...they all talked with Marty. But he was far more than that. He could be a mentor, if that was what the moment called for. A source of insight. A fount of great stories. And, until surprisingly late in life, a serious challenger on the tennis court.
The last 12 months were increasingly rough. Yet, he never lost his keen eye and, even on the worst of days, he’d roll out a joke in his rumbling voice. Marty Bernstein passed this week with the same level of dignity that defined the rest of his long life.
Marty Bernstein was laid to rest on Jan. 21, 2022. He leaves behind his wife, Marti; son Michael; and daughter-in-law Jennifer Bernstein. The family suggests donations be made to the Kidney Foundation, to Mazon, a Jewish Response To Ending Hunger, to the Chabad Center of Troy, or to a charity of your choosing. They plan a celebration of his life sometime during the spring.
"May Marty's memory be for a blessing”, Rest In Peace my friend and thank you for always being there for all of us...you will be missed.
BMW introduced their first roadgoing V12 in 1987. The naturally-aspirated, five-liter M70 V12 engine featured single overhead camshafts, two valves per cylinder, and an innovative drive-by-wire electronic throttle. The effortless thrust produced by the 295 hp V12 was key to the original BMW 750iL becoming the standard by which all other luxury sedans of the time were measured.
Today, the V12 engine in The Final V12 displaces 6.6 liters and features BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology. Two mono-scroll turbochargers combine with infinitely variable valve control (Double VANOS and Valvetronic) and high-precision direct injection to produce 601 bhp between 5,500-6,500 rpm. This engine together with an 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission moves The Final V12 from 0-60 mph in a shattering 3.6 seconds.
Externally, The Final V12 will be discernable from other 7 Series models by a simple, bold “V12” icon at the rear. Special 20-inch Style 760M double-spoke light alloy wheels are uniquely painted the customer’s choice of either Window Grey or Jet Black, then burnished to reveal a dark silver surface highlight. The wheels surround formidable M Sport brakes with a choice of blue or black calipers.
Moving inside, threshold plates at each door sill are inscribed with “THE FINAL V12” as is a plate on the cover atop the almighty 12-cylinder engine. BMW Individual Piano Black Finish trim surrounds the interior and features a console-mounted plaque commemorating the vehicle as “1 OF 12”.
The Final V12 will be offered only in a fully-equipped configuration, including BMW’s Driving Assistance Professional Package, Luxury Rear Seating Package, Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof, Icon Adaptive LED Headlights with Laserlight, and Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound Audio System. To make their vehicle a uniquely personal statement, customers may select from over eighty exterior colors and several tones of opulent Full Merino leather from BMW Individual.
Soon after the customer has taken delivery, they will receive a custom-built desk trophy to commemorate their specific vehicle, recognizing the special order paint, leather, and vehicle identification number as one of The Final V12 vehicles.
With The Final V12, BMW has a unique opportunity to recognize and appreciate a group of enthusiasts who over the years have shown their enduring passion for the ultimate luxury sports sedan. In the coming days, clients with a long history of V12 7 Series ownership will be approached through their preferred BMW centers with an invitation to purchase the vehicle. Production will commence in June 2022, with deliveries expected in July.
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Equipment and Specifications
The Final V12 includes the following exclusive content:
- 20-inch M Double-Spoke wheels, Style 760M in Window Grey or Jet Black with burnished accent on performance run-flat tires
- Center console-mounted plaque “THE FINAL V12” and “1 OF 12”
- Threshold plates “THE FINAL V12”
- Engine cover plaque “THE FINAL V12”
- “V12” badge replacing “M760i” badge on decklid
- Commemorative gift customized specifically for the customer’s vehicle
The Final V12 also includes the following notable equipment:
- Choice of any available BMW Individual paint color
- Choice of any available BMW Individual Full Merino leather tone
- BMW Individual Piano Black Finish interior trim
- M Sport brakes with black or blue calipers
- Driving Assistance Professional Package
- Luxury Rear Seating Package
- Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof
- Remote Control Parking
- Extended Shadowline Trim
- Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System
- Icon Adaptive LED Lights with Laserlight
BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley, and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and manufactures the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 351 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 144 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
