AN EXTRA MEASURE OF LUXURY - AND 400KW

+ Click to Enlarge LUXURY LINER: BMW's long-wheelbase flagship sedan has 400kW on tap from a new six-litre, V12.

January 29, 2010

BMW has added a new flagship to its South African model line-up with the introduction this week of the 760Li, featuring an all-new, six-litre V12 and eight-speed automatic transmission – and 14cm of extra wheelbase between the B and C pillars to afford the plutocrats (and parliamentarians) who can afford it an extra measure of luxury.

The all-aluminium, 5972cc engine has dual turbochargers, one on the outside of each bank of cylinders rather than in the V due to the narrow included angle of 60 degrees.

Direct fuel-injection (along with the turbos, a first for a BMW V12) and double-Vanos variable cam timing help it produce a claimed 400kW at only 5250rpm and 750Nm from 1500-5000rpm – that's 25 percent more than the previous V12 and at 2300rpm lower.

Large-diameter exhaust headers increase the turbos' efficiency and flaps around the silencers keep the exhaust note discreet at low revs but open to release what the Blue Propeller Guys call "appropriate acoustic feedback" under hard acceleration and at full throttle. When you're ready to howl, so is this car...

And it'll howl up to 100km/h from a standing start in 4.6sec, says BMW, while averaging 12.9 litres/100km, about 4.5 percent better than its previous six-litre V12.

All this muscle is transferred to tarmac by an eight-speed automatic transmission (again, a first for BMW) with only four simple planetary gearsets and five shift elements.

It's no heavier and only a little bigger than the six-speed transmission it replaces and, thanks to reduced converter slip and lower friction losses (only two clutches are open at any given time) it reduces fuel consumption by a claimed six percent compared to the six-speeder.

But wait, as they say, there's more; with eight ratios instead of six the gaps between gears are smaller and gearshifts smoother. At low revs around town, says the maker, the change in engine note is barely perceptible.

The engine control unit also monitors throttle position, revs and speed to determine the urgency of the driver's input and will shift two or more gears (up or down) instead of one where necessary – or even straight from top to second if you really put foot.

At which point you'd better have plenty of open road in front of you.

The roofline and C pillars have been tweaked so that the 760Li has a similar profile to the standard-wheelbase model and the grille has an extra-wide, slightly concave chromed frame.

There are V12 logos on the side gills, exclusive 19" alloys (20" optional) and two rectangular, chromed tailpipes, slightly slash-cut, at either side of the rear air dam.

LUXURY FEATURES

The stainless-steel door entry trims have illuminated V12 covers, the instrument panel is finished in leather with decorative stitching and burr walnut inlays, and the roof lining and sun visors are alcantara.

The 760Li has all the luxury features of the rest of the 7 Series, released in South Africa in March 2009, including dynamic damping control with operated at the touch of a button on the centre console, speed-related steering assistance, and dynamic drive anti-roll stability control.

Self-leveling air suspension is standard, as is rear-wheel steering, to make high-speed lane changes more comfortable for rear-seat VIP's.

They're also pampered by four-zone automatic aircon, cruise control with automatic braking, parking sensors and automatic soft closing on all doors.

PRICES

760Li - R1 632 000
760Li M-Sport - R1 646 500
760Li Individual - R1 717 500