News Source: BimmerToday

topspeed.com

It looks like some information may have been leaked about BMW’  s 7 Series  flagship model for 2016. According to Bimmer Today, the online configurator for the BMW 7 Series  on BMW.de has revealed that BMW will offer a M760Li model for 2016. Apparently, some 2015 models – when properly built in the configurator – will display a new M760Li badge on the rear deck lid.

So, if this information is correct, it looks like there will be an M Performance variant of the 760 next year, powered by a revised version of BMW’s V-12 engine. It’s expected that the 760 will only be offered with a longer wheelbase, but we don’t expect to see the official debut until sometime near the end of next year. That means there is a lot of time for things to change. To the best of our knowledge, the range-topping model of the 7 Series should go for somewhere in the area of $150,000. But, should the configurator be correct, an M-variant of the 760 could go for a little more.

The M760Li will obviously come standard with the M Performance package, but don’t lose hope for a non-performance based model. The V-12 can easily be adapted to provide more or less power depending on the model, which means there could also be a purely luxury-  based version of the 760 as well. So is this just a hoax in hopes of getting people excited? Well, I set out to take a look at the configurator on BMW.de myself.

Why it matters

I can’t say with 100 percent certainty whether the whole M760i is a hoax or not. For all we know, some programmer could have made a small error and accidentally dropped the ball – leaking a model to come. It could also be someone playing with Photoshop, simply making their own M760i badge and tricking us all. When I looked at the configurator on BMW.de (big thanks to Google Chrome for translating,) I attempted to configure several different 7 Series models – including the 740i, 740Li, 750i, and 750Li. I tried equipping various options – including the M Sports package – but never actually saw the M760Li badge. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean this whole thing is a hoax – BMW could have easily had their online programmer “fix the leak.” Besides, the leak was said to be found with certain 2015 models under a specific configuration, so maybe I just missed it. Despite not being able to find proof myself, I still lean toward the fact that it is true, and an M760i will debut sometime next year. If this is a hoax, however, I would like to give kudos to the father. It would be a creative way to convince BMW to give us what we want, wouldn’t it?

The one thing about the new 2016 BMW 7 Series that is the least surprising is its design. Even if we hadn’t seen the car completely uncovered earlier this year, the new styling is essentially an evolution of the current 7 Series styling combined with the latest BMW design language.

Up front, BMW’s signature kidney grille is flanked by wider and narrower headlights, while the lower fascia is more aggressive than the current car. The profile hasn’t changed all that much, with the exception of the lower chrome accent line, but it’s the rear of the sedan that might be the biggest departure with sportier taillights, integrated exhaust outlets and a short decklid.

Generally speaking, customers in the market for a big luxury sedan like this probably care more about the interior than anything else, and the 2016 BMW 7 Series won’t disappoint. The lack of a standard-wheelbase model means that all 2016 7 Series cars deliver maximum rear-passenger space, and things get even better for rear occupants with the new Rear Executive Lounge Seating Package that gives the right-side passenger the added comfort of a pop-out footrest and a seatback that reclines up to 42.5 degrees.

All 2016 BMW 7 Series sedans come standard with a panoramic roof while a more intense Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof is optional.

BMW made sure to nail down the comfort of the new 7 Series, but this car is still packed with plenty of tech, the coolest of which is the iDrive 5.0 with touch display and Gesture Control, which uses 3D sensors to detect pre-selected hand gestures to perform tasks such as adjusting the audio volume, accepting and rejecting incoming phone calls, navigating to a home address and shutting off the screen.

Other tech goodies include the Touch Command Tablet — a removable 7-inch tablet that allows rear occupants to control everything from HVAC temps to infotainment, and the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system with 1,400 watts and 16 speakers.

As usual, BMW will put endless customization options at the disposal of its buyers, including a range of unique configurations via the Individual division.

When the 2016 BMW 7 Series goes on sale this fall, it will be available as the rear-drive 740i or the all-wheel-drive 750i xDrive. Like the current 740i, the 2016 model will be powered by BMW  ’s 3.0-liter, TwinPower Turbo inline-six, but power output is up slightly to 320 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque.

The 750i has BMW’s 4.4-liter V-8, which has been redesigned with a pair of TwinScroll turbochargers, higher compression ratio and an intake manifold partially integrated into the cylinder head, to deliver 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. All engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and it also comes with standard Launch Control to help maximize acceleration, with 0-60 times of 5.4 seconds for the 740 and 4.3 seconds for the 750.