What's happening?

The Geneva Motor Show. Doors open to the media on 1st March and those that make a beeline for the BMW stand will find the new M760Li xDrive saloon, the range-topping 7 Series to date.

Is this effectively an M7?

Effectively, as we don't believe BMW will develop a full-on M car off the 7 Series underpinnings. This is classed as an M Performance Vehicle, but is still set to challenge the higher performing luxury models from Mercedes-AMG, quattro GmbH and Jaguar.

So what's under the bonnet?

A twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine no less, with a swept capacity of 6.6 litres. BMW quotes peak outputs of 600hp at 5,500rpm and 800Nm at 1,500rpm. Thanks to the xDrive all-wheel drive traction, and the quick-thinking eight-speed automatic transmission, the M760Li can hit 62mph from rest in a claimed 3.9 seconds, on the way to a limited top speed of 155mph - or 189mph if you opt for the M Driver's Package.

Lovely, but why the V12?

Well-spotted. BMW could easily have achieved such performance from its twin-turbocharged V8 engine, but, put simply, customers in certain well-heeled markets place a lot of importance on having a twelve-cylinder engine under the bonnet. It's a status thing as much as it is an appreciation of the smoothness and engineering. There's even an M sports exhaust so the V12 can be heard sing.

We're still talking about a luxury saloon, right?

Indeed we are. BMW is at great pains to point out that the Executive Drive Pro suspension system allows the M760Li a dual-personality, depending on preferences, allowing lots of luxury and yet dynamic driving characteristics when required. Active roll stabilisation and rear-wheel steering help with all that.

Isn't it, well, a bit gauche?

Some will certainly think so, which is why BMW allows buyers to choose between the regular version and another, rather more subtle looking alternative, called the M760Li xDrive V12 Excellence. Saying all that, we have no doubt that the high-end tuning fraternity are already looking at ways to make this new car even more attention grabbing.