The new BMW 7-Series already sets the
benchmark in luxury performance motoring - and now BMW is moving up the
standard of maximum exclusivity and supremacy in this supreme class to
an even higher level, following a completely new definition: The new BMW
760i and the new BMW 760Li are taking over the top position within
BMW's model portfolio, representing the highest level of motoring
refinement in their segment.
The heart and foundation of this exceptional new standard comes from the
twelve-cylinder power unit featured in both top models in the BMW
7-Series. Developed as a completely new engine from the ground up, the
V12 is a masterpiece of modern engine technology. Superior power of 400
kW/544 hp comes at an engine speed of 5,250 rpm, with maximum torque of
750 Newton-metres (553 lb-ft) from just 1,500 rpm.
Combined with the likewise brand-new eight-speed automatic transmission,
this twelve-cylinder offers not only unparalleled motoring refinement,
but also supreme driving dynamics through its ability to convert
seemingly unlimited power reserves spontaneously and with precise
control at all times into supreme driving dynamics.
The drivetrain with all its technical features is a masterpiece of
supremacy in every respect. This applies both to the 6.0-litre
all-aluminium power unit with TwinPower Turbo Technology, High Precision
Injection with fuel injected directly into the combustion chambers, and
to BMW's infinite double-VANOS camshaft adjustment as well as the
eight-speed automatic transmission featured for the first time in a BMW.
Benefiting from all these technologies, the new BMW 760i and the BMW
760Li offer a new standard of motoring refinement, dynamic performance
and all-round efficiency in a vehicle with this kind of power and
output. Acceleration to 100 km/h comes in just 4.6) seconds, average
fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 12.9) litres/100 kilometres on
the new BMW 760i.
In determining the cars' fuel consumption, BMW's engineers have already
taken the stricter EU5 emission standard into account, meaning that with
the cars' performance improving significantly fuel consumption is down
by approximately 4.5 per cent versus the former model.
The new BMW 7-Series: the perfect saloon for supreme motoring refinement.
Boasting superior suspension technology, innovative driver assistance
systems and luxurious comfort, as well as a combination of elegance and
sporting performance borne out clearly by the car's design, the BMW
7-Series offers all the qualities required to enjoy a truly incomparable
driving experience with a new twelve-cylinder power unit of a standard
never seen before.
In addition to these outstanding technologies, the BMW 760Li features
air suspension including self-levelling on the rear axle. And as an
option both models are available with Integral Active Steering offering
speed-related adjustment of the steering angle on the rear wheels. With
this enhanced steering function both front and rear, particularly the
cars' grand touring comfort on the rear seats reaches an even higher
level, above all when changing lanes at high speeds.
The supreme grand touring comfort offered by the new top-of-the-range
models in the BMW 7-Series is further underlined by comfort seats, BMW's
navigation system Professional, automatic air conditioning with
four-zone control, cruise control complete with an automatic brake
function, Park Distance Control, and Automatic Soft Close on the doors
all featured as standard.
The innovative driver assistance systems available as an option 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. And to supplement the bi-xenon headlights as a further option,
BMW offers the High-Beam Assistant and Adaptive Headlights including
Bending Lights, variable light distribution and adaptive headlight range
control, setting new standards for safe driving at night.
The Design: discreet signals on the outside, stylish exclusivity inside.
The outstanding looks of the BMW 760i and BMW 760Li benefit from the
harmonious combination of elegance, sportiness and natural presence so
characteristic of the new BMW 7-Series in its design. Offering 14
centimetres or 5.5" longer wheelbase, the extended version allows
particularly comfortable access to the rear seats. And thanks to the
unique design of the roofline and C-pillar contours, the side view of
the car, despite the extra headroom for the rear-seat passengers,
maintains the same overall impression as on the "regular" saloon with
its "normal" wheelbase. Both body versions, incidentally, come with the
longest wheelbase in their respective segments.
Visual reference to the V12 power unit on the outside of the BMW 760i
and the BMW 760Li is similarly stylish and discreet. The kidney grille
for the radiator boasts an extra-wide chrome frame in slightly concave
design as well as bars extending powerfully to the front. From the side,
19-inch light-alloy wheels available exclusively on these models as
well as the V12 model designation on the chrome-plated gills with their
integrated side direction indicators at the transition point between the
front side panel and the driver's and, respectively, front passenger's
door likewise serve to identify these very special models.
