Is this the understated match in the rarefied field of 12-cylinder luxury cars?

In the big luxury car creations, BMW is well trained.  Its 7 Series flagship range has, for years, been representative of what BMW can do in terms of sophistication and the latest automotive technology.

As a maker of mostly 4 and 6-cylinder cars in the late 80s, BMW made big fanfare of bringing back the German V12 in their flagship 750i and long wheelbase 750iL models.  Why the V12?  It is a smooth and quiet engine layout, which is just so fitting for a large luxury car, where a 6 or 8-cylinder is just not enough.  Also, the bragging rights of owning a luxury car with V12 engine are huge.  The subtle but meaningful V12 chrome lettering on the front side fenders take care of that.

The 7 Series BMW is a large car – in long wheelbase L body it measures all of 5.22 metres.  It looks expensive.  It has a presence that some other cars could never pull off – not in-your-face ostentatious, but distinctly elegant… but without the heavy rear-end of some big luxury cars, keeping the hint of BMW sportiness.

A wheelbase of a lengthy 3.21 metres helps a lot in 2 areas:  smooth ride quality and stretch-out space in the back.  Comfortable XXL size for the rear occupants are ensured, so you can de-stress your well-heeled heels on the sumptuous soft carpeting, while being pampered on the suppleness of the top-quality leather seat.

Those extra-long rear doors create a sense of status.  These also make for one of the easiest cars in terms of stylish entry and exit in&out of this long luxury BMW V12 – one merely bends slightly then almost “walks” into the backseat.

This is the ultimate luxury BMW.  Only the finest materials are selected for this – the best of BMW.  It is experienced in all the senses.  Getting on board means an immediate feeling of an opulent ambience… a hushed sense of money.  Every well-conceived part is first a visual then a tactile delight.  The carpeting (even in the boot) seems extra thick and plush.  Bored of black or silver controls?   The 760Li has glossy dark-grey ceramic surrounds for the controls – again, pleasing to eyes and hands.
 
A sleeping machine, waiting to be given life, rests with blacked-out instrument cluster – only the instrument dial rings and parked needles wait in white… the rest – waiting back in black.  Switch on the ignition or engine and the instrument cluster quietly lights up, now displaying the numbers and its digital topic-related information display.

Leather abounds – top-grade soft-touch leather is trimmed onto not only the generous Exclusive Nappa leather seats (a R 23 400 option on lesser 7 Series) but even on the dashboard and centre console, while the headlining is in Alcantara suede-cloth.

Isolation – to remove oneself from the hustle&bustle of the busy world out there, the fortunate fortune-made rear-seat owner can enjoy quietness and smoothness in an upmarket interior ambience, with a sense of serenity, especially when reclining the rear seats (electrically, of course).  Rear windows are tinted dark, but for extra privacy, simply press a switch to power-close the side window blinds.

In the rear chamber a semi-business class feel reigns.  The rear occupants also have control of the front passenger seat – if you need more rear legroom, then simply adjust the front seat via the switch in the rear.

Pampering is from head to toe – literally – vanity mirrors swing down from the rear headlining so you can see your face, just as you would in a “normal” car fitted with front visor mirrors.  Given the amount of luxury electric adjustments in this big 7, one lady rear-seat passenger expected these vanity mirrors to also fold back into the their recesses by looking for the switch… no, these are tucked in by hand.  Movable footrests allow for the most comfort – kick off your shoes and let your weary feet rest on these carpeted pedastals… move them where you feel most comfortable. 

Its standard-fitted rear-seat entertainment system lets backseat occupants enjoy music, TV or DVD on 2 built-in rear monitors.  In the centre armrest they will find a telephone with cordless handset, and their own rear iDrive controller (in addition to the front controller).

All front and rear seats take care of body temperate needs by controls for heating and ventilation.  A built-in massaging function will improve muscle stimulation and blood flow, thereby reducing fatigue, while enhancing comfort.  One criticism is that the massage intensity and area are not as adjustable as in the 3-pointed star big German luxury car.  The 7 Series received its new squared-off headlights and subtle upgrades in 2012, and as the new S-Class arrived here In 2013, the next 7 Series can’t be too far off, which will definitely aim to beat the competition by offering the latest and best.

