Is A BMW M750i In The Cards?
Is BMW about to expand its M Division offerings to include the full-size BMW 7 Series? According to a report by BimmerToday, the possibility exists that, instead of going whole-hog and producing an M7, BMW might go down the road that it has taken with its diesel vehicles and build an M750i.
The BMW X5 M50d, for example is a turbodiesel SUV available in Europe that makes use of a trio of turbochargers to produce 376 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque, figures which are unique to the M Performance stable. M Performance vehicles like the X5 M50d walk the line between track and street and offering power and handling upgrades that check in just below true M models like the BMW M3 and the BMW M5. They are aimed at those who want the look and prestige that goes with owning a vehicle bearing the BMW M badge, but who don't want or need to spend the money required to step into an exclusive track-ready model.
Cost is not the issue, obviously, when it comes to the question of building a BMW M7, but the clientele who typically purchase the 7 Series are not necessarily looking to take their sedans to the track. In fact, a fair number of BMW 7 Series owners are actually driven by chauffeurs rather than drive themselves, a fact which gives a fair indication as to why BMW has thus far limited its high performance 7 Series line-up to the hairy-chested Alpina B7. The B7 is the product of a German tuning firm and not the BMW factory itself.
Still, if there are enough potential buyers out there in 7 Series land who would like to at least make it seem like they indulge in performance driving from time to time from behind the wheel of their Teutonic land yacht, then BMW could be willing to build them an M750i producing in the neighbourhood of 450 horses. BimmerToday claims it will be at least until March, 2013 before any such vehicle would become available.