An additional chrome bar between the unique dual tailpipes on the
exhaust system provides a special sign of distinction at the rear of
both models. The exhaust tailpipes integrated in the rear air dam at the
right and left, in turn, are made up of two adjacent, rectangular pipe
units embellished with chrome trim and cut at a slight angle, flush to
their surrounds.
Inside the BMW 760i and the BMW 760Li the luxurious ambience is
supplemented by various design features tailored specifically to these
two models and matched in perfect harmony, again expressing the
exclusive character of the V12 models. Stainless-steel door entry trim
with an illuminated V12 cover, the instrument panel finished in nappa
leather and surrounded by elegant seams, the roof lining and sun visors
in alcantara as well as top-quality wood trim in exclusive burr walnut
with individual inlays help to give the BMW 760i and the BMW 760Li a
further stylish sign of distinction versus the other models in the BMW
7-Series.
The new V12 power unit: perfection as the underlying principle, innovation as the driving power.
The twelve-cylinder power unit in a BMW 7-Series Luxury Performance
Saloon guarantees a driving and travel experience quite unique in every
respect. No other engine offers such an outstanding combination of power
and refinement, no other power unit provides the same supreme standard
of prestige.
Now these features come out even more clearly, with BMW's new V12
offering significantly more power and torque compared with their
predecessors, optimising engine response and the ongoing surge of power,
and further refining the engine's acoustics. The progress achieved in
this way is clearly recognisable right from the start.
These features also stand out clearly from the BMW 750i which, with its
modern V8 featuring TwinPower Turbo Technology and High Precision
Injection, as such already offers the power and performance of a
conventional twelve-cylinder.
Hence, the new V12 maintains the outstanding position of BMW's
twelve-cylinder models also in the new generation of the BMW 7-Series,
giving the driver of a BMW 760i and, respectively, a BMW 760Li all the
assurance of absolute supremacy in the luxury class. Yet a further point
is that the new engines combine the outstanding qualities of a V12 with
up-to-date efficiency, offering a level of fuel economy and emission
management even better than eight-cylinder models in the same segment as
the BMW 7-Series.
The unique status of the twelve-cylinder as an incomparably powerful
and, at the same time, refined power unit is based on a construction and
design principle which offers perfect conditions for supreme power and
performance achieved without the slightest effort. Benefiting from an
angle of 60° between the two rows of cylinders, the V12, in its supreme
elimination of vibrations, comes closer to the highest standard
conceivable in physics than any other engine.
All components and design features on the all-aluminium engine block are
built and constructed for supreme stiffness on minimum weight. Using a
closed-deck structure combined with bolts holding the cylinder head down
on the floor plate of the crankcase, the engine, to mention just one
example, ensures maximum stability on the cylinder liners. Double bolts
on the main bearings with an additional connection to the side panels
through threaded support bushes and bolts reduce the influence of
lateral forces from the crankdrive on the crankcase.
Further components of the engine block serving in typical BMW
twelve-cylinder style to reduce vibrations to an absolute minimum are
iron-coated aluminium pistons, forged connecting rods assembled through
the cracking process, as well as the crankshaft also forged for absolute
perfection. This also makes the sound of the engine when idling a very
special experience where the driver first has to look at the rev counter
to see whether the engine is running at all.
The new V12 power unit comes with 5,972 cc maintaining exactly the same
cylinder volume as on the former engine. Displacing 497.7 cubic
centimetres per cylinder, the engine therefore offers exactly the right
size and dimensions acknowledged by engine specialists as absolutely
ideal. Bore of 89 mm/3.50" and stroke of 80 mm/3.15" provides a ratio
between these two parameters of 0.9, while the compression ratio is a
remarkably high 10.0 : 1 quite unusual on a turbocharged power unit.
Introduction of TwinPower Turbo Technology on the twelve-cylinder.
BMW's new twelve-cylinder comes with a number of special technical
features serving to capitalise on the potential it offers through its
design principle and basic structure. In particular, this includes the
first-ever use on a twelve-cylinder of TwinPower Turbo Technology and
High Precision Injection with gasoline injected directly into the
combustion chambers.
Featuring this combination of superior technologies already to be
admired on BMW's six- and eight-cylinders, responding sensitively and
directly even to small movements of the gas pedal, maintaining a
consistent torque curve and offering a level of fuel economy and
emission management quite unusual for an engine of this calibre, the new
twelve-cylinder again stands out from the competition in every respect.
