Next generation of the BMW 7 Series could not have V12

• Tweet

• Tweet

Mixed feelings are going through our mind regarding this newest of announcements coming from BMW. I should point out it’s coming indirectly, but it’s from a BMW insider.

BMW Australia’s pricing manager, Cristoph Priemel, is saying that the “home office” in Bavaria is rather split on what’s going to power the future generations of the 7 Series.

Whereas most tendencies are towards smaller engines and turbochargers, it’s obvious that the six and four cylinder versions will live on.

Meanwhile, at the lower end of the range, we could see the arrival of the non-glamorous four cylinder. But the place we all hope to be someday might have an issue.

The 6.0 liter twin-turbocharged V12 powerplant usually found in rarefied products like the 760Li might not live through with the new generation.

When the F01 BMW 7 Series does get show the door out, it might actually take the V12 with it, with the 4.4 liter V8 most likely replacing it.

Performance specs are reasonably close, even if the feel can be considerably different among these engines. Owning the 12 cylinder powerplant is more of a status symbol situation than anything else.

That status may be desirable but the considerably larger price between the two has put so many people off that it’s sales are pretty poor with it.

There’s still a fairly good chance that the powerplant won’t be removed and, instead, get a new version. How would a smooth 700 horsepower sound?

It would probably make the new 7 Series simply incredible, as it should be, but there’s also a good chance it will be used as a test bed for a new Rolls Royce Phantom engine.