BMW M7 1987 E32 Goldfish – The Forbidden Super Sedan

Overview

The BMW M7 E32 Goldfish is one of the most fascinating concept cars in BMW history. Built in 1987 as a one-off prototype, it was based on the E32 7 Series platform but took performance to a level no luxury sedan of its time dared. Nicknamed “Goldfish” because of its unusual design with side vents and a massive V16 engine, this car showed the world what BMW engineers could create when limits were removed.

Design Engines

Under the hood sat a 6.7-liter V16 engine, derived from BMW’s existing V12 architecture. This experimental powerplant delivered around 408 horsepower and mountains of torque. To keep temperatures under control, BMW added large cooling ducts behind the rear windows, which gave the car its unique “gill-like” appearance.

Specification

Engine: 6.7L V16 (Sondermotor)

Power: 408 hp

Torque: ~460 lb-ft

Transmission: 6-speed manual

0–60 mph: Approx. 6.0 seconds

Top speed: 175 mph (estimated)

Interior

Inside, the BMW M7 Goldfish retained the E32 7 Series luxury DNA with leather seating, premium trim, and executive comfort. Despite its experimental nature, BMW didn’t strip away refinement. The cabin balanced performance with business-class comfort, making it a true high-performance limousine.

Fuel Economy

The massive V16 engine was thirsty. Reports suggest fuel economy hovered around 8–10 mpg, making it impractical for everyday use. Efficiency was sacrificed for the sake of power and engineering experimentation.

Special Features

Rare V16 prototype engine

Unique rear-mounted cooling system

One-off build – never sold to the public

A blend of luxury sedan and supercar performance

Why This Car Is Banned

The BMW M7 Goldfish was never road legal. Its extreme engine size and emissions made it fail the regulations of the late 1980s. BMW also feared the car would overshadow its production models and disrupt the luxury market. For these reasons, the Goldfish remained a secret prototype and is now locked away in BMW’s collection.