Thanks to the small cylinder angle of just 60°, the two exhaust gas
turbochargers developed specifically for the new V12 fit in compact
arrangement on the outside of the two rows of cylinders, each supplying
six cylinders with compressed air.
The turbochargers stand out in particular through their unusually good
compressor and turbine efficiency - and through their particular
position they provide ideal conditions for keeping the pipes between the
exhaust manifold and the turbochargers short and straight for ideal
flow conditions. Central supply of turbocharger air into the air
collector, in turn, helps to optimise both the engine's acoustics and
charge cycle. The exhaust gas manifolds identical on each row of
cylinders come in each case with two three-in-one connections geared to
the engine's firing sequence. In combination with the catalytic
converters optimised for minimum counter-pressure, this special
configuration of the exhaust gas manifolds sets the foundation for
outstanding spontaneity in following the gas pedal as well as supreme
power and torque coming from the twelve-cylinder.
Peak torque now increased to 750 Newton-metres or 553 lb-ft comes at
just 1,500 rpm and is maintained consistently all the way to 5,000 rpm.
Compared with the former engine, this means an increase in torque by 25
per cent now developed at an engine speed approximately 2,300 rpm lower.
Engine power is also built up more quickly than on the previous engine,
as is borne out by the much steeper power curve leading up to maximum
output of 400 kW/544 hp at just 5,250 rpm.
Intelligent solution for even more power and supremacy.
The introduction of TwinPower Turbo Technology raises the
twelve-cylinder to a level of output and torque a naturally-aspirated
power unit would achieve only with much larger displacement. The
increase in engine size and weight inevitable in such a case, together
with negative effects on the centre of gravity, fuel consumption and the
agility of the car, are all avoided most efficiently and intelligently
through turbocharger technology.
To reduce counter-pressure the exhaust system comes on the underfloor
with largely straight pipes and manifolds increased in size to the
largest possible diameter. Exhaust flaps around the silencer
masterminded by the electronic control unit as a function of engine maps
provide exactly the right engine sound precisely geared to current
driving conditions. When idling, therefore, the V12 remains absolutely
silent, not emitting any noise at all. The same applies to cruising
conditions, with only very discreet sound from the engine being emitted
to the outside. So it is only at higher engine speeds that the driver
receives appropriate acoustic feedback on the development of power, with
the engine providing its muscular V12 sound when accelerating fast and
under full power. Again, this special sound effect under such dynamic
conditions authentically reflects both the capacity of the engine and
the intensity of power coming from within the engine compartment,
characterising the dynamic qualities of BMW's twelve-cylinder.
Optimised combustion and maximum efficiency ensured by High Precision Injection.
BMW High Precision Injection is a second-generation direct injection
technology serving to optimise the combustion process and use the energy
contained in the fuel with maximum efficiency. Piezo-injectors
positioned in the middle of the cylinder head allow particularly precise
dosage of the fuel injected into the combustion chambers.
In combination with TwinPower Turbo Technology, High Precision Injection
is featured in all gasoline engines in the BMW 7-Series. And now, in
the new V12 power unit, this technology ensures particularly efficient
and clean combustion as the starting point for a level of fuel economy
and emission management quite unparalleled in this class of performance.
Opening up to the outside, the piezo-injectors are positioned in the
cylinder head between the valves and, as a result, directly next to the
spark plugs. They are supplied with fuel through stainless-steel pipes,
fuel then being injected into the combustion chambers in finely atomised
form at a pressure of up to 200 bar. This system pressure is generated
by single-plunge fuel pumps on each row of cylinders and is maintained
reliably at all times by short pipes and fuel travel.
The fuel injected in this process spreads out in conical form, thus
burning in a particularly smooth and clean process. This, in turn, has a
positive effect on engine emissions and sound, the cooling effect of
the fuel/air mixture provided by direct fuel injection helping in
addition to achieve a higher compression ratio than on a turbocharged
engine with manifold injection. The bottom line, therefore, is an even
higher degree of engine efficiency generating more power on less fuel.
In their configuration and structure, the cylinder heads largely follow
the particular position of the injectors and spark plugs as well as the
combustion process provided by High Precision Injection. Short
combustion phases optimised for maximum efficiency build up a high level
of pressure and temperature requiring optimised cylinder head geometry
and an effective flow of coolant. The cylinder head components cast in a
gravity process stand out in particular through their very high level
of stiffness, while the cylinder head covers are made of aluminium and
come with rubber profile seals.
