BMW M7 on Its Way, Sort of, as M770i XDrive
This year has been littered with rumors of a BMW M7 model, from speculation to trademark filings, but it appears that the German automaker will find a different approach to feed the hunger of performance-seeking luxury sedan enthusiasts.
For many years, the 7-Series has been kept away from the M lineup due to its position in the market as a luxury sedan and not so much as a performance vehicle. But Americans in general love more performance in any vehicle they drive, so a M770i xDrive may be the solution to all of our problems.
It’s speculated that the model will join BMW’s revamped 7-Series lineup in 2015 and will be powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 475-hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. While that sounds fairly impressive, let’s keep in mind that the current 760Li is powered by a V12 with 570-hp and 665 lb-ft of torque. So why the discrepancy in a model that will be an M Performance one? Well, the M770i will be a much more agile machine than the current 760Li thanks to significant weight savings.
So holding true to the M moniker, the M770i will be around 450 lbs lighter than its standard model counterparts thanks to the abundant use of carbon fiber on its roof, trunk, and hood. Combine that with lightweight seats, carbon-ceramic brakes, thin-wall exhaust, and lightweight 20-inch wheels.
It’s not exactly the M7 model everyone desires, but it’s at least an M model of some form for the 7-Series. If anything though, it’ll just increase the clamoring for a high-horsepower M7 from American enthusiasts, which could be a good thing for the German automaker.
[Source: Automobile Mag]
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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