BMW 7 Series V12 - Geneva International Motor Show

BMW Series 7 V12

At the GIMS 1987, BMW unveiled the BMW 750i, the first German 12-cylinder luxury model in half a century and which also set new standards in the typical German «Überlimousines» segment.

The BMW V12 was the result of 15 years of testing and development. With a displacement of 5 litres in its first version (M70), it delivered the power – impressive at that time – of 300 PS. BMW claimed that this engine «combined unlimited power with silky-smooth running». The BMW 750i also introduced the Electronic Damper Control, which proposed 3 damping settings.

BMW Series 7 V12

This V12 is also the basis for the development of the S70 and S70/2 variants, which were used in competition and under the bonnet of the legendary McLaren F1 respectively.The V12 BMW 750i, 750iL then 760Li remained in the catalogue until 2022, still being successful. Up to one in six 7 Series sold was equipped with a V12.

During its career, the BMW 750i inspired its compatriots to equip themselves with a V12; Mercedes-Benz with the S-Class 600 as early as 1991 and the Volkswagen Group in 2001 with the Audi A8 W12 and the VW Phaeton W12 in 2002.

BMW Series 7 V12

Nowadays, it is no longer reasonable to offer such engines on a large scale. However, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are leading the way among luxury segment by offering their EV-limousines i7 and EQS alongside hybrid engines on their new 7 Series and S-Class to deliver similar performance. To «unlimited power and silky-smooth running», the 21st century adds efficiency.

Other iconic cars

Fiat 8V

At the GIMS 1952, Fiat presented the Fiat 8V. At the end of the WW2, Fiat had many projects, including the creation of an American-style V8 saloon for the US market. Dante Giacosa, the famous in-house engineer, although not very favourable to the project, began the development of an innovative 70° V8 engine.

Lamborghini Marzal

Lamborghini Marzal

At the GIMS 1967, Lamborghini presented the Marzal. The Marzal concept is the result of the ambition and vision of three men: Ferruccio Lamborghini, Nuccio Bertone and Marcello Gandini. The first, in his eternal battle with Enzo Ferrari, wanted to impress the world and sketched out the idea of a 4-seater Lamborghini.

Renault 5

Renault 5

At the GIMS 1972, Renault presented the Renault 5. More than a simple small-scale car for all, the «R5» was aiming to be every person’s car. The Renault 5 was manufactured over a decade between 1972 to 1985, with more than 5,5 million produced and sold across five continents.

Volvo VESC

Volvo VESC

At the GIMS 1972, Volvo unveiled the concept car VESC (Volvo Experimental Safety Car). From a design viewpoint, the VESC hinted at the design language of the forthcoming Volvo 240, launched in 1974 and later became Volvo’s longest-lasting model ever (19 years, ca. 2.9 million cars produced).

Matra-Simca Rancho

Matra-Simca Rancho

At the GIMS 1977, Matra-Simca presented the Rancho. Rancho is the brainchild of a genius engineer, Philippe Guédon, and a visionary businessman, Jean-Luc Lagardère both working for Matra. In the mid-1970s, the demand emerged for a "green", simple and affordable leisure vehicle, capable of venturing onto roads that were more or less passable.

Porsche 928

Porsche 928

At the GIMS 1977, Porsche presented the Porsche 928. In the wake of the 1970s oil crisis, Porsche was considering adding a more fuel-efficient luxury touring car to the line-up. They also considered that the 911, the then-current flagship model, was reaching the limits of its potential...

Bentley Mulsanne Turbo

Bentley Mulsanne Turbo

At the GIMS 1982, Bentley presented the Mulsanne Turbo. Since the mid-50s, Bentley and its parent company Rolls-Royce mainly practiced «badge engineering», marketing identical models under different brands. Bentleys were Rolls-Royces models with a Bentley grille and logos.

Alfa Romeo 155

Alfa Romeo 155

At the GIMS 1992, Alfa Romeo presented the Alfa 155. The 155 was a transitional model for Alfa Romeo, which definitively abandoned the transaxle architecture introduced in 1972 with the Alfetta, and on which the Giulietta Nuova, the 90, the 75 and the SZ were based.

Ford Puma

Ford Puma

At the GIMS 1997, Ford presented the Ford Puma. In the mid-1990s, Opel launched the Tigra, a small sporty coupe in the B-segment, based on the Corsa. Except for the Honda CRX since 1983, the segment didn’t exist. It was not until 1997 that the competition started to show up, led by Ford with its Puma based on the Fiesta (Mk IV) platform.

Mercedes-Benz Class A

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

At the GIMS 1997, Mercedes-Benz presented the A-Class. The A-Class has its roots in the "NAFA" concept, nicknamed "Vesperwägele" in 1986, the first small car prototype by Mercedes-Benz, followed in 1993 by the "Studie-A" concept, which prefigured the A-Class.

Audi RS6

Audi RS6

At the GIMS 2002, Audi presented the Audi RS6. After the success of the RS4 (B5) launched in 1999, Audi and its subsidiary Quattro Gmbh – which has since become Audi Sport – tackled the upper segment by offering a high-performance version of the A6 (C5).

Ferrari 575M Maranello

Ferrari 575M Maranello

At the GIMS 2002, Ferrari presented the 575M Maranello. The Ferrari 575M Maranello follows on from the 550 Maranello, which marked the return of the front-engined V12 2-seater GTs after 23 years of the "Berlinetta Boxer" layout (365 GT4 BB, 512 BB, Testarossa, 512TR and F512M).

VW Volkswagen Phaeton

Volkswagen Phaeton

At the GIMS 2002, Volkswagen presented the Phaeton. One man’s vision, it had to be the best car ever made. In response to the downscaling of Mercedes-Benz (A Class) and BMW (1 Series) in the late 1990s, Ferdinand Piëch ordered VW to compete with them at the top of the range.

Hyundai i-oniq Concept

Hyundai i-oniq Concept

At the GIMS 2012, Hyundai presented the i-oniq Concept. At that time, battery capacity and charging technologies were still limited, so the appeal of electrified and EV vehicles was also limited.

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