BMW M760Li xDrive 2017 review | first drive video

Andrew Chesterton road tests and reviews the BMW M760Li xDrive with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its international launch in the United States.

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Luxury limousines are often best enjoyed from the comfort of the rear seat, but not this one. This is the BMW M760LI XDrive. And it's unlike any BMW that's one before it. It's twin-turbocharged V12 makes it the fastest car BMW has ever made. it's also the most powerful, and the most expensive. It joins a 7 Series range that was launched back in 2015, so it's a little late to the party. But it looks like BMW might have saved the best til last.

Now to be clear, this definitely isn't an M7. BMW reckon there's simply not a market for a full-bore performance car in this price bracket. Instead it blends its ludicrous amount of power with the kind of luxury packaging and supple ride its customers expect.

Under that bonnet is a twin-turbo V12 that will send this 7 Series hurting to 100k /h in 3.7 seconds. 3.7 seconds. In car that weighs a little over 2,2-tonnes.That's outrageous.

And that's only possible because this car comes equipped with BMW's X-Drive all-wheel-drive system. In fact, it's the first passenger BMW in Australia to come with it. And that helps get all that power down to all four wheels and into the tarmac, which means you can actually use all that torque.

And now for the party trick: launch control. So, you hit Sport. You turn the traction to Dynamic mode and you flick the gearstick over to sport. Then you left foot brake, dump the accelerator, and then let go of the brake. Not that's 100km/h in 3.7 seconds.

Ok, so with a monstrous V12 engine, it was always going to be fast in a straight line. But the biggest challenge for a car this size it how it performs on the tighter, twister stuff. And we're happy to report that the M760Li XDrive is no slouch when it comes to corners. Despite the combination of immense power and immense bulk, it always feels predictable, with a lean toward understeer at its limit. The gearbox, which has been heavily adapted for this car, is crisp and sharp in its changes, whether you're hard-charging down as you approach a bend or you're cruising at city speeds. It feels light and nimble on twisting country roads and while the steering feels a little dull at freeway speeds, it feels sharp and direct when biting into corners at pace. And it's especially fun in manual mode, where huge chunks of torque appear every time you stab the accelerator.

And it's got plenty of speed. But what BMW's engineers have also done, if they've managed to hide some of this 2.,2-tonne bulk and five meters length.

But actually driving this car is only part of the story, with BMW well aware that, for many of this car's owners, the only person who actually experiences the engine will be wearing a little chauffeur's hat. But life is good in the rear seat: In four-seat configuration, the two rear seats are separated by a built-in control centre that houses the seat controls and two cup holders hidden behind a slide cover, as well as a pull-out table on which to rest your glass of champagne. And you can keep the bottle cold courtesy of the chilled compartment hidden between the two seats.

Even though BMW thinks this a car that should be driven, it hasn't forgotten its owners that want to ride in the backseat. In fact, there's two different editions of this car. One is the M-flavoured version we're driving today, and the other is called the Excellence edition, which strips away some that loud and sporty stuff for a quieter and more cosseting drive.

There's too much technology to go through detail here, but even the highlight list is pretty exhaustive. This sunroof is known as a sky lounge, and there's 15,000 illuminating elements on it,the interior is covered in Merino leather and everywhere you look is a new and exquisitely handcrafted touchpoint.

Big and brutal, BMW's new flagship model is a thing of joy no matter where you sit. It might be pretty hefty price jump over the model below it, but something tells me it's potential buyers won't be too concerned with something as frivolous as money.

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[trueaim]

that price is not accurate. go to the BMW website. its 200k fully equipped.

[richiechou]

4:17 Actually CarsGuide, the M760Li is designed more as a driver's version of the 7 series. Its NOT designed to be purchased by someone to be chauffered around, thats a normal 7 series job. This is a driver-focused car for someone who may at times to take family, friends in the back seat but will be spending most of time as the driver, enjoying that V12 fun.

[kichansilva]

Isn't that the BMW track in Thermal, CA? Pretty cool.

[vcliburn]

I would really like to see an impartial, unbiased, arm's-length comparison between the M760Li xDrive and the Audi S8-Plus.  While the BMW achieves its 601 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque (at 1500 rpm) with a 6.6L Twin-turbo V12 engine, the S8-Plus gets its 605 hp and 517 lb-ft of torque (at 1750 rpm) more efficiently with a 4.0L Twin-turbo V-8 engine.  In light of the overall package and bang-for-your-buck value,  I think the Audi wins hands down:  $135K fully equipped for the Audi and $200K fully equipped for the BMW. 

Any comments on this?  In a head-to-head comparison, a savings of $65K is a LOT!!!

[mrbee]

Be careful when buying anything BMW. Had purchased one of these new 7.50xi M-sport. Spent over $100k for this
car. Has been at the dealerships service department almost more time
than it’s been with me! One problem after another. From electronics
that don’t work properly. To engine and break malfunctions.
The only thing good I can say about it is the service department at the
dealership I bought it from really tries to address the problems. But
the car itself in my opinion is horrible!!
I would never buy this car again!!!
Stay tuned as will be coming out with videos and blogs detailing my
experiences with this car.

[dimmukad]

Sounds like Turbo 6 cylinder... just like 335 435

[TheKing-jyjr]

419, 000$ ? I want to smoke what he got

[NZsarge]

$419k!! Yeah... Nah. I'm aware it's got the latest trick sh*t and it's nicely made and all that good stuff but the 4 extra cylinders isn't worth $100k. I love a well screwed together car but it's taking the piss over a 750i.

[pulixpulix]

0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds is not that impressive for a v12. OK, it's a heavy car, but again, there are cars with better specs.