BMW took nearly everybody unexpectedly at this 12 months’s Techno-Classica Essen. It introduced a never-before-seen 1990 prototype of a supersized 7 Series. The additional-long sedan was the second “Goldfish” prototype with a V16 engine, constructed two years after the unique. This walkaround video takes us on a tour of the charming luxobarge.

It was a lot greater than the E32 offered again then because the newer Goldfish stretched at 5450 millimeters (214.5 inches) lengthy. You’ll be able to inform by the ample legroom obtainable for rear passengers who had been in a position to stretch out through the use of adjustable footrests. This prototype additionally had an early rear-seat leisure system between the seats. There was even a tiny display screen mounted on the Alcantara-wrapped ceiling. We’ll name it the Theatre Display from 1990.

Activate the English subtitles within the video under.

There’s leather-based and wooden nearly in every single place inside the luxury cabin. BMW went by way of the difficulty of becoming this 7 Collection prototype with soft-close doorways. That was nearly unparalleled again in 1990. The explanation why this automotive was so luxurious was as a result of the German model was pondering of a brand new flagship. The intent was to create a much bigger and fancier sedan positioned above the 7er. Nevertheless, it didn’t occur.

The spotlight was, after all, its engine. The 6.6-liter V16 made 348 hp and labored with a five-speed computerized transmission. Some would argue that was a downgrade over the 1988 Goldfish prototype. The earlier automotive had 402 hp, routed to the street by way of a six-speed guide. Its successor was additionally slower, at 155 mph (250 km/h) vs 174 mph (280 km/h).

The automotive’s styling was a mixture between the E32 and the next E38 launched 4 years after this prototype was constructed. Each the aluminum-bodied 1990 Goldfish and the 1994 7 Collection had been penned by Boyke Boyer. Enjoyable reality – the second Goldfish wasn’t truly constructed by BMW, however quite by an unspecified Italian firm.

Very like BMW, Rolls-Royce additionally constructed a few one-offs with a V16 by cramming it contained in the 100 EX and the 101 EX from the 2000s. In the end, a V16 automotive from the BMW Group by no means made it to manufacturing.

Supply: Alte Schule – die goldene Ära des Automobils / YouTube