Farewell, V12.
After 35 years, BMW is ending production of V12 engines for its models in June.
It’ll introduce a special version of its BMW M760Li xDrive called The Final V12.
Only 12 examples will be produced, each of which is headed to the US market. BMW is approaching buyers with a long history of V12 7 Series ownership.
BMW Australia says the final V12-powered 7 Series will be delivered locally this year.
The M760Li still appears on the BMW Australia website, though it’s a special-order vehicle.
BMW USA has detailed The Final V12, though it hasn’t published any images beyond a close-up of a badge.
Over the M760Li – or M760i as it’s known in the US, where the regular-length 7 isn’t sold – the special edition features a unique badge, as well as sill plates inscribed with “The Final V12” and a numbered plaque on the console and engine cover.
Pictured: South African-spec M760Li
There are also burnished 20-inch alloy wheels finished in Window Grey or Jet Black behind which sit M Sport brakes finished in either black or blue.
Buyers can specify any of the 80 BMW Individual paint colours for the exterior and any BMW Individual Full Merino upholstery colour for the interior. The cabin also features piano black accents.
Once the customer has taken delivery, they’ll receive a desk trophy commemorating their purchase and listing their choice of paint, leather and the car’s VIN.
Just one fully-equipped configuration will be available. This includes:
- Luxury rear seating package
- Panoramic Sky Lounge roof
- Adaptive LED headlights with Laserlight
- Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system
- Remote control parking
Under the bonnet is a twin-turbocharged 6.6-litre V12 engine producing 448kW of power and 850Nm of torque, mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Despite weighing 2168kg, the V12 hauls the M760Li from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds.
BMW first introduced a V12 engine in 1987.
The naturally-aspirated, single-overhead cam 5.0-litre mill produced 219kW of power and was used in the 750iL flagship sedan. It later featured in the 850i grand tourer.
Subsequent V12 engines have been used in generations of the 7 Series to this day.
BMW also produced a double-overhead cam V12 that was used in the McLaren F1.
Naturally, with Rolls-Royce being part of the BMW Group, the British marque’s V12 engine is related to that under the bonnet of the M760Li.
BMW i7 prototype 
While Rolls-Royce is getting ready to launch its first electric vehicle in 2023 with the Spectre, its 6.75-litre V12 is expected to stick around for a few years yet before it shifts to selling exclusively electric vehicles by 2030.
A new generation of BMW 7 Series is set to be revealed this year.
As part of BMW’s “Power of Choice” strategy, it’ll continue to be available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, though an electric version called the i7 will join the range.
MORE: Everything BMW 7 Series
