BMW has taken its time on its V12 engine and has confirmed that after a short run of 12 special editions of the M760Lis intended only for the US, it will no longer offer a V12 engine in any of its models in global markets.
That doesn’t mean BMW’s V12 engine will be phased out entirely, however, as Rolls-Royce will retain its 6.75-litre variant for the Ghost, Phantom, Cullinan and Dawn models. That probably won’t change anytime soon thanks to Rolls-Royce’s customer base and popularity in markets less sensitive to environmental stresses, but with the Wraith’s successor featuring an all-electric powertrain, even Rolls-Royce won’t be immune to it the pressure that will be placed on large displacement engines like the V12 over the next decade.
BMW has a long history with the V12 engine, introducing its first M70 unit in 1987 and going through periods where it was offered in both the 7 Series sedan and the E31 8 Series. Of course, it also laid the foundation for the legendary S70/2, which found a home in the McLaren F1.
The current N74 unit in the M760Li is a contemporary version of the V12, using twin turbochargers, 6.6L displacement and all of BMW’s intake and exhaust tricks like double VANOS to produce a peak power of 601 hp and a whopping 590 lb of torque ft already from 1550 rpm.
In this form, the M760Li can hit 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, an impressive number considering the Final Edition’s vast equipment package, which includes literally every BMW luxury and convenience feature, from laser-assisted headlights to massaging rear seats. Bespoke touches on the Final Edition M760Li are subtle, with some badge changes and a change in paint color on the 20-inch Style 760M double-spoke alloy wheels. Unfortunately, the V12’s efficiency, or more specifically its lack of efficiency, is the main reason for its eventual demise, making what was always a niche engine option in the 7-series even more so.
How long will the V12 live on in its other forms? As evidenced by the likes of GMA and Aston Martin, the market for low-production V12 supercars remains steadfast – despite the £2m+ prices they are now charging. However, BMW’s contribution to the history of the V12 engine went in the opposite direction and brought with it a degree of democratization which, like Jaguar, lowered the entry price for this very special type of engine.
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https://formulaone.news/mclaren/f1-teams-are-effectively-holding-the-sport-hostage
