Speciale Order: The Forgotten BMW V-12
June 1, 2008
Remember the BMW 760Li? If any company’s flagship V-12-powered sedan is off the radar, it’s this one. Even in Miami, where grocery store parking lots are filled with Bentleys, the 760Li qualifies as a rare sight. I hand the keys to a valet and, as he spies the subtle badge on the fender, turns to me with confusion writ across his face and asks, "V-12?" He’s seen so many 745s and 750s that he probably thinks I glued the badge to the fender myself.
Why is this car such a secret, accounting for only 5 percent of 7-series sales? It may be a combination of the V-8 7-series’ inherently high capabilities and BMW opting out of the horsepower war with the V-12. A 750Li starts at $78,900 and gives you 360 hp. A 760Li begins at $122,600 and provides 438 hp. The V-12 version reaches 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, versus 5.8 for the long-wheelbase V-8. If that seems like a lot of money for not much more ability, that’s because, for once, speed isn’t the point.
This car is all about coddling smoothness and utmost serenity. After all, this is the last stop on the BMW food chain before you get into something with a winged lady on the grille. With luxury as its priority, the 760Li feels less like a BMW than one of those stolid Mercedes-Benz S-Classes from two generations back. Around town, it’s absolutely silent. I’m not exaggerating when I say that, for all the sound and vibration produced by this power train, the 760 feels like it may actually be electric. Go ahead, roll down the windows—you’ll still struggle to hear the engine. If I hadn’t just stepped out of the Sport Speciale, it would be impossible to fathom that within this muted motor lurks a bellowing beast waiting to be unchained.
Mercedes-Benz goes for twin-turbo torque with its V-12-powered 600 models, while Audi plays the novelty card with its A8 W-12. In the elite 12-cylinder corner of the sedan market, BMW finds itself playing an odd role: traditionalist.
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