When the facelifted 7 Series debuted earlier this year, it had a V8-sized hole in its engine lineup. BMW promised to fill it later in the model’s life cycle, and Munich is now delivering on that promise. Meet the new M760, an M Performance model that brings back the V8 with more power than the 760i it replaces.
There is a catch, though. The new model doesn't resurrect the V12 that made the previous-generation M760i so special. Instead, BMW sticks with a smaller twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, giving its biggest sedan extra punch without reviving the mighty 12-cylinder engine that once sat at the top of the range. If you still want a dozen cylinders under the hood, you’ll have to step up to a Rolls-Royce Ghost.
According to our pals at BMW Blog, the new M760 xDrive makes about 570 horsepower, a healthy bump over the 536 hp the old 760i delivered. Like its predecessor, the new model sends power to all four wheels, with xDrive coming standard. Despite the M badging, it’s not quite an M7, as it falls into the M Performance category.
The Flagship 7 Series Has A New Name, And It's Coming To Europe
As for the name, the “i” is predictably gone. The letter, which historically referenced fuel injection, will continue to be used exclusively for electric cars. The old 760i wasn’t sold in Europe, but its M760 replacement is coming to the continent, suggesting BMW has found a way to make the V8 comply with Euro 7 regulations. This new arrival will be the third M Performance-branded 7 Series, joining the M760e and i7 M70.
Beyond the extra cylinders, the M760 also lets BMW sharpen the 7 Series lineup as rivals continue to offer increasingly powerful luxury sedans. The Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance takes the plug-in hybrid route, while BMW's approach keeps the emphasis on traditional combustion power, leaving electrification to other versions of its flagship. In other words, the 7 Series still offers something for everyone, provided your definition of “something” starts at six figures.
The M760 xDrive won't have much to worry about from the Audi S8. The Four Rings are ending A8 production this year, leaving Ingolstadt's flagship luxury sedan without a direct successor for the foreseeable future. A next-generation model could eventually arrive, but reports suggest it's still several years away.
The Alpina Version Isn't Far Behind
Looking ahead, the M760 isn't the only 7 Series to get a V8 during this generation. In 2027, the newly established BMW Alpina sub-brand will launch an upscale version of the Bavarian full-size luxury sedan. It’ll take on the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, although not entirely, since the latter still offers a V12 in select markets.
Interestingly, the Alpina-badged model will get a specially tuned V8 so that it won’t use the same engine as the M760. Although nothing is official, the engine could be tuned to deliver more low-end torque rather than chase peak horsepower, better suiting Alpina's grand-touring character. BMW isn't listing torque figures for the M760 yet, but the old 760i made 553 pound-feet (750 Newton-meters).
Pricing is another missing piece of the puzzle, but don’t be too surprised if BMW charges more than the $117,395 it asked for the now-discontinued 760i. Once the Alpina equivalent arrives, it’ll surely command a hefty premium over its “plebeian” BMW counterpart. As things stand, the inline-six 740 xDrive is already a six-figure affair, starting at $104,350 before options. A fully loaded Alpina version could cost twice as much. For reference, a Maybach S-Class with the V12 and all the bells and whistles costs around $275,000.
With SUVs dominating sales, it’s refreshing to see BMW still investing in traditional sedans. The 7 Series remains the brand’s flagship, and the arrival of the M760 xDrive shows Munich isn't ready to abandon the three-box luxury car just yet. With regular gasoline and diesel models, plug-in hybrids, the electric i7, and now a V8-powered M Performance version, BMW gives buyers plenty of reasons to stick with a sedan. SUVs might rule the market, but there's still room for a proper luxury barge.
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