The rear end of the car is sure to draw criticism, just as the previous generation did, but overall the new model displays a much more elegant design than its predecessor. While the exterior changes appear to have been kept to a minimum, there are rumored to be a raft of significant changes underneath the sheet-metal, including a longer wheelbase and wider track, plus a range of new engine options including a hybrid version.
The range topping model is a new 750i and its 750Li extended wheelbase cousin, both of which are powered by a 400hp (298kW) 4.4L twin-turbo V8 engine with 450lbs-ft (610Nm) of torque. The only transmission available is a six-speed automatic, however BMW is expected to add a new eight-speed unit further down the track.
The 740i name returns, but is powered the award-winning 3.0L straight-six turbo engine instead of the former's V8 and delivers 326hp (243kW). In European markets there’s also a 730d turbodiesel with a 3.0L force-fed oil-burner churning out 245hp (183kW).
Performance is also improved through the extensive use of lighter multi-phase and hot-rolled steels in the body and chassis load-bearing structures, as well as aluminum for the roof, doors, hood and front fenders, plus on the front spring towers, engine block and differential housing.
An entirely new suspension system also features in the new 7-series. The design consists of a multi-link double-wishbone front suspension combined with a new ‘Integral V’ rear set-up. Self-leveling air suspension is also available. Rack-and-pinion steering with variable ratio and hydraulic power assist continues, but with a new-type hydraulic pump that delivers assist only when called for, thereby saving fuel. One key feature is the debut of BMW’s latest active steering system for the rear wheels.
The suspension system features further development of BMW’s active damper control system, which allows the driver to choose between four settings for shock-absorber firmness, transmission shift characteristics, engine-throttle response and power-steering assist.
The latest 7-series also picks up a new E-Shift gear selector located on the center console instead of the previous car’s steering column unit. Changing gears is done by tipping the E-Shift from side to side, while Park is engaged by a button atop the lever.
The car also debuts BMW’s second-generation iDrive system, which comes with a larger display monitor and a new menu and control system. Other new details include buttons for direct selection of the radio, CD, navigation and telecommunications menus, grouped conveniently next to the controller.
Advanced safety features include an active blind spot detection system and a new night vision set-up with pedestrian detection features. An optional adaptive cruise control system is also available, which can move the car automatically in stop and go traffic.
The blind spot system will vibrate the steering wheel and flash an LED on the exterior mirror upon initiating a lane change when there is an unseen vehicle in the blind spot or when there is a vehicle quickly approaching. The new system works in conjunction with BMW’s previous lane departure warning system, which also vibrates the steering wheel.
Finally, there is also a high beam assist, which automatically dims the headlights for oncoming traffic.
The new 7-series will make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show in October before going on sale by the end of the year.
Reader Comments
Thu Jul 3 2008 11:09 AM
raptor says
Interior looks somewhat.. german (I actually like it), front looks quite nice as far as I can tell but whoever made those taillights should be shot.
Thu Jul 3 2008 11:17 AM
Dann says
I like it so much, it may not be as elegant as an S Class but it is more imposing...they just need to get some more horses out of the V12 to match the 600 and 65 Mercs though
Thu Jul 3 2008 11:53 AM
Cirquo says
Let's see, old and tired comes to mind when looking ath the new 7 series Bimmer. The restyle isn't anything of a big change. BMW played it safe while Mercedes went bold and took some cues from their Maybach.
Thu Jul 3 2008 1:01 PM
dante says
Still not a fan of their interiors ... that does not look upscale at all to me.
Thu Jul 3 2008 1:15 PM
lackar says
I think BMW's design is walking on the wrong way. They need to have a pause and choose a better way. Or BMW will be out of date while Merc is shaping the future of all the cars.
Thu Jul 3 2008 1:33 PM
BAUMM III says
Look more like a big restyling of the current one, that a brand new 7'.
Thu Jul 3 2008 1:50 PM
Brad says
that interior is not good, boring to put it better, its like bmw's best interior is like merc's and audi's worst.
Thu Jul 3 2008 1:53 PM
Gus says
You know what's sad? The back end looks good ONLY becuase it doesn't look as bad as the previous 7 series...
