BMW enthusiasts will seriously create a twin-turbo hybrid V12 6×6 pickup instead of opting for an F-150.

      Brian Lutton

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      What do you do if you require a truck but have a passion for ’90s BMWs? You create one from an E38-generation BMW 7 Series, of course. That’s exactly what Brian Lutton from Florida did when he transformed an old 750i into a ute—but that wasn’t enough for him. He needed substantial towing capability, so he is constructing another one, this time featuring a fully operational 6×6 setup powered by a hybrid twin-turbo V12 engine.

      Lutton discussed the build with The Drive; although he resides in Florida, he attended college in Michigan and needed something to transport project cars. He modified an E38 7 Series from the B-pillar back, adding a pickup bed, which resulted in his BMW ute. It was equipped with a stock BMW engine, a stock five-speed automatic transmission, and was originally rear-wheel drive. The “only” modifications made were chassis reinforcement for towing, air suspension, and a transmission cooler. The engine, with 270,000 miles, was still capable of towing another 7 Series on a trailer. According to Lutton, it towed comparably to a half-ton pickup.

      However, it couldn’t manage towing two cars simultaneously, so he needed to develop a more extreme towing vehicle while keeping a similar formula to his first 7 Series ute. He purchased another clean 7 Series as the project's foundation, removed its trunk, and then severed the bed from the first ute, which also included its rear axle. He welded these components together, creating a four-door luxury sedan with dual rear axles. This was an intricate process, but it was merely the start of this mad scientist’s creation.

      The fun began once everything was welded together. Under the hood lies a BMW M73 5.4-liter V12 to which he added two turbochargers. He discarded the stock five-speed ZF automatic in favor of an eight-speed ZF automatic and xDrive system from a 2018 BMW X5 diesel, converting it to four-wheel drive. The front subframe and differential are from a 2003 BMW X5, but modified for compatibility. The rear differential is a limited-slip unit sourced from an E60-generation BMW M5, mounted to a stock E38 subframe.

      The build is currently a 4×6 7 Series pickup, as the last axle is not powered yet. However, that will change soon. Lutton has already installed the final axle with a rear electric motor from a Tesla Model 3 and is working on incorporating a BMW i3 battery pack to power it. A CANTCU controller manages the transmission and rear differential, and Lutton has a rotary dial that adjusts the all-wheel drive system’s lockup from zero to 100%. Under typical conditions, the Tesla motor operates with whichever gear the transmission is in, so if it’s in drive or reverse, the electric motor will function as well. Lutton also mentioned that the electric motor can be placed in park, reverse, neutral, or drive independently of the transmission, allowing the car to operate purely as an electric vehicle. Allegedly, he can enable a regenerative mode for the motor, allowing it to provide drag while in 4×6 mode, thus recharging the battery. Regenerative braking is expected to lessen the braking load on the discs while towing a trailer.

      According to Lutton, the project isn’t complete; significant battery and motor calibration is still required, along with bodywork. It currently looks quite rough, but that is anticipated considering the project’s ambitious nature. Still, it is mostly operational, and Lutton already possesses one of the most intriguing and remarkable project cars seen in a long time. Once finished, it will likely be safe to claim that he has the only V12, hybrid, four-door, 6×6, BMW-inspired ute globally.

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