BMW 760Li price to top Ghost

BMW Australia has put a $386,000 pricetag on the new 760Li flagship that will top the local 7 Series limousine range here before Christmas.

Available exclusively in long-wheelbase configuration and powered by BMW’s new all-alloy twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre petrol V12, the 400kW/750Nm 760Li is likely to be even more expensive than Rolls-Royce’s all-new 2010 Ghost, which shares many of its components.

The 760Li, which is now available to order, will replace the M6 Convertible ($313,316) as BMW’s most expensive model in Australia, and is priced $94,800 higher than that of the current 7 Series flagship, the 750Li ($291,200).

For the money, the 760Li, which sprints to 100km/h in a claimed 4.6 seconds, will debut the same new ZF eight-speed automatic transmission that will be fitted to the Ghost and feature an extensive no-cost options list on top of its increased level of standard equipment.

In addition to the 750Li equipment list, the standard specification for what BMW says will be the most comprehensively equipped 7 Series ever sold in Australia will include 20-inch double-spoke alloy wheels and Integral Active Steering, which can turn the rear wheels up to three degrees for increased manoeuvrability at lower speeds and increased stability at higher speeds.

Apart from its exclusive engine and transmission combination, the 760Li is also differentiated by active front seats, a leather-finished instrument panel, ceramic surround for the controls, fine-wood inlay leather steering wheel, a massage function in the rear-seat backrest, BMW Individual rear-seat reading lights, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Active Cruise Control with idle-stop function, Alcantara headlining and BMW Individual full ‘Merino’ leather trim (in Platinum, Amaro Brown, Champagne, Silk Grey, Graphite or Cohiba Brown).

The no-cost options list comprises a sports leather steering wheel, 19-inch or 20-inch BMW Individual alloy wheels, the M Sport Package, a selection of interior trims and BMW Individual paint colours including Brilliant White metallic, Ontario Gold metallic, Azurite Black metallic, Citrin Black metallic, Ruby Black metallic and Moonstone metallic.

The 760Li also comes standard with features found on other 7 Series variants such as BMW Night Vision with pedestrian detection, a Professional rear-seat entertainment system, side-view camera, heated and ventilated electrically adjustable rear seats, sunblinds for the rear and rear side windows, Dynamic Drive and a 600-Watt 16-speaker Professional HiFi sound system Professional with Dirac Live technology.

BMW says rear passengers in the 760Li will be better entertained than in any other vehicle in this class, via the standard fitment of two 9.2-inch screens – compared to two eight-inch screens in the Mercedes-Benz S-class, two seven-inch screens in the Audi A8 and just one nine-inch screen in the Lexus LS.

The 760Li will join the new 7 Series sedan range launched here earlier this year, which includes the 730d ($198,800), 740i ($203,000), 740Li ($218,000), 750i ($274,200) and 750Li.

With 190 examples sold so far in 2009 – a 70 per cent increase on 2008 numbers – the 7 Series accounts for a dominant 40 per cent share of the $200,000 luxury car segment.

The TwinPower Turbo and brake energy regeneration-equipped returns average EU5 fuel consumption of 13.0L/100km (a 4.4 per cent reduction on the model it replaces) and average CO2 emissions of 303g/km – eight per cent down.

“The combination of twelve cylinders and the new eight-speed automatic transmission ensures a maximum of sophistication, refinement and exclusivity in the luxury segment,” said BMW Group Australia managing director Stavros Yallouridis.

“The 760Li is the most comprehensively equipped BMW ever offered in Australia. In addition, our no-cost option program will ensure the car is perfectly tailored to the exacting requirements of our V12 customers.”