To realise the significance of driving a performance orientated BMW 7 series like the M760e on local soil, one needs to understand the illustrious history the brand has with Africa, particularly South Africa. It’s no secret that whatever part of the world you come from, driving a BMW means something. However, in South Africa, that something is more of an obsession – one that consumes local petrolheads to the point of astonishing the powers that be in Germany. This impact is not a recent one either, those in the know would say that South Africa’s love affair with BMW has been more than fifty years in the making, as the brand made the bold decision to select South Africa as the first manufacturing facility outside of Germany to produce BMWs in 1973.
Another way in which the brand stole the hearts of locals was through motorsport. Models such as the 325is, 530MLE and the iconic 745i were all major success stories in various South African race series. Through BMW’s motorsport heritage we again see the unfolding of a uniquely South African story as our country is the only market in the world that made use of a BMW 7 series for motorsport racing.
The BMW 745i is one of a few special editions that were only made for the South African market. While the European version used a turbocharged engine, the South African version used a normally aspirated one which generated more power and had better handling. One wouldn’t think a large luxury limousine would be able to outpace its smaller rivals on the racetrack, let alone win the national Group One championship in 1985. So, it’s safe to say that we know a thing or two about a fast BMW 7 series in this corner of the continent.
Fast forward to 2025 and I find myself cosseted in BMW’s Individual Merino leather finished off in Amarone, a beautiful blend of brown and maroon. As I drive, my back is kneaded by the seat massager that’s on ‘Relax’ mode, this sets up the BMW M760e as a mobile spa. Then there’s the ambient sounds composed by Hans Zimmer playing through the speakers as I waft along the Cape’s Southern Peninsula, right at the southwestern tip of Africa. While this is happening, the vehicle is being lightly showered by Cape Town’s infamous winter rain, adding a dramatic, moody filter to my day.
While I’m not personally a fan of driving in the rain, I don’t mind as much this time because I’m cocooned in more technology and luxury than I know what to do with. For starters, the M760e is incredibly comfortable on the road, despite it riding on 21-inch wheels and low-profile tyres. Road noise? It’s non-existent in this car. In fact, unless you’ve selected ‘Sport’ mode, the only sounds produced by the vehicle are from the artificial drones emitted from the speakers as the vehicle prefers to operate in fully electric mode which is good for 77-85 kms. You see, unlike the fire breathing 745i of the 80s or the M760li which precedes the M760e, this large barge needs to meet strict European emissions laws, while still delivering on the promise of performance it’s become known for.
To meet all these demands, BMW have made this a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, utilising their trusted inline turbocharged six-cylinder engine, as well as battery to drive power to all four wheels. The results are a staggering 420kW of power and 800Nm of torque, allowing you to reach 100km/h in 4.3 seconds. Strangely enough, despite having all that power at my disposal, I don’t feel overly tempted to use it, as the M760e, to me, is less of a driver’s car and more of a technological marvel. It feels like a car made for a modern young CEO that loves gadgets but also likes to know that, should the need arise for one to be in a hurry, they can exercise their right foot confidently.
The M760e is a pleasure to drive, blending the soft life with performance, effortlessly. The steering feels light but still engaging and once you’ve gotten used to its long proportions, you can navigate smaller streets with ease. That is largely due to BMW’s clever rear wheel steering which decreases the turning circle of the car dramatically. As a result, the M760e is far less intimidating to drive than its predecessors, thanks to the technologies BMW has introduced, this marque is more accessible. That may not seem to be the case at the outset; when you peer into the cockpit, the large 14.9-inch infotainment screen paired with the digital driver display look like they would require a degree to operate, but after a few minutes, you quickly get used to the high level of customisation.
As is the case with cars of this calibre, the real excitement lies in the backseat – this is where you really want to be sitting. At my stop in Simon’s Town, I was able to envision myself as a tech millionaire sitting in the ‘Captain’s Chair’. With the right rear seat fully reclined into business class posture, I navigated the rear smartphone-like interface. The pièce de résistance is the BMW Theatre Screen which fills the upper rear section fully with its 31.3-inch size.
The 7 Series comes a long way in our market, from clipping apexes in the 80s, to transporting presidents to date. The M760e offers new age technology with old school performance making it a true luxury icon that keeps refreshing its soft spot in African drivers’ hearts.
The BMW M760e is available for purchase in South Africa at a cost of R3 090 000.
Francisco Nwamba has spent over a decade at the intersection of torque and storytelling. With a sharp pen and an even sharper eye for detail, he’s written for top-tier titles including Top Gear South Africa, traversing the globe to test the world’s most coveted machines on-road, off-road, and occasionally off-script. As the former host of Ignition GT on DStv, he brought horsepower to the small screen, reviewing vehicles and interviewing guests with the charm of a car whisperer in cufflinks. Francisco brings luxury motoring to life with nuance, humour, and a little tyre smoke when necessary.