Double-VANOS and volume flow-controlled oil pump for maximum efficiency.
Again in typical BMW style, the new twelve-cylinder comes with
double-VANOS for infinite adjustment of camshaft control timing. This
ensures part load running conditions with a high level of residual gas
and reduced throttle loss for maximum fuel efficiency.
A further advantage of double-VANOS is its support in giving the engine a
particularly direct response. Joined in a thermal process, the
camshafts come with forged cams, additional triple cams on the intake
side serving to drive the high-pressure fuel pumps. The valves on the
exhaust side, in turn, are filled with sodium for optimum cooling and
come with chrome-plated shafts.
The supply of oil to the new twelve-cylinder has also been optimised,
the volume flow-controlled oil pump operating on individual demand with
maximum efficiency: The six-chamber pendulum-slide pump delivers only as
much oil as the engine requires at any given point in time under
specific driving conditions.
An oil level sensor is integrated in the oil sump made of pressure-cast
aluminium. And instead of a manual oil dipstick, an oil level indicator
in the instrument cluster also operating while driving informs the
driver of the oil level whenever required.
The new twelve-cylinder models in the BMW 7-Series again feature a wide
range of technologies for minimum fuel consumption and emissions based
on BMW's strategy of EfficientDynamics. These include Brake Energy
Regeneration, electric coolant pumps operating on demand, and the volume
flow-controlled oil pump further optimising the balance of load
performance and fuel consumption.
With an increase in engine output versus the former models by 22 and an
increase in maximum torque by 25 per cent, the average fuel consumption
determined in the EU test cycle has been reduced to 12.9) litres/100
kilometres. The emission rating of the BMW 760i is 299) grams per
kilometre.
The engine coolant system on the new twelve-cylinder excels through
consistent integration of all pipes in the crankcase, optimised
cross-sections and the surface structure ensuring a maximum heat
exchanger function helping to warm up the engine far more quickly than
before on the former power unit.
The arrangement of the coolant inlet immediately next to the main inlet
duct for supplying oil serves in addition to connect the two media in
thermal terms, again helping to warm up engine oil and maintain the
ideal temperature at all times.
The flow of coolant is separated on the two rows of cylinders, in each
case running diagonally from the rear outside to the front inside. And
last but not least, the arrangement of the outlets again helps to
consistently spread out and maintain the temperature level over a wide
range of engine speed.
The BMW's outstanding competence in twelve-cylinder technology: a long tradition of supreme performance.
This is the fourth time that a twelve-cylinder power unit marks the top
end of the engine portfolio featured in the BMW 7-Series. And indeed,
every new generation has further reinforced BMW's position as the
leading manufacturer of luxury performance saloons. A BMW 7-Series with a
twelve-cylinder power unit stands for exclusivity, supremacy and, not
least, genuine innovation, the top-of-the-range engines providing the
highest standard also on account of the maximum demands they are
expected to meet right from the start in the development process.
The BMW's outstanding competence in the development and production of
twelve-cylinder power units is based on a long tradition extending all
the way back to the year 1925 when the Company for the first time hit
the headlines by building an aircraft engine with twelve cylinders. Back
then BMW's V12 developed maximum output of 750 hp, with two BMW
twelve-cylinders powering the Dornier Wal seaplane just five years later
in its record flight across the Atlantic.
In the second half of the 20th century BMW became the pioneer in
introducing the twelve-cylinder in the most outstanding luxury cars. The
BMW 750i launched in 1987, for example, was the first German
twelve-cylinder saloon after the war. In the years to follow a long
story of success in motorsport likewise contributed to the exceptional
reputation of BMW's twelve-cylinders. The BMW V12 LMR, for example,
dominated the racing scene right from the start in its very first race
in 1999, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and in the same season clinched
overall victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
World debut: eight-speed automatic transmission in the new BMW 760i and the new BMW 760Li.
The unique qualities of the new V12 power unit with TwinPower Turbo
Technology and High Precision Injection are combined in the new BMW 760i
and the new BMW 760Li with an equally innovative concept for the
transmission of power: the newly developed eight-speed automatic
transmission making its world debut in a BMW production car. Ideally
tailored to the power and performance characteristics of the
twelve-cylinder power unit, the eight-speed automatic transmission
combines supreme gearshift comfort, sportiness and efficiency at a level
never achieved before.
