BMW didn’t announce an M7, but it did come close

BMW makes a wide range of automobiles. Choosing one is sort of like going to a Chinese restaurant — you pick the number you want and then add some sides.

"Give me a Number 2 with a side of M." Ah, excellent choice sir. That's the M2 coupe.

Or perhaps you want a four-door version of a two-door version of a four-door executive sedan. That'll be the Number 6 with a side of Gran Coupe.

But for many years, one particular combination has been unavailable — the Number 7 with a side of M — BMW's performance division, akin to the AMG at Mercedes-Benz. If you want to buy BMW's flagship full-size sedan, complete with a heaping helping of M Performance Juice, sadly, you've been out of luck. BMW itself has said that it wouldn't build an M7.

And yet.

BMW today announced the 2017 BMW M760i xDrive, the first 7 Series car to wear the M badge. Naturally, it's been fitted with a much bigger engine: a 6.6-liter, twin-turbo V12 making 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque (from just 1,500 rpm). That's good enough to propel the massive sedan from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and on to a (governed) top speed of 155 mph.

The announcement follows on the heels of the 2017 BMW B7 Alpina, a special version of the 7 Series that's been tweaked by Alpina, a longtime BMW collaborator. That car, interestingly, is even faster from 0-60.

The car has received the normal set of M accoutrements, including the huge engine, custom tweaks to the all-wheel drive system, the suspension, transmission, driving mode controls, and a special M aerodynamic package. It's all meant to make the car go fast and look good — which is what this car is really for, right?

The 2017 BMW M760i xDrive will hit dealerships early next year — pricing hasn't been announced, but expect it to run well over $100,000.