The BMW M70 is a naturally aspirated, SOHC, V12 petrol engine that was manufactured by BMW from 1987 to 1996. It was the company’s first production V12.
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The final V12-powered BMW has now been constructed.
BMW has completed the final V12-powered vehicle it has ever produced, ending 35 years of manufacture. A 2022 BMW M760i xDrive sedan known as “The Final V12” will be the vehicle to retire the famous engine. According to CarBuzz, just 12 were made, and each one came with every option, a unique set of wheels, and special “V12” badging.
BMW’s decision to stop producing V12 engines was first covered by us in January of this year. The V12 at BMW was discontinued as a result of emissions laws and the desire for greater fuel efficiency. The sixth-generation 7 Series engines will continue to be produced by the Bavarian automaker through 2019. The timescale accelerated in the years that have passed since it was originally scheduled for 2023.
The final model’s 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 produced 600 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. As a result, it took the luxury automobile just 3.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. That is comparable in speed to many supercars from the 2010s.
BMW introduced its V12 engine in 1987 with the M70 V12, which produced 295 horsepower and 332 torques. Later debuting in the 850i and 850Ci premium coupe, it made its debut in the 750i and 750iL. Over the years, it underwent revisions, eventually getting twin-turbos for additional power and efficiency.
BMW produced the V12 for the terrifyingly rapid McLaren F1 in addition to the 7 Series and 8 Series cars. Later, a BMW X5 with a racing version of the engine was modified in a covert skunkworks effort, with humorous results.
Currently, Rolls-Royce vehicles are propelled by 6.75-liter N74 V12s made by BMW and fitted to V12s. The writing is on the wall while production is ongoing. By 2030, Rolls-Royce plans to phase out internal combustion engines, but a smaller engine might take the place of the V12 even sooner.
For those who adore smooth V12 power and German luxury, the Mercedes-Maybach is the final vehicle left.
BMW’s final V12-powered vehicles are on the way, and the M760i heralds the end of an era.
BMW will give 12 people the chance to acquire a unique car before the 12-cylinder engine is permanently phased out of production.
Gran Turismo was the beginning of it all. Sean has always had a fascination with things that move thanks to his early PlayStation days. He worked as a freelancer for Motor Authority, The Car Connection, and Green Car Reports before joining the Roadshow team. Sean has a 2016 Chevrolet SS, and it does have Holden badges, in the garage.
The V12 engine from BMW has reached its breaking point. The M760i Final V12 version, which will be a tribute to the 12-cylinder engine the 7 Series offered for decades, was unveiled by the German automaker on Tuesday. To commemorate the end of the V12’s manufacture, BMW aims to sell 12 of them to consumers in the US, each of which will be customized and include special features.
Each of the 12 vehicles arriving in America will begin its life as an M760i with every feature BMW is capable of fitting in. Those who secure a build slot, however, will be able to send their vehicle to BMW Individual. The division will then work with the new owner to choose from a variety of exterior finishes, upholstery patterns, and trim choices. The M760i logos have been replaced with special “V12” badges, and the Final V12 version features exclusive wheels. Those wheels are 20 inches in diameter and are available in gray or black.
Under the hood, a “Final V12 plaque” to match the door sill plates is added to the twin-turbo 6.6-liter V12 engine, which continues to produce a monstrous 601 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Like all other M760i models, all-wheel drive is standard and there is just one transmission option: an eight-speed automatic. Together, the drivetrain and engine enable the M760i to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.
The last automobiles will be manufactured in June, with deliveries beginning in July. One of just 12 Final V12 models in the US, a distinctive desk ornament commemorating the vehicle is included upon delivery. Don’t forget to bring some big cash. BMW starts at $200,995 after a $995 destination fee.
The Development Of BMW’s Stunning V12
We thought it might be both helpful and interesting to look back on the history of the V12, which first entered the market just over 30 years ago, during the late 1980s. With the end of the horizon potentially in sight for the BMW V12 engine—possibly shortly after the model year 2023—we thought this might be both useful and interesting. The history of the BMW V12 isn’t as interesting as that of the V8 or renowned inline-six, but a lot has evolved since the M70 V12 was first introduced, and V12 engine designs from all over the world continue to be among the most specialized and wanted. The steadfast V8 is also to blame, even though emissions rules from all over the world are a factor in the demise of such a superb engine architecture, at least in terms of availability for vehicles other than supercars.
The limits of the V8 continue to be pushed, with BMW’s own 4.4-liter N63 and S63 units, along with similar four-liter, hot-vee counterparts from AMG and Audi, seeming to reach new output levels with every generation or model year. V12 development, on the other hand, hasn’t made much progress in the past ten to twenty years. On the other hand, BMW’s current direct-injected N74 is likewise getting on in years, having been in production since 2008. Mercedes, on the other hand, has been using the same M279 SOHC twin-turbo, three-valve unit since 2003.
One potential plus is that competitors in the ultra-premium segment like Ferrari and Lamborghini appear to be committed to the V12, at least for the near future. Additionally, Rolls-Royce, a key member of BMW’s upper echelon, is a major reason why the N74 will last longer than the Mercedes V12 and Audi W12.
Genesis: BMW 750i/850CSi with the M70 Engine
The first BMW V12, known internally as the M70, debuted in 1987. In essence, two 2.5-liter M20 straight-six engines had been joined at a 60-degree angle. This engine was well ahead of its time, with an Alusil block, mass-air-flow sensors in place of airflow meters, and chains in place of belts. However, due to its complexity, two engine control units were required (ECU). As a result, the 5.0-liter engine was installed in BMW’s top-of-the-line E32 750i. The S70B56 engine’s initial incarnation put out 295 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, but when a 5.6-liter revision appeared in 1992, it delivered 375 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque in the E31 850CSi. The original 8 Series is unique for a variety of reasons, but this engine contributed to solidifying its position at the top of the Bavarian sports car lineup.
