Say hello to the Bavarian’s latest uber-luxury ground-bound missile. Based on the sixth-generation 7 Series, this velocity limo walks and talks like an M7, but an M7 it is not. Maybe it’s not quite hardcore enough to bear the M Division nomenclature, but either way, there’s no doubt this thing brings the goods when it comes to going fast. Inside, you’ll find a capacious cabin space dripping in luxury and technology, while the exterior is subtle and refined. But the real centerpiece lies under the hood, where you’ll find BMW’s most powerful production V-12 ever created.

In fact, the M760Li xDrive offers with the first 12-cylinder engine with M Performance twin-turbo power adders, which is more than appropriate for BMW’s latest flagship luxury sedan. So then - this thing promises to deliver world-class style and comfort, bleeding-edge tech, and eye-widening performance. Let’s see what makes it tick.

Updated 11/15/2016: BMW announced prices for the new M760Li xDrive at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 BMW M760Li xDrive.

Exterior

One look at the M760Li xDrive, and you’d be forgiven for confusing it with a regular ‘ole 7 Series. It still has the same proportions, character lines, and enormously long wheelbase. Get closer, however, and you’ll start to notice a few differences, most of which can be summed up in four simple words – Cerium Grey-colored trim.

Let’s start up front, where we find a tweaked fascia with larger air intakes in the lower bumper, outlined in Cerium Grey. Cerium Grey can also be found complementing the glossy black in that characteristic kidney grille, which uses active shudders to either cool the engine or enhance aero efficiency.

Moving to the profile, we find more Cerium Grey along the lower door edges. The side-view mirrors caps and door handle trim are both new, and there’s discrete badging announcing the car’s cylinder count on the C-pillars. In the corners, you’ll find exclusive double-spoke “760M” alloy wheels, measuring in at 20 inches and finished in (you guessed it) Cerium Grey.

In back is a unique black surround for the exhaust, which uses an “exclusive V-12 geometry” for a dual-pipe, quad-tip look. Finally, the trunk handle strip was updated, there are L-shaped LED taillights, and an M-specific rear spoiler finishes it off.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

Odds are owners will spend most (if not all) their time in one of the two rear seating positions, where space and amenities are about as abundant as they come. Materials include top-shelf wood, high-gloss metal, and creamy leather. Brushed-aluminum doorsills illuminated with “V12” greet passengers upon ingress and egress.

Of course, things aren’t exactly barebones in front, either. Drivers will enjoy piano black trim around the selector lever and iDrive Controller on the center tunnel, also sporting the ubiquitous “V12” logo. The new M-branded steering wheel is wrapped in leather and gets multifunction buttons set in Pearl Gloss Chrome inlays. The pedals are made from stainless steel and get rubber inserts for slip-free inputs.

The iDrive 5.0 infotainment operating system ties together all the gizmos, offering both a touchscreen and traditional physical buttons. Of course, being a new 7 Series, there’s also Gesture Control, which uses 3D sensors to read hand movements for things like audio and phone operation. This system is also configurable for custom gesture controls if desired.

As you might expect, navigation is standard, with BMW’s ConnectedDrive Services SIM card and Advanced Real Time Traffic Information fitted to get you to that next board meeting on time. BMW also provides over-the-air nav updates for three years after purchase, and drivers can activate automatic traffic sign readers for real-time updates to BMW’s map profiles.

A next-gen heads-up display is also standard, displaying info like road speed, speed limits, system messages, navigation, and infotainment menus onto the windshield, keeping the driver’s eyes on the road. New for this model is a 75-percent larger projection area for the full color graphics.

Drivetrain

Let’s get straight to the meat of the matter – the M760Li xDrive uses a 6.6-liter, twin-turbo, all-aluminum V-12 to produce 600 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 590 pound-feet of torque at an astoundingly low 1,500 rpm (BMW says those numbers are “preliminary,” so it’s entirely possible we’ll get even more output when this thing goes on sale). A sprint to 62 mph is estimated at 3.9 seconds, with a top speed that’s electronically limited to 155 mph. Delete the nanny, and I’d expect at least 190 mph at the top end.

In the industry, 600 horsepower usually falls under the technical classification of “a lot,” but for all intents and purposes, this powerplant doesn’t sound like some thrashy, barely-controlled monster. It uses a closed-deck construction with bolts connecting the cylinder head to the bed plate of the crankcase, maximizing stability on the cylinder liners. There are double bolts on the main bearings and threaded support bushes to reduce lateral force stress on the crankcase. The aluminum pistons use an iron coating, and there are forged connecting rods and a forged crankshaft.

