谍照记者最近在瑞典首次拍到了或许是宝马M7的测试照片。这辆7系顶级款定位在最近发布的M760Li xDrive之上。虽然后者搭载了一台610马力6.6升V12引擎，但M7或许将搭载升级版的4.4升V8双涡轮增压引擎并只搭配xDrive全驱系统。这台引擎在M5“30 Jahre M5”特别版上的功率为600马力，因此M部门工程师为了使该车能与奔驰S63竞争，将对引擎进一步优化，“压榨”出更多功率。如果仍坚持使用V12引擎，则该车竞争车身升级为奔驰-AMG S65。退一万步说，即便该车不是M7，从前轮刹车盘尺寸判断，这也是一辆宝马M高性能车型。该车还配备了四排气尾管，19英寸轮圈，车尾行李箱连接尾灯组的镀铬横杠上印有“BMW Individual”字样。据记者透露，这两辆原型车与M5和两辆X6 M共同测试，因此可以预见该车动力更强劲。作为早期测试车，该车不会很快发布，或许将作为2018款车型在明年发布。不排除该车是宝马为纪念品牌成立100周年发布的一款特别版车型。据传宝马将于今年秋季发布一款7系Centennial Edition，但那款车主要突出豪华性，而这辆车主要以追求性能为目的，并不是为了取悦后排乘客。
Possible BMW M7 test mule spied for the first time
Spy photos originating from Sweden show what could possibly be an early test mule of the BMW M7.
The crown jewel of the 7 Series range slated to be positioned above the recently introduced M760Li xDrive. While the latter has a 610-hp 6.6-liter V12 engine, chances are the possible M7 will use an upgraded iteration of the biturbo 4.4-liter V8 linked exclusively to an xDrive all-wheel drive system. The engine delivers 600 hp in the M5 “30 Jahre M5” special edition, so M’s engineers will probably optimize it further and squeeze extra horsepower to make worthy of an S63-fighting M7. If it will stick to the larger V12, it will go up against Mercedes-AMG's S65.
Even if it’s not an M7, the new model planned by BMW / BMW M is certainly a performance version judging by the size of the front brakes. The car also had quad exhaust tips, 19-inch wheels, and carried “BMW Individual” lettering at the back on the chrome bar interconnecting the taillights. Our spies tell us they saw these two vehicles testing together with an M5 and two X6 Ms, so clearly this is something with a lot of punch.
Being an early test mule, don’t expect this new derivative to come out in the foreseeable future, so most likely the model will be launched next year as a 2018MY. We are not excluding the possibility this is one of those special models planned by BMW to celebrate its centenary this year. There are rumors of a 7 Series Centennial Edition due this fall, but that one will focus on luxury whereas these cars hint at something exciting for the driver, not for the rear passengers.