Well, the 2016 BMW 7 Series is upon us, and while we were all hoping to see the first-ever M7,->ke4402 BMW->ke178 made no mention of it in the press release. So far, it appears the closest we’re going to get to the M7, other than the Alpina B7,->ke536 will be the M Sport version of the big Bimmer.

The new 7 Series’ M Sport package doesn’t add the oomph that the M7 likely would, but it does add an extra touch of sportiness to the model. Also lacking in the M Sport model are any upgrades in the handling department, save for a set of wheels.

So, will this M Sport package be enough to keep the wolves at bay for now, or will those who were anticipating an M7 with this new generation start revolting? For now, this will have to do, but I am not too sure how long M fans can wait.

Find out what I think by reading my full review of the 7 Series M Sport package below.

Exterior

On the outside, the 2016 BMW 7 Series underwent a significant overhaul that included new to-the-grille headlights and a revised grille, and the body grew significantly because only the long-wheelbase model will be available here in the States.

Despite the growth, the BMW 7 Series->ke323 is lighter than last year’s model, thanks to its Carbon Core architecture and use of lightweight metals.

The M Sport package for the 2016 7 Series is about as close to an M7 as buyers can get, for now. This package adds in the M Aerodynamic kit, which features more aggressive front and rear aprons, and side skirts for an added touch of sportiness. Also included are 19-inch M light-alloy wheels. Buyers may also opt for 20-inch versions of these wheels.

Also setting the M Sport models apart from the standard 7 Series are two exclusive colors: Carbon Black Metallic and Singapore Gray Metallic.

Interior

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Inside the cabin, the M Sport package adds only a few upgrades. These include illuminated doorsill plates with the M logo, light- or dark-chrome accents, a BMW Individual anthracite headliner, and an M dead pedal. There certainly isn’t much to this package when it comes to the interior, but this is not uncommon for M Sport models.

Drivetrain

Note: BMW 750i twin-turbo V-8 pictured.

Like so many BMW M Sport models, this M-touched 7 Series has no mechanical updates to speak of. BMW wasn’t clear on what versions of the 7 Series would have the M Sport package available, but I would imaging both the 740i and 750i models will have it as an option.

The 740i features the same 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-six engine as the 2015 model, but in the 2016 mode BMW turned the juice up to 320 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque.

In the 750i, the power remains at 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque from its 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8.

Both engines mate to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 750i comes standard with xDrive all-wheel drive, while the 740i comes with rear-wheel drive.

This all leads to a 5.4-second 0-to-60 run for the 740i and a 4.3-second run for the 750i.

Pricing

Base pricing of the 7 Series is already public knowledge, as BMW announced the 740i will start from $81,300 and the 750i xDrive will start from $97,400. Unfortunately, there are no details on the M Sport package’s MSRP, but about $5,000 seems a good bet.

Competition

2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 with Sport Package

The S550 is a key competitor for the 750i (there is no direct competitor for the 740i), and its Sport Package is fairly equal to the M Sport package. This $5,900 upgrade adds in a revised front air dam, flared side sills, a rear valance, and 19-inch AMG wheels. For an extra $500, you can also have a rear spoiler.

Like the M Sport, the Sport Package does nothing to the S550’s drivetrain, as it still makes use of the 4.7-liter twin-turbo V-8 that produces 449 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. With the Sport Package, the S550 runs $100,300.

You can read our full review of the S-Class here.

Audi A8 with Sport Plus Package

The Audi A8->ke1089 is another key competitor for the 7 Series, and the closest package to the M Sport is the Sport Plus. This package adds in 20-inch five-double-spoke wheels, dynamic steering, and a sports differential. Unfortunately, this $3,700 option doesn’t include any body styling.

The A8 is available in two states of tune, starting with the standard 3.0-liter TFSI engine with 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. Optionally, buyers can opt for the 4.0-liter TFSI, which has 435 horsepower and 444 pound-feet of torque. The base A8 with the 3.0-liter engine starts from $81,100 with the Sport Plus package installed, while the V-8-powered sedan runs $90,100 with the Sport Plus package.

You can read our full A8 review here.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, this is just a tick on an option box when buying the 2016 7 Series, but the bits that it adds help give the big Bimmer a new attitude. What’s more, for now this is the only M-touched version of the 7er. Hopefully we’ll soon have a full-blown M7.