Thu Jul 3 2008 2:10 PM
Andrey says
it really looks good, the interior does its job, if you want beauty go to italy :P
Thu Jul 3 2008 4:10 PM
Fan says
This car reminds me of the Lexus flagship, in fact its shape looks like its been copied off it.
The interior hasn't changed for close to 10 years, its definately time to update.
As said above, Audi's interior is more refined and better looking. Audi and Mercedes are really stepping up the game in their design studios.
However, BMW is focusing on deploying more models like the 1 series, the X1, the X6, and the 8 series. Thats where there focus and money is. BMW has a solid formula that is working for them, so I don't see an interior change anytime soon.
Thu Jul 3 2008 9:43 PM
Adam says
Definitely an improvement on the current model, but the front reminds me of the new Maxima... kinda round and puffy! I like the more conservative design, it looks like the current model's been toned down and gone over to make it more refined, less gaudy.
Thu Jul 3 2008 10:42 PM
HECTOR says
Adam: I think that has to do with the new European pedestrian safety laws.
And let's face it, if BMD did away with the Bangle butt and the steering column mounted gearshifter it could only have improved upon the old one.
Fri Jul 4 2008 12:11 AM
amac says
Snore. Boring and kinda fugly. The Buick Lucerne is more attractive than this. BMW: what happened?
Fri Jul 4 2008 1:32 AM
str8up says
who was drinking at the design board?
Fri Jul 4 2008 1:32 AM
str8up says
snore!!!!!!!!
Fri Jul 4 2008 3:52 AM
BMWfan says
I think it looks quite handsome. It conveys an imposing stance, as a car of its rank should. That said, I expect it will still handle like a BMW! Much better than anything currently from Merc.
Fri Jul 4 2008 9:27 AM
tonymos says
It's a huge improvement over the current 7series which is far to unproportioned in my opinion. So that wasn't much of a challenge. But wtf have they thought while doing the grill design??? It resembles a pig's nose/nostrils or a wall plug...
Fri Jul 4 2008 9:44 AM
Dann says
Apparently this wil be available with a twin-turbo V12
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/04/rumormill-2009-bmw-7-series-coming-july-7th/
"Two, twin-turbocharged engines will be available: a V12 and the V8 currently found in the X6"
sorry to post a link to another site just wanted to show my source...that would be an interesting car...imagine the V12 in the 6 series =O or if they bring out the CS in 2 door form
Fri Jul 4 2008 1:24 PM
Dane says
Wow, it comes in Camry tan????? Way forward thinking BMW.....
Fri Jul 4 2008 2:21 PM
Gus says
The best looking BMW 7 series, and the only decent looking one in many years, was the one before the current model, the one featured driving itself in the James Bond movie (I forget the name).
I am really dissapointed in the direction BMW is going. They were such a great company, there was not a single modle of thiers that wasn't highly desireable and totally cool.
Now the only one I would want right now is the 335i coupe and convertible. The 5 series is ugly front and rear, the 7 series is ugly in the rear (and the front now, too), the 3 series sedan looks like a Honda, and the 1 series looks like a girl. The X5 and X3 are nothing more than tall station wagons... They are all great cars technically, I'm sure, but you have to like to look at what you drive, no?
Fri Jul 4 2008 3:37 PM
admin says
Gus - totally agree with you. In fact I was considering writing an open letter to BMW on this website.
What happened to the great design in the E39 5-series, E-46 3-series, or the 8-series? I've been really disappointed with their new designs and this is yet another poorly executed model. BMW has the highest paid designers in the business. What the hell are they thinking?
Fri Jul 4 2008 4:12 PM
Fan says
Maybe BMW really wants to appeal this 7 series to a mature crowd. The previous generation has a sharper design that actually appeals to a younger audience( I see younger people driving 7 series sedans with huge rims around town).
Its weird because the exterior doesn't look german at all. It looks more smooth and doesn't have the character that was shown in the concepts like the 8 series.
Fri Jul 4 2008 6:17 PM
Axial6 says
The reality is that the evolutionary break from the current 7 could not have really yielded a better result. It is like have a very ugly child, and expecting that child's offsprings to be beautiful. It will take several generations.
