By Ven Sreenivasan

IT COMES some 22 years after BMW first introduced its 12-cylinder 7-series.

And the Munich-based luxury performance carmaker claims it is the best car it has ever made. The latest BMW 760Li and 760i are the 4th generation of a line which goes back all the way to 1987, when the German carmaker launched its first-generation 4-speed auto version.

And that car proved to be a niche product boasting a combination of power, control, elegance and luxury which set new standards in luxury performance sedans.

First looks can be deceiving, where the latest offering is concerned. To the casual observer, the white test sedans had hardly anything to distinguish them from the rest of the new 7-series line, which came to the market late last year.

Of course there is the 760Li badge at the back. But the slightly wider kidney grille is hardly discernible, while the subtle interior trims don't give away much either.

On closer examination, one can pick out the discreet V12 chrome gill-badges adjoining the front door and mudguard. Another tell-tale sign is the two sets of dual chrome exhaust tailpipes protruding from both sides at the rear.

Inside, there is the mix of burr walnut, nappa leather, and chrome which immediately tell you that you are in a very exclusive luxury sedan.

Then there are the usual bells and whistles which one has come to expect of luxury sedans, including the auto cruise control, lane departure warnings, soft-close doors, look up windscreen displays and adaptive headlights including "bending lights".

But you only truly get a feel of the beast when you floor the accelerator. You hit G-forces you didn't realise existed as you do the mind-blowing zero to 100 sprint in 4.6 seconds, delivered by the most powerful and efficient engine in the marketplace.

The 760Li's 6.0-litre all-aluminium engine with Twin Turbo Technology, High Precision Direct Injection powerhouse delivers 544 horses at 5,000 rpm, with maximum torque of 553 lb-ft from just 1,500 rpm.

The use of Twin- Power Turbo Technology raises the 12-cylinder to a level of output and torque a naturally-aspirated power unit would achieve only with much larger displacement.

Combined with a brand-new 8-speed automatic transmission, this V12 offers an exhilarating combination of power, driving dynamics and refinement which converts seemingly unlimited power reserves into action with amazing responsiveness.

The combination of higher gear ratio and twin clutch enables shorter response and stitching times. This is the same drive-train system and engine which will power the new Rolls-Royce Ghost.

Although power output has been boosted 22 per cent, the addition of lightweight aluminium doors, roof, and bonnet has reduced fuel consumption by 5 per cent to 12.9 litres/100 km.

"The new 7-series has had a very successful start since we first launched it some nine months ago," Johann Kristler, project manager for the BMW 7 series told reporters gathered at Munich for the global media test drive.

"It has the most powerful and efficient engine in the marketplace. We are the only manufacturer to offer this type of engine in a large-scale production car." But for now, production is somewhat limited: its 19-man manufacturing team can only churn out some 10 cars a day, which will be ramped to 30 cars per shift before the year end.

Given that 7-series owners are mostly chauffeured around, who would buy this car, which seems to be engineered for pure driving pleasure? "Well, we know that only about 2 per cent of buyers of the luxury cars will go for this," said Stefan Neugebauer of the 7-series team.

"And those who do are the ones who want to experience something more than just sitting in the exclusivity and comfort of the rear seat all the time.

They still want to experience that feeling of exhilaration every now and then. This is an active car for an active person. There are 12-cylinder cars out there, and there is the BMW 760Li 12-cylinder. You will know the difference the moment you start it up and hit the throttle."

Yes, this is a very special car built for very discerning owners who want a very special combination of luxury, exclusivity and performance.

Performance Motors will be taking bookings for the car during the fourth quarter of this year, and prices will depend on configuration requested by the customer.

ven@sph.com.sg

This article was first published in The Business Times.