Some of the most excellent unbuilt BMWs are under the BMW Group Classics museum. E46 M3 GTR with racing V8, BMW X5 Le Mans with V12, and E31 M8 prototype are examples. A V16-powered E32 7 Series is the collection’s oddest automobile. We wish BMW had made it. In the 1980s, BMW and Mercedes fought to build the most significant V12-powered luxury vehicles. BMW tested a 7 Series with a V16 engine, which German carmakers overengineer. A unique V16 engine sits under the hood. BMW had two fantastic V8 engines that could be joined lengthwise to produce a V16. Instead, it mixed one V12’s last four cylinders with another’s first four. German carmakers continuously find new ways to make things difficult. The seam between the two engines is visible under the hood. Very cool. Its manual gearbox enhances this V16 7 Series. Car nerds love this prototype’s brown-on-brown color scheme, V16 engine, and manual gear. BMW couldn’t fit a radiator or cooling system in the engine bay because of the massive engine. Big air intake apertures on the rear fenders behind the back doors made room for everything. Air exited the car through a large hole between the headlights. The V16 7 Series was called “Goldfish” because one prototype was gold, and the side vents resembled fish gills. Its 408-horsepower V16 engine gave it a top speed of 174 mph (280 km/h). BMW attempted “Goldfish” but failed. Would BMW sell it? BMW should have developed the V16 7 Series, allowing Mercedes and Cadillac to make additional V16-powered automobiles.