You won’t be left wanting for features – the 760Li has several items as standard, adding up to well over R 100 000 of standard-fit items which are optional extras on other 7 Series models… as befits its BMW flagship status, high-tech items include (there are just too many to mention here) Dynamic Drive (body roll stabilisation), Driving Assist (camera-based driver assistance system consisting of Lane Departure Warning and Approach Control Warning), Lane Change Warning, climate comfort laminated glass, climate comfort windscreen, BMW Night Vision with dynamic light spot and object recognition, and the rear DVD entertainment system.  Optional extras on 760Li include Adaptive LED headlights at R 18 500, a 13-litre rear-seat cool box for R 15 600, Driving Assist Plus including active radar-based cruise control costing R 20 900, or Bang & Olufsen high-end sound system at R 38 600.

This V12 engine is whisper-quiet, with a very muted creamy-smooth hush emanating from deep underneath the massive bonnet, and a mysterious soft hoarse huff from the quad exhausts (a distinguishing 760Li feature is the angled-square shaped 4 exhaust outlets).  Ever been in a private jet on a runway gathering speed for lift-off?  The BMW 760Li gives a seriously good impression thereof.

This is an understated semi-limousine with a supercar engine – the biggest problem for the 6.0 V12 turbo is getting the car’s substantial rear tyres to get hold of the road, so traction control is a crucial tool best left activated – dare to switch it off, and, standing still, provoked by a quick right foot, the V12 will instantly break the grip of rear tyres and, while surging forward, power and torque get the big 7 to wheelspin in 1st, 2nd, 3rd gear… with the yellow traction control tell-tale lamp flickering frantically.

In the business world, competition keeps one striving to be the best, and this definitely applies in the large luxury-car segment.  The BMW 7 Series has competitors, but as this is a review of the 760Li and the status of a V12 engine, we should look only at 12-cylinder competitors.  That means the Jaguar XJ L falls away first – strangely, Jaguar has a proud V12 history, but the current XJ simply lives without the Jaguar V12 pleasantries, as it offers a Supercharged V8 as its top engine.  Maserati also has a big saloon named Quattroporte, but is also available in V8 turbo.  That leaves the Audi A8 L 6.3 W12, and Mercedes-Benz S600 L – both are 12 cylinders (the Audi using the W configuration) and both have L denoting the long wheelbase.  The biggest of Audis uses a naturally aspirated 6.3-litre good for 368kW and 625Nm, which seems ample even for such a big heavy car, but the turbocharging of the other 2 Germans sees it take last spot in comparison – the 760Li and S600 L are both V12 6.0 plus turbocharging, with claimed outputs of 400kW and 750Nm from just 1500 r/min for the BMW, and 390kW with 830Nm from 1900 r/min for the Mercedes.

Prices?  If you’re ready to spend 2 bar (R 2 million) or more on your luxury car, read on. New list prices including emissions tax and VAT:

The V8s:

Jaguar XJR:	R2.04m
Jaguar XJ L 5.0 Supercharged Supersport:	R 2.19m
Maserati Quattroporte GTS (3.8 V8 turbo):	R 2.24m

The W12 and V12s:

Audi A8 L 6.3 W12 quattro:	R 2.05m
BMW 760Li:	R 2.06m
Mercedes-Benz S600 L:	R 2.27m
Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG L:	R 2.97m

The Porsche Panamera was left out deliberately, as it doesn’t offer the desirable status-conscious classic squared-off 4-door sedan layout of the others. 

Peculiarly, BMW, with sportiest image among the large luxury car brands, is the only one who has not found reason to build a dedicated sports version of the 7 Series – rivals Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Audi are all well known for their S65 AMG, XJR and S8 full-on sporty big cars… but no BMW M7.  You could opt for the M Sport package on the 760Li, though, which brings cosmetic sport bumpers and detailed M badges.

Choose the Individual package, and the “standard” car’s already super-luxurious leather is upgraded to special Individual leather in a variety of leather colour choices and wood trims, and the exterior can be had in highly-lustrous BMW Individual xirallic paint.  Or stand out with the quicksilver-look BMW Individual Pure Metal Silver at R 98 100.

Is this the understated match in the rarefied field of 12-cylinder luxury cars?  If you like the current 7 Series with its particularly understated yet powerful design, then the plentiful 760Li with its strong silent V12 and sheer riding opulence is your coach of choice.


These big cars also make pre-owned bargains – have a look at some available on Auto Trader website https://www.autotrader.co.za when you search for used BMW 760Li at BMW 760Li