Skip to main content

BMW M760LI xDrive quick review

2017 BMW M760LI XDRIVE – LUXURY ON OVER-DRIVE

Originally published on the new performance oriented website, Fuelcurve.com:  https://fuelcurve.com/2017-bmw-m760li-xdrive-luxury-over-drive-review/

Seeing a factory matte finish BMW raises the eyebrows. Strolling nonchalantly toward it, spotting the V-12 emblem puts a pause in your pace. Then reading the back emblem and seeing “M760i” denoting BMW’s 601hp technological tour-de-force definitely raises both eyebrows. Who knew a 2017 model year V-12, twin turbo sedan was available anywhere for nearly $172,000.

This is a CEO car. It’s for the business owner who, nicely put, gives zero cares about what anyone thinks about his or her 16mpg highway Q-ship. They worked hard, employ many, and get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Or maybe wants something that is extremely modern, smooth and quiet and not care where the charging station may or may not be.

Start-up and driving is like any other car in the basic sense. But extra attention is given to the passengers both front and rear. Like it’s a perfect host or hostess for wheeled travel. Maybe that would be a coastess? The rear passengers share a center tablet and there are display screens behind each front seat. Each passenger can set their own seat adjustments in the rear as well.

BMW’s flagship is a first-class experience matching the turbine-like power plant under the hood. Calling it a motor or engine is just too mundane. Acceleration is swift, it leaps when need be and effortlessly closes gaps in traffic with a slight provocation of the foot. Turn-in can be surprisingly quick when manhandling the steering wheel. With the all-wheel drive, traction is never really an issue despite the V-12s best attempt to smoke the tires. Of course it’s heavy, but BMW’s new Carbon Core technology resulted in a massive 285lb weight reduction from the previous 7-series. Granted, adding four cylinders puts some weight right back, but you don't argue with a V-12. Nuff said.

Of course the suspension has adjustments but even in the comfort setting it couldn’t iron out some of the bumps on a backroad, but they were minimized greatly.  Regardless, the sheer insulation and isolation is instantly apparent. As soon as we turned onto the main road my wife immediately looked at me and said, “This is a really nice car!” With particular emphasis on the “really” part. 

It’s the technology that demands time to get familiar with the car, reading the manual, and spending hours learning it but the payoff is priceless. The gesture control seems to work in front of the steering wheel. Perhaps doing so unintuitively, performing gestures in front of the infotainment screen just made me look inept. But in describing this car, inept is not a word that comes to mind, ever.


Be sure to check out the new performance enthusiast website Fuelcurve.com where this article was first published:  https://fuelcurve.com/2017-bmw-m760li-xdrive-luxury-over-drive-review/





Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sixth generation Camaro V6 review

Chevrolet updated the chassis of the Camaro for 2016 with the new Alpha platform and by all accounts the approximately 250 to 300lb weight reduction was a huge improvement. Despite having a brilliant chassis and three powerful engine choices, the interior and outward visibility hardly improved at all. I wanted to like this car, I really did. It has some really good aspects but overall it’s only good for going in a straight line, not reverse or backing up out of any parking space, on public roads or modified into a track-only car.  You decide if the interior justifies a $29,000 MSRP. The 2017 model is essentially the same. The 335hp V-6 is a great engine, responsive, sounds good and with the quick shifting 8 speed automatic, the car is capable of mid-high 13 second quarter mile ETs. It feels every bit as quick as the numbers suggest. It has no appreciable dead spots and has an excellent pull. The 8 speed auto is finicky on the highway though, downshifting at the slightest provocatio...

Nissan GT-R Review and Test Drive: Part 1 of 2

Click here for Part 2 of 2: Driving the Beast There were quite a few surprises driving the awesome and controversial Nissan GT-R. Having the opportunity to drive one on a twisty mountain road favored by motorcyclists was a thrill. It’s very “mechanical”, quite large and my impression more of a competitor to the Audi R8 than the Porsche 911 Twin Turbo. Background: This 2010 model has about 2000 miles on it. The MSRP was over $80,000. It features a 6-speed dual clutch paddle-shift rear transaxle. The 3.8 liter twin-turbo V-6 produces 485 hp at 6400rpm and 434 ft. lbs of torque at 3200 rpm. Known for consistent deep 3-second 0-60mph blasts and high 11-second quarter mile times, the biggest controversy was the factory reported Nurburgring time of 7:29, beating far lighter, 600 hp plus cars like the Porsche Carrera GT and Pagani Zonda F. The owner has had some notable cars in the past and is no stranger to track days. Cars like a track prepped Acura NSX, two E46 BMW M3s, and an ’04 Porsche ...

The San Francisco Auto Show is rolling at the Moscone Center

The 59 th annual San Francisco Auto show returned this past Saturday, November 19 th through November 27 th at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco. Always a bargain to view over 800 vehicles at $10 for adults and children under 12 free. This year expanded further the emphasis on electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. Test drives are offered with thirty vehicles by six different manufacturers including Mercedes and Fiat. Multiple special guests are scheduled throughout the week such as local sports mascots, the Raiderettes, radio and television personality Gary Radnich and more. The Auto Salon which featured modified cars, trendsetters in an eclectic collection. It is in the south hall on the upper level. The signage needs to be increased, but it’s worth a visit. Yes, there were the broken-axle appearing stanced cars and plenty of lowered sedans, but there are some gems as well. Photography is a bit of a challenge due to the cars being too close together, but it’s a...