This is certainly an improvement, yet as another astutely pointed out, it is only so, for the current 7 is so bloody hideous. On my drive home, I spotted a current 7, and was amazied at how aged and irrelevant it really looked. It looks clumsy and cumbersome, with overly wrought lines. Honestly, MB and Audi are leading the way. MB has become almost flamboyant, whilst Audi leads the way with understated elegance. Although the current A4 is a bit too understated.
BMW and the Bangle led era is a disaster. I had a 1998 740i, that was a sharp looking beast. Switched to a 1999 A8, and then a 2004 A8. Currently driving a 2006 Range Rover Diesel.
Sat Jul 5 2008 12:35 PM
lance says
i dont understand the design. i agree with lackar, the design is going no where unlike the benzs. bmw is losing direction. i think they are trying to be controversial again.
Sat Jul 5 2008 8:45 PM
justin says
omfg its actually cute wat happened to the masculant side to this car did it take off lik the bmw designers girlfriend and that plumber dude
Sun Jul 6 2008 6:48 AM
ally says
the bak is a definite improvement from the previous one....the car wud hav looked ten times much better if they had made those 2 airintakes(grills) a lil smaller
Mon Jul 7 2008 4:16 AM
Uncia says
The new BMW 7 is nothing more than another flagship German car that longs to be a Lexus LS.
Mon Jul 7 2008 9:04 AM
Oz says
Bimmers will always be Bimmers ladies and gentlemen, this is called R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!! Though i adore the new X5 yet Audi beat all the SUV's with their astonishing Q7 (the sexiest SUV designed ever since cars were invented).
Mon Jul 7 2008 12:38 PM
Edward says
Just too plain! No inspiration here. The days of Pininfarina and Bill Lyons are over with. There isn't a designer around today with taste.
Mon Jul 7 2008 1:37 PM
Gus says
Agree with the comment about Audi; They are the only really decent designer in the German upscale car market.
Mon Jul 7 2008 4:29 PM
Mike says
Nothing like a new BMW release to bring out all the haters!
Tue Jul 8 2008 4:58 PM
brad says
hey uncia i think it is the other way around, the ls strives to be everything german cars are.
Wed Jul 9 2008 1:44 AM
bob says
Thank God they returned the gear shift to it's right full place. That little prickly thing by the wipe blade lever was very emasculating!
Wed Jul 9 2008 5:28 AM
haha says
hahah
germans are now copying the japanese in design and style!!
the uncanny resemblance of the back to the LEXUS LS is scary!
come on bmw, u cant have everyone acusing u of copying LEXUS now can you!?
(now let's watch the bmw lovers to argue this ! )
Wed Jul 9 2008 3:20 PM
John says
I think that the new BMW is amazing.... My family has been long time costumers to BMW since 1995 and we have had no complaints. My 13 year old 5 series still runs like new, and my Mom's 4 year old 3 series is still in mint condition. Clearly BMW is doing somthing right! Mercedes to me, and many other people is too over done and grotesque. It has too much going on and it gives me a headache. The S class is constantly copying the BMW's titanic size in the old and new 7 series, yet people still say that BMW copies them. To be perfectly honest, I don't think BMW would stoop to the level of copying a Mercedes, Lexus or Audi. If I were on the Mercedes design board I would stop TRYING to be better than BMW because it is a blattle that they will lose. BMW is known for its simple elegance and well built structure... hence the reason why BMW is called "The ultimate driving machine." BMW is not known however, for its overdone, pretentious, and Hyundaii like appearance....like Mercedes benz!
Fri Jul 11 2008 12:47 AM
please says
Please john,
bmw is known and all european brands for that matter are prone to electrical,mechanical, and many other problems. Reliability of europeans vs japanese cant be questioned. Japanese win hands down. Now whether this is a pre planned obsolescence or breakage we'll never know. bmw is not called "the ultimate driving machine" b/c it's "known for its simple elegance and well built structure". I'ts called MARKETING john. BMW came up with that slogan, not by anyone else but themselve. stop and think before you post that makes you look like a fool.
peace
Fri Jul 11 2008 9:11 AM
Peter says
It looks so similar to the old one (which wasn't brilliant),that whith oil prices the way they are ,it's just not good enough! I would rather buy an S-class.
