In December last year we tested BMW’s 730d. At the time we said “The BMW 730d is a luxury saloon that serenaded its way into our hearts in 2009 – a position from which it may be difficult to unseat”. So, greeted with the prospect of getting to know the range topping V12-powered 760Li, we were intrigued as to whether its additional accommodation, power and price would make it proportionally better.

At a glance, the most obvious change defining the 760Li BMW is its elongated profile, thanks to the longer rear doors, as well as a redesigned roofline and C-pillar. With a wheelbase extended by 140 mm to 3 210 mm, it’s the longest in its class and the resulting space is to the exclusive benefit of the rear passengers.

Other exterior highlights on the 760Li are subtle, but enough to let passersby know it’s a very special car, especially when wearing the pearlescent Alpine White paintwork of our test car. From the side, there are chrome-plated ‘gills’, with integrated indicator light and ‘V12′ insignia, between the front side panel and front passenger doors, along with 19-inch wheels as standard (20-inch wheels are an available option). From the rear, the range topping 7 has an extra chrome strip spanning the gap between the quad-exhaust tailpipes, which are integrated, flush, into the rear air dam on either side.

It’s the interior, however, where the 760Li excels. BMW use superlatives such as: luxurious; harmony; elegant; exclusive; and stylish, to describe their halo saloon. Yes, the grandest 7 of them all is all of these. The build quality is second to none – although we were puzzled by the centre armrest in the rear that wouldn’t fold away – and the tactile elements only add to the cabin’s top class ambiance.

The 760Li sets itself apart from the moment you open the door with stainless-steel door strips and their illuminated V12 emblem. Burr walnut inlays are set amongst nappa leather finishes that feature meticulous double stitched seams. The roof lining and sun visors are covered in alcantara.

Interior space is generous to say the least and the rear legroom is enough to accommodate the sexiest tallest of super models, while shoulder room is ample for the healthiest of politicians or corporate execs. The rear ‘comfort seats’ are independently adjustable and feature ventilation and heating. To shield rear passengers from the sun, or maybe the paparazzi, electrically operated blinds are fitted to the rear window and passenger side windows. The rear seats in our test car were also fitted with the optional massage function in the backrest, one of the few features not standard on the 760Li.

Packed with a features list as long as the car itself, a few of the features that really stand out are those which you seldom find on other cars. BMW’s Night Vision uses a thermal imaging camera to improve visibility and safety at night. The system also has pedestrian recognition that will alert the driver to a potential accident by analysing the behaviour of the approaching individual. Not exclusive to the 760Li, and not very common in other cars, yet, is the head-up display that conveniently shows speed and navigation information in the driver’s line of sight. Active Cruise Control with Stop/Go function also makes life easier during highway driving. The cruise control system monitors and maintains the following distance between the car in front and, if necessary, will automatically apply the brakes and come to a complete stop. The iDrive infotainment system features a television and each passenger in the rear also has their own 9.2-inch colour monitor through which they can access all multimedia functions via a shared iDrive controller located within the rear armrest. The rear armrest also houses a GSM cordless telephone.

Luxuriously appointed and spec’d then, a 760Li will typically spend most of its working life ferrying presidents, dignitaries and those who enjoy life’s finer things.

It’ll come as no surprise then to hear that the 760Li offers a ride as smooth as the leather its occupants rest on. BMW’s Dynamic Damping Control and Dynamic Drive Control offers excellent comfort and a surprising amount of agility for a 5.21 meter long car that weighs 2.2 tonnes – just watch The Stig. Key ingredients of the big 7′s smooth ride are the self-levelling rear air suspension and the Integral Active Steering that controls adjustment of the steering angle on the rear wheels according to the car’s speed. All but the harshest road imperfections are ironed out and the longer wheelbase is hardly noticeable thanks to the 12.7 meter turning circle, just 0.75 meters more than the new 5 Series, which is 320 mm shorter.

The 760Li’s pièce de résistance is however, its 6,0-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine. Developed as a completely new engine from the ground up, the V12 produces peak power of 400 kW at 5 250 r/min. Just as importantly though is the maximum torque of 750 N.m from just 1 500 r/min. Combined with BMW’s first 8-speed automatic transmission, the V12 offers acceleration to rival the 0 – 100 km/h sprint times of BMW’s M5 and M3 models – 760Li is 4.6 seconds, M5 is 4.7 secs and M3 is 4.8 secs. But, while the 760Li is very rapid at any point within the rev-range, it showcases its talent like an olympic athlete in an Armani suit and as a result, its passengers will never break a sweat.

Unlike the BMW X5 M we tested recently, the 760Li’s V12 is surprisingly frugal, with a claimed combined consumption figure of 13 l/100km. Not that fuel economy would be of concern to the typical 760 buyer, but our real world average of 15.2 l/100km seems good, relative to the car’s performance and weight.

Svelte and sophisticated, the BMW 760Li is a car that delivers opulence reserved for a privileged few and is best enjoyed with a chauffeur at the helm. True grace and pace.

What We Like….

• The power.
• The luxury.
• The refined ride.

What We Would Like…

• A chauffeur as standard.
• A function to automatically and remotely close the boot, the same way in which it can be opened.
• Adjustable side bolsters on the rear seats for more lateral support.