Any V12-powered BMWs exist?
Last of the BMW V12 BMW is producing 12 limited-edition examples of the 2022 M760i xDrive with its twin-turbocharged N74 V12, which was first produced in 2008. The N74 V12 generates 601 horsepower and screams at 6,500 rpm.
Which model BMW 7 Series has a V12?
The second generation of the 7 Series, which was made from 1986 to 1994, is known as the E32. Initial engine options included a straight-six or a V12, the latter of which was a first for Germany in a passenger car since World War II. V8 engines began available in 1992.
Electronic Damper Control, V12 and V8 engines, double glazing, the CAN bus electronic protocol, Xenon headlamps, traction control, and dual-zone climate control were all first seen in a BMW with the E32. The E32 750i was the first vehicle to adhere to BMW’s self-imposed 250 km/h speed limit (155 mph). For the first time, BMW provided a long-wheelbase option with the “iL” vehicles.
What models of BMW have a V12?
- Since 1986, BMW has produced a number of V12 engines under the M70, M73, N73, or N74 names.
- The V12 LM and V12 LMR are a pair of sports car models that are operated by BMW Motorsport.
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Why did BMW discontinue the V12?
After 34 years of use, BMW will turn off its V12 engine in July 2022.
BMW will have to stop producing its largest engine for its whole lineup. The renowned BMW V12 engine will soon be extinct due to the strict emission restrictions, particularly in Europe. This July, the last batch of V12s will be constructed. So, as a toast to the BMW V12 and a stroll down memory lane, we pour one out.
Which BMW V12 is the most recent?
BMW said in January that it would stop producing its long-running V-12 engine and replace it with a very limited number of the M760Li xDrive models. The automaker acknowledged that the last one was merely constructed after the automobile sold out. Folks, a new era has come to an end.
The final V-12-powered BMW 7-Series vehicles have been produced, a BMW representative told CarBuzz on Monday.
According to the manufacturer, the limited-edition 7-Series, simply known as “The Final V12,” was only made available to customers who had previously owned a BMW V-12. The 12 examples are all destined for the United States, and deliveries should be finished this month.
BMW has used V-12 engines for a very long time. Before being featured in the 8-Series coupe two years later, the motor first made an appearance in 1987 under the hood of the 7-Series of the E32 generation. With the 850i, BMW was the first manufacturer to provide a production vehicle with a V-12 and a six-speed manual transmission.
The S70/2, depicted above, is without a doubt the most well-known BMW V-12. The McLaren F1 engine was built with the same architecture as the original V-12 produced by the business, but with new heads, separate throttle bodies, a dry-sump oiling system, and numerous other improvements. This engine was also used in some capacity by the BMW V12 LMR Le Mans racer.
You’ll need to seek to Rolls-Royce moving ahead if you want to purchase a BMW-built V-12. You’ll need to place your order quickly, though, as the manufacturer of ultra-luxury vehicles intends to switch to all-electric propulsion by the end of the decade.
What is powered by a V12?
Following is a list of the manufacturers who added V12 engines to their lineups in Europe:
- Jaguar: From 1971 to 1997, the E-Type, XJS, and XJ were built with the 5.3-6.0 L (323-366 cu in) to 6.0 L (323-366 cu in) Jaguar V12 engine. A 5.3-liter version of the engine was used in the Jaguar E-Type sports car as its maiden application.
- BMW: The BMW M70 SOHC engine, which debuted in the 1987 E32 7 Series luxury vehicle, marked the start of the production of V12 engines. The E31 8 Series also used the same engine. The engine was changed to a DOHC V12 engine in 2003, and from 2008 to the present, the 7 Series has used a turbocharged DOHC V12 engine. Beginning with the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph in 1998, a number of Rolls-Royce cars have also been powered with BMW V12 engines.
- Mercedes-Benz: The Mercedes-Benz M120 engine, a 6.0 L (366 cu in) DOHC engine that debuted in the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 600 SE luxury vehicle, was the company’s first V12 engine. In 1998, a SOHC V12 engine was used to replace this one. From 2003 till the present, a turbocharged SOHC V12 engine has been in production. Since the 2002 release of the Maybach 57 and 62, numerous Maybach models have also had Mercedes-Benz V12 engines.
- Aston Martin: The 5.9 L (362 cu in) DOHC design of the company’s first V12 engine was used in the 1999 Aston Martin DB7 V12 Vantage. In the Vanquish, DB9, DBS V12, Rapide, Virage, and V12 Vantage, variations of this engine were employed. A turbocharged DOHC V12 engine was debuted in the Aston Martin DB11 and has been manufactured since 2016 to replace this one.
- Audi: The Audi 6.0 V12 48v TDI engine, the first V12 diesel engine to be utilized in a production car, powered the Q7 SUV from 2008 to 2012.
Since the 1940s, no mass-produced V12 engines have been produced in the US; instead, huge displacement V8 engines are the preferred choice among American manufacturers.
V12 engines are extremely rare because Japanese manufacturers rarely create large-displacement engines. The only Japanese V12 engine is the 5.0 L (305 cu in) DOHC Toyota GZ engine, which was utilized in the Toyota Century limousine from 1997 to 2016.
The 2009 Hongqi HQE limousine, which has a 6.0 L (366 cu in) DOHC V12 engine, is the only V12-powered vehicle made in China.
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