BMW May Ditch V12 Engine for Next-Generation 7-Series

BMW may cease production of the V12 powerplant currently found in the 760Li. Rumours suggest that in line with BMW’s current downsizing, the 6.0 liter V12 unit may not make it into the hood of the next generation 7-Series.

The 760li and the entire V12 BMW range celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier on in the year. The news comes via BMW Australia product and pricing manager Christoph Priemel, who is quoted as stating that no decision has been made yet.

The current BMW V12 unit is known internally as the N74 and features TwinPower Turbo technology, direct petrol injection and Double-Vanos continuously variable camshaft timing. The N74 develops maximum power of 544hp at 5,250rpm from a displacement of 5,972cc. Peak torque of 750 Newton meters is maintained between 1,500 and 5,000rpm. It also features an eight-speed automatic transmission, a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 4.6 seconds and a limited top speed of 250km/h.

Of course, BMW V12’s have been fitted to cars other than the 760Li in the past. The iconic S70/2 featured in the McLaren F1, the M73 was fitted in the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph for a short period and the N73 can also be found in the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Not to mention the V12 LM cars!