If you want a fast, full-size German sedan, there’s no shortage of models available on the market. Audi has its S8, Mercedes-Benz has its Mercedes-AMG-tuned S-Class and BMW has its Alpina-tuned 7-Series, though the latter isn’t quite in the same league as some of its rivals. That’s where a new M Performance version of the BMW flagship comes into the picture.
Playing around with the configurator on BMW’s German website, BimmerToday managed to make a “M760Li” badge show up during some queries. The configurator would even show a standard 7-Series wearing the badge, as indicated in the above screenshot.
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Assuming this wasn’t some data entry error, it means BMW may be about to introduce an M Performance version of the new 7-series called the M760Li. M Performance gives buyers a taste of the M treatment, without substantially revising the car (or crossover) from other production forms. There are already some M Performance cars available such as the M235i and latest X4 M40i.
We’ve been hearing about an M Performance 7-Series for some time, though it was previously thought to be coming with a V-8 engine. The leaked badge suggests a V-12 engine. BMW’s last 760Li came with a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12 good for 535 horsepower and 550 pound feet of torque. The M760Li will likely have more than that since rivals are producing well over 600 hp now.
Why no M7? BMW M isn’t keen on building a dedicated performance version because of a belief that the 7-Series is too much of a luxury car to wear a full M badge and too much of a niche to make it a sound investment.
Stay tuned for an update.
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