The 760Li, which shares its basic engine technology with the soon-to-materialise Rolls-Royce Ghost, provides one of the more luxurious and quickest ways to complete any road journey. The first of those can start as the owner drives it from BMW Welt on the route out of Munich and on to an autobahn of their choice for a long, loping, relaxed trip home.
At least they can if they don't plan to take it back to the UK. Unlike Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Audi, BMW – mainly for reasons of registration – does not at present offer this factory take-away service for buyers living in Britain.
It's a pity, because the collection ceremony is a memorable event. I hummed a little of Wagner's Götterdämmerung to myself as a virginal white 760Li pirouetted on the turntable. Then it was into the car, a hushed drive to the automatic doors of BMW Welt and we purred off, appropriately to join Munich's ring-road, before reaching speedo needle-bending velocity on a ribbon of Bavarian autobahn as the two turbochargers force-fed 12 hungry cylinders. And it was all done with a discreet under-bonnet murmur and near silence in the cruise.
The 760Li's all-new alloy engine will form the basis of the unit for the Ghost, which is due to be seen at the Frankfurt motor show in September. For the seemly Rolls, the engine displaces 6.6 litres and there is emphasis on low-end torque rather than maximum power output.
Although BMW has to get by on a paltry 6.0 litres, peak power is rated at 537bhp at 5,250rpm with 553lb ft of torque from only 1,500rpm, giving a 0-62mph time of only 4.6 seconds… and this car weighs 2.1 tons. So if you happen to be in competitive mood, it's probably best not to mess with the 760 since you are more than likely to see only its twin quadrilateral tailpipes moving away with alacrity.
Helping it all happen is a new ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, a real cognoscente of how to shift for itself without anyone noticing. The combination of engine and transmission is thoroughly convincing and helps towards a combined fuel consumption of 21.7mpg.
"Everything that BMW stands for can be found in this luxury car," said Wolfgang Stadler, managing director of the Dingolfing plant where it is built. And it probably can, including surprisingly good handling considering the car's weight and size (its wheelbase is 5.5in longer than that of a regular 7-series and overall length is 16ft 8in). Dynamic Damping with manual selection gives a choice of comfort, normal or sportyish road reactions and the big saloon felt relatively compact on winding German rural roads. Wheels are 19 inches in diameter. An M Sport version is available at £96,590.
The long-wheelbase 760Li (BMW is not bringing the regular 760i to the UK), has a very high specification with just about everything that makes a premium car, including Nappa leather upholstery that also covers the instrument panel, Alcantara headlining, burr walnut trim – and lots of technology. The optional head-up display is particularly impressive.
But it is really the drivetrain that makes the 760Li what it is. The mellifluous, almost vibration-free engine and the quick-shifting, very smooth and efficient gearbox suit the car perfectly.
Is this a poor man's Rolls-Royce Ghost? At more than £94,000 it is hardly in the bargain basement but it is about £100,000 less than the Ghost will cost.
And if you could collect it from BMW Welt, Munich, it would provide a pleasant city break – and save the normal UK £655 delivery charge. A soothing thought as you snuggle down beneath the BMW-branded duvet.
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