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