There has never been a BMW M7, and the Bavarians has long maintained that there will never be a high-performance model of the 7-Series. But according to the latest rumours, this is about to change.
BMW’s main competitors Mercedes and Audi both offer high-performance versions of their flagship models. Mercedes has the S63 AMG and S65 AMG, Audi has the S8, but there isn’t a BMW M7. Recently the head of BMW North America, Ludwig Willisch, was pressing corporate headquarters in Munich to also add an M7 model. Willisch, who previously served as president of the M division, would be pleased by the latest plans unfolded by BMW.
According to a recent report, BMW will offer a high-performance version of the next generation 7-Series scheduled for 2015. But it won’t be an M7, but it will come close. The planned M770i xDrive will be powered by a 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 with an output of 475 horsepower and 650Nm (480 lb-ft) of torque.
Although the V12 powered 760Li offers more power with its 570hp and 900Nm (665lb-ft) of torque, the M770i will provide more ‘sheer driving pleasure’ due to the extensive use of carbon fiber. The roof, trunk and hood will be made of this lightweight material. The four sports seats will shed some weight as well, just as carbon-ceramic brakes, a thin-wall exhaust with four tailpipes, and twenty-inch hollow-spoke wheels. The total amount of weight saved will be about 200kg or 450 pounds.
It may not be the M7, but at least it’s an M-badged variant. Perhaps the BMW M770i xDrive will open the door for a real BMW M7.
[Via Automobile Mag]
