Posted on Tuesday 19 June 2007
Due for introduction late next year, BMW’s 2009 model-year 7-series saloon has been spotted once again undergoing testing at Germany’s Nurburgring. More of an evolution of the current model rather than a complete redesign, the new 7 should feature a smoother more muscular look. Don’t be fooled by the bulky camo or the fake Bangle-butt boot lid, the next 7 will adopt styling influences from the smaller 3-series.
Most of the changes are taking place beneath the new sheet-metal. Noticeable changes will be a longer wheelbase and wider track, with a possible hybrid variant and more diesel versions including a possible twin-turbo V8 oil burner. Other new features will be an updated iDrive system and ZF’s new eight-speed automatic gearbox, as well as a host of new safety technology including camera and radar systems.
These latest shots, sourced from AutoGespot, reveal that we’re unlikely to see major styling influences from the Concept CS. Those lines will be reserved for an all new flagship four-door coupe that has been confirmed for production after 2010.
Why they have to have such an ugly rear end baffles me.
To me those are the pinnacle of what a luzury sedan can be, and yet the akward styling would send my money elsewhere.
Word on the street is the rear-end of this test mule is simply camo. The actual 7-series is expected to have a more normal rear this time.
People dont influence their decisions on buying a car over the rear styling. If people were that retarded, they wouldnt buy the S-Class, the Phantom, the Maybach, or the CLS-class. Use your monopoly money to buy a Phaeton, or an A8.
i actually like the styling of the 7 series, totally different from all the other bland offerings in that segment
The three things the new 7 series NEEDS in order to be better than the outgoing one are:
1. shift lever in the proper position
2. adios to the iDrive debable
3. good riddance to the bangle butt.
Seems they’re on track with at least two of those…
I can’t believe they will keep the ugly desing from the current gen 7 series.
And they better have tons and tons of brand new technology if they want to keep up with Lexus