The new eight-speed automatic transmission excels through the innovative
configuration of gears and gearsets allowing the use of additional
gears and a larger range of gear increments than on the former six-speed
automatic transmission, without any negative effects on the size of the
transmission, its weight, and the inner efficiency of the system.
The eight forward gears and the reverse gear all incorporate four simple
gearsets and five gearshift elements. The innovative arrangement of
these components seen for the first time on an eight-speed automatic
transmission ensures that only two clutches are open in each gear at any
given point in time, significantly reducing frictional losses under all
driving conditions to an absolute minimum.
Optimum gearset configuration as the result of scientific research.
To achieve significant progress over BMW's proven six-speed automatic
transmissions, BMW's engineers right from the start initiated an
in-depth development process providing the basis for the new
transmission. The initial consideration was that particularly the
improvement of efficiency as desired was only possible with a
transmission system offering an even larger number of gears and a wider
range of gear increments versus a six-speed automatic transmission. A
further objective was to keep the number of additional components to a
minimum in order to optimise the inner efficiency of the system.
Triple progress with two additional gears: gearshift dynamics improved, comfort optimised, efficiency maximised.
Thanks to the larger range of gear increments now offered by the new
transmission, the driver is able to use the highest gear at
significantly reduced engine speed far more often than before. In the
BMW 760i and the BMW 760Li, this not only optimises the car's economy
also at higher speeds, but also enhances the smoothness and refinement
of the twelve-cylinder.
With the number of gears being increased to eight, the individual steps
between gears are smaller than before, despite the overall range of gear
increments. Clearly, this benefits the sporting character of the
transmission and, as a result, the dynamic nature of the car again in
typical BMW style.
While accelerating the harmonious balance of gear ratios provides a very
smooth and consistent increase in road speed, a feature corresponding
ideally with the ongoing surge of power from the new V12 and again
confirming the unparalleled supremacy of the BMW 760i and the BMW 760Li.
A further advantage of the small gear increments is the enhancement of
gearshift comfort in BMW's most outstanding Luxury Performance Saloon,
with only a slight change in engine speed when shifting from one gear to
another.
Flexible, up-to-date, oriented to the future.
With the number of transmission components being increased only slightly
over the former six-speed automatic transmission, the new eight-speed
automatic offers an unusually high level of internal efficiency.
So-called gear-mesh efficiency, for example, is more than 98 per cent in
each gear. And being configured as a direct gear, sixth gear reduces
frictional losses to zero.
The low weight of the new transmission virtually identical to that of
the former six-speed automatic likewise benefits the overall efficiency
of the car, with the integration of an additional gearset being
compensated by the optimisation of weight in other areas.
In all the minimum converter slip, the high degree of internal
efficiency, low frictional losses with only two clutches open at a time,
the longer transmission ratios on the higher gears and the transmission
management giving preference to low engine speeds at all times offer a
reduction of fuel consumption versus the former six-speed automatic by
approximately 6 per cent.
The new transmission may be combined with all kinds of engines and
levels of performance, and may be integrated not only in cars with
rear-wheel drive, but also in all-wheel-drive models. At the same time
the eight-speed automatic transmission may be combined with hybrid
drive, making it part of BMW's Active Hybrid technology combining an
eight-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor.
The drive technology featured in the new BMW 760i and the new BMW 760Li
makes a significant contribution to the significant innovation of power
technology ensured by the BMW brand, the unique power and performance
characteristics of the new V12 power unit and the innovative concept of
eight-speed automatic transmission joining forces to provide a truly
fascinating driving experience.
The eight-speed automatic transmission perfectly supplements both the
supremacy and the dynamic character of the power unit. At the same time
the exceptional efficiency of both top models in the BMW 7-Series
results not just from the V12 power unit, but also from the
transmission. Innovations developed in the context of BMW
EfficientDynamics allow this luxury saloon to combine acceleration to
100 km/h in 4.6) seconds with average fuel consumption in the EU test
cycle of 12.9) litres/100 kilometres.
The outstanding position of the new BMW 760i and the new BMW 760Li is
further underlined by suspension technology specially developed for this
Luxury Saloon, combining innovative driver assistance systems partly
exclusive to BMW with a wide range of comfort amenities all featured as
standard. More than ever before, therefore, both models meet the demands
and requirements of the most discerning motorist seeking individual
mobility of the highest calibre as part of his or her lifestyle
dedicated to absolute perfection.