There’s also a smart, six-cylinder pendulum-side oil pump keeping it all lubed, and a digital readout on oil levels is sent to the instrument cluster, replacing the traditional manual dipstick.

BMW’s High Precision Injection places the injectors centrally on the cylinder head, spraying dino juice at up to 2,900 psi. There’s also Double-VANOS continuously variable cam timing.

Placed just outside the cylinder banks, you’ll find twin mono-scroll turbochargers, which breathe boost into twin air-to-water intercoolers. Mounted directly on the intake manifold, the intercoolers keep the charge as chilly as possible without too many twists and turns on the way to the cylinders.

Making the noise is a large-diameter, nearly straight exhaust, which comes with a “flap activation system” for your choice of either quiet cruising or sonorous V-12 blasts.

M Performance tuned the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission for optimum shift patterns specific to the V-12. It offers zero converter slip outside of gear changes, and comes with Launch Control and a manual shift mode (paddles are located on the steering wheel).

In Bimmer parlance, xDrive basically means AWD. The system uses fully variable torque distribution between the front and rear axle, but as you might expect, it comes biased towards the rear for nippier handling.

Drivetrain Specifications

Chassis And Handling

While not exactly feathery, this colossal machine manages to save a little bit of weight thanks to a highly rigid carbon-fiber passenger cell. The mass that remains is managed by an active air suspension system with Dynamic Damper Control for either comfort or sportiness. There’s active electromechanical roll stabilization, and the standard air suspension components were tuned specifically for this particular model.

The steering system is active as well, replacing the old planetary gear set with a variable rack ratio. Turn the wheel, and the rear wheels steer in conjunction with the front for enhanced agility.

No Bimmer would be complete without a variety of drive modes via Driving Dynamics Control, which can alter the steering, suspension, and transmission settings at the push of a button. Alternatively, set it to adaptive mode, and the system will anticipate optimum drive settings using driving style analysis, navigation system data, and a camera that reads the road ahead.

Adorning the large wheels are Michelin Super Sport tires, measure at 245/40R20 in the front and 275/35R20 in the rear.

Safety

BMW’s Driving Assistant Plus system carries over for the M760Li xDrive, including a Traffic Jam Assistant, plus active safety systems like lane-keep assist, side-collision protection, rear collision prevention, and a rear cross-traffic warning. There’s also next-gen Surround View for easier close-quarter maneuvers.

Finally, there’s standard BMW Assist eCall, with both automatic and manual operation. Essentially, this system will use the onboard SIM card to connect with a BMW call center in the event of an accident, sending the vehicle location and potential injury status if needed.

Prices

Set to arrive in dealerships in early 2017, the BMW M760Li xDrive retails from $153,800 plus destination and handling. This sticker makes it the most expensive 7 Series to date and places it above the Alpina model. For reference, the 750i xDrive starts from $97,600, while the Aplina B7 xDrive fetches $137,000 before options.

Competition

Read the full review [here.1}

Subtle looks, lots of passenger space, and ungodly power – that’s the formula here. Audi gets it right with the S8 Plus, which ticks all the boxes in just the right way. That’s doubly so for what lurks behind the four-ring grille, which hides a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 good for 605 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Hit overboost and you’ll get 553 pound-feet total. That makes for a BMW equivalent 3.8-second 0-to-62 mph time, with the option for 190 mph if desired (and yes, you desire).

Read the full review here.

Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

Where BMW and Audi go, Mercedes is sure to follow. And why not? Take the glamor-drenched S-Class, drop in a twin-turbo, 5.5-liter V-8 and suddenly, who’s following who? With 577 horsepower and a 0-to-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds, the answer isn’t so certain. Of course, subtlety isn’t this Merc’s strong suit, which may appeal to some. The AMG is also available as the S65 with a 6.0-liter V-12 rated at 621 horses, but this version is rear-wheel drive only.

Read the full review here.

Conclusion

I’m always amazed by these over-the-top speed limos. They somehow manage to bend space-time to their will, overcoming huge weight penalties with incredible technology and engineering. Despite the size and heft, this thing still manages a 0-to-60 time under four seconds, and although I have yet to drive one, the adaptive suspension and AWD system are sure to slingshot it through the corners. Sure, you could buy something sportier for the money, but that’s not the point. It’s the way the M760Li xDrive combines all that opulence and speed into one package that amazes me.

So is it better than the Merc or Audi? That’s really up to personal preference. But the point is this – any way you slice it, this Bimmer is made to move.