Fri Jul 11 2008 12:32 PM
John says
Dear "Please,"
The only fool is you; go out and take a "man on the street" interview, and ask what car people would prefer if they could have their choice: a BMW or a Toyota....I think you know the answer, and it isn't "moving forward."
Furthermore, I don't think people would buy a $35,000-$112,000 dollar car if it "broke down" all the time.
BMW is known for its simple elegance, so you clearly never owned one, or any other luxury car for that matter.
Regarding BMW's ad campaign, you show again how foolish you are by your remarks; the company has produced a well built car for decades, commanding top dollar for their vehicles, so the self anointing: "the utimate driving machine" is pretty apropos (PS, that means relevant).
Lastly, let's not even talk about the prestige difference between German and Japanese cars...it would be a very short conversation.
I wish for you to have a life perserver, as you drown in a sea of ignorance.....
Peace right back at you.
John
Sat Jul 19 2008 4:14 AM
john-tsk tsk says
Dear John,
Your ignorance shines through like an idiot holding a sign "Please teach me to read, sir".
John, what you describe is called, desirability. What I discussed is , reliability. I hope this is clear and you understand the difference. Go back and read again, maybe you wont look so stupid.
I give all the credit to BMW for their amazing marketing and pretty good performance vehicles to credit their status in the auto market. Afterall, they had over two decades head start. They better have a better market reputation.
Unfortunately, I dont fall into the population who believe that the more you pay, the better the car is. Your argument is flawed, period. argumentum ad populum, or argument to the public. You are trying to prove that a bmw is dependable, reliable because it costs alot of money and alot of people wont buy it if it breaks down. You are failing miserably.
I will stop as you probably dont understand half of what i said with your level of IQ/understanding/brain activity.
You FAIL miserably.
Peace
Mon Jul 21 2008 2:30 AM
Wizards Lore says
Dear the love in on the new 7 series NOT.
plain and simple this car isnt close to the style of the new S CLass and behind the Lexus LS.
They need to go back and design the car better. It also looks flimsy and not at alll you are getting the car you paid all the money for.
Also ADMIN - feel free to write a letter to BMW on this site. You can also prpomote my idea for the different colour propellor badges for their different ranges. :)
Wed Jul 30 2008 2:35 PM
Hotshut says
Its OK looking but not striking like the S class.
Wed Jul 30 2008 5:48 PM
Mikle says
bmw like most companies faces the "bums in seats" challenge. the new 7 clearly will have more appeal. brings new technology...example 4 wheel steering. for a barge/limo it's solid, and a likely winner
Fri Aug 1 2008 4:47 AM
Manuel says
Its a BMW .......no more no less .......like Mercedes Benz.,Jaguar........they are what they are.....tops car...with History ...with real Prestige....it doesn't matter how old they get ...they allways will look nice.....and will be...
Lexus......it is a very good car...perhaps more reliable than the others now.....it's the brand of the new rich or the better know (I wanna be)....people without any class ...just Esnobbish people....that's why its so popular in USA and now in UK..Lexus change their lines every 3 years ..so after that....what you have it's a old japanese car...Lexus is really a TOYOTA with leather seats...no more no less.
.
Wed Aug 27 2008 12:16 AM
Dj Sims says
the outside is not that good (tail lights), but adding 22's, presidential tint and air suspension will fix that. The interior is world class presidential kush. Who cares about the outside if u can feel like a king when you're inside. Besides, it's a BMW.
Tue Jan 6 2009 8:13 PM
Ben R says
Wizards Lore you do not know what you are talking about. I'm sure you are just trying to act like you know a lot about the luxury sedans. First off saying that the 7 series is not as nice looking as a Mercedes S-Class or a Lexus LS is an opinion. Personally I, and obviously many more people, think the new 7 series is very nice looking and sporty. Second, how does it look flimsy? There is nothing that I can see that is flimsy about the car. If there is say some examples. Third, saying that you are not getting the car you paid for is a weird statement. If you knew a lot about these cars you would know that the BMW has more horsepower and is quicker than both the Lexus and Mercedes, but not the price. The flagship, or most expensive, mercedes S-Class starts at a little under $200,000. The Lexus starts at a little over $100,000. The new BMW 7 series most expensive car, the 750li, starts at $87,000. I would say you are getting your moneys worth.
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