BMW is a brand known for the speed, comfort, and luxury it allows its drivers to travel with. And although many car brands offer some amount of luxury, not all of them offer V12 engines.
BMW produces the V12 engines M70, M73, N73 and N74, which are used in the production of Rolls-Royce and BMW race cars. Standard BMWs equipped with a V12 are the E38 7 Series and the E31 8 Series, as well as the G11/G12 BMW 7 Series.
Where is the M70 BMW V12 Engine used?
The only road car you can purchase, equipped with the M70 V12 engine is the 2000 BMW X5 Le Mans, which costs around $800,000. Aside from that, other race cars equipped with the engine are the BMW V12 LMR racing car and the BMW V12 LM racing car.
The M70 engine is used in pre-production BMW race cars. It comes in four versions: 5 L, 5.5 L, and two 6 L options, with a different redline of relatively 7,500 and 8,000 RPM.
M70 V12 Engine Specs:
All M70 engines feature four valves per cylinder. The displacement of the engine ranges from 4,988cc to 6,064cc. The maximum power output is 618 hp, which gives a maximum torque rating of 494 lb-ft.
What is specific about this engine is that it uses a timing chain instead of a timing belt. The engine runs on gasoline.
Where is the M73 BMW V12 Engine used?
The M73 BMW V12 Engine is primarily used for the production of Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph, The 7 Series BMW E31, and the 8 Series BMW E38. The models that use the engine were produced between 1994 and 1998 for the E38, and from 1994 to 1999 for the E31.
A second variation of the engine, M73TUB54, was later used between 1998 and 2001 for the BMW 750i and it was implemented in the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph in 1999.
M73 V12 Engine Specs
The M73 engine features two versions with a displacement of 5,379 cc (5.4 L) and produces a power output of 322 hp. The maximum torque for this engine is 361lb-ft. It has 24 valves with two valves per cylinder, which is very different from most engines that are usually equipped with four valves per cylinder.
The M73 engine is a power plant designed for large BMW gran tourers and Rolls-Royce cars. This engine was first introduced in 1993 and it runs on gasoline.
Which cars are equipped with an N73 BMW V12?
The N73 V12 engine was the first-ever V12 engine in the world to take advantage of direct gasoline injection. The production started in early 2003 and lasted until 2016.
It is used for the BMW 7 Series and the Rolls Royce Phantom. The power output of this engine ranges from 439 hp to 453 hp, with torque up to 443 to 531 lb-ft.
Where is the N74 engine used?
The N74 comes with a twelve-cylinder configuration, which has 24 valves. This design gives it an advantage over its competitors from Audi and Mercedes-Benz because of its higher power output. The BMW M760Li uses this type of engine as well. It produces 602 horsepower and a torque of 590 lb-ft.
It is used in Rolls-Royce Ghost, Rolls-Royce Ghost V-Specification, Rolls-Royce Wraith and Rolls-Royce Dawn. In BMW vehicles, the engine is used only in the BMW G12 M760Li xDrive.
The N74B68 version of the engine is used in the Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII, Cullinan and Ghost.
BMW 760Li: 7 Series with a V12 Engine
The BMW 760Li features a V12 engine that produces significantly more power than the previous model and includes an improved suspension system for better ride quality.
The BMW 760Li also benefits from improved fuel efficiency and reduced CO emissions thanks to its Double-VANOS variable valve timing technology. It is available in all-wheel-drive configurations (xDrive) as well as rear-drive versions.
Engine
With a 0 to 62 miles per hour time in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 189 miles per hour, the BMW 760Li is much more than just a luxury sedan. With an insane 601 horsepower and a twin-turbo V12, this car is very powerful, but still gives a natural feel on the road that most hybrid cars lack.
Interior
The biggest advantage of the BMW 7 Series over its competitors in terms of the interior is the slightly larger trunk, otherwise, compared with competitor cars in the same segment like an S Class Mercedes-Benz, the interior of the BMW is slightly less luxurious and has a more standard feel.
Features
The 7 Series is furnished with high-end real leather and features an advanced infotainment system, iDrive, which can be used with a touchscreen or a console. Of course, you are also getting the full package, and a driver-assistance system with blind-spot detection, as well as a highway cruise control, featuring self-steering.
In terms of safety, the BMW 7 Series passed the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) tests with good ratings. The safety systems of the vehicle feature:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure warning as well as a lane-keep assist
- Automated Low-speed emergency braking
- Pedestrian detection
FAQ
Are V12 engines faster than V8 engines on a BMW?
Typically, for most car designs, transmissions, coupes and suspensions a V12 engine would produce more power due to a higher burning capacity. But with BMWs, the fastest road BMW produced is equipped with a V8 engine. It is the BMW M5 and M8 Competition, which both have an S63 V8 engine under the hood.
Which is the cheapest second-hand BMW with a V12 you can purchase today?
The cheapest second-hand BMW you can purchase today that is equipped with a powerful V12 engine is the BMW 1992 850i, a well as the 1997 BMW 750iL. Both of these models can be found for less than $10,000 used. Other good models are the BMW 2003 760Li, and the BMW 850Ci, which has quite an aesthetic design.