2009 BMW 7-Series Spy Photos

it's not going to look anything like that, that's nothing but a 3-series front bumper pshopped onto an existing 7-series. Play with the shape of the lights, make the side crease more pronounced, and tack on some silly lower side sills and, presto, you have this image.

It will also have an 8-speed transmission from ZF (who else?). Lexus had it first - but only to beat Mercedes with their 7-speeder.

Is it useful?

When the 7G-Tronic was launched a couple of years ago, Mercedes-Benz engineers said that adding more forward gears would be unnecessary. 7 is the sweet spot. Look at F1 - 7 gears.

In my opinion the AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic found in the C63, CLS63, ..etc is the best automatic transmission. It can handle so much torque (700Nm), skips shifts (5-7 shift for example), it has two reverse gears and in manual mode it shifts 50% quicker than in normal mode.

Sure, the Lexus 8-speed is among the top 5 best automatic transmissions out there. But simply adding more gears doesn't make it better.

note: I do not wish to be deboosted for this since this is just my opinion (and the one from many journalists :p).

pardon my ignorance here as I'm unfamiliar with what it's like to have two speeds for reverse. What exactly is the point? How fast do you have to be going in reverse to need a "second gear" while driving backwards?

The 2nd gear is just a gimmick. Not useful IMO.

I don't know the difference between 6, 7 & 8 gears. But what I do know is that I thought the 5 speed in my old CLK 320 was a great box. Then I got the 7 speed in my CLK 500 and I like it even more. Better mileage and it kicks down smooth and fast. I swear i've seen it drop 3 gears at once and take off. Its a great box for me.
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Anything past 5 gears is just excessive. But excess=good in the luxury car market. Lexus got there first, big deal to you, right? So stop complaining.

"The 7G-Tronic has two reverse gear ratios. The winter mode, also recently named 'comfort' mode, starts out in 2nd forward and 2nd reverse. R1 3.416, R2 2.231

The transmission can skip gears when downshifting, allowing for quicker acceleration. It also has a lockup torque converter on all seven gears, allowing better transmission of torque for improved acceleration. The transmission's case is made of magnesium, a first for the industry, to save weight."

Wikipedia. Mind you this transmission was introduced in 2003. Way ahead of its time.

How does the 2nd reverse gear work? Whats the ponit?Are you saying there is a reverse for sport mode and a reverse for comfort mode two?
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1 word: GRIP

"new idrive". will it be as simple as using a honda nav? between both, hondas nav is much more simple to use, though w/o idrive, the interior wouldnt be so interesting.

You cant tell anything from those photos

Here is the explanation of the photoshop:

3 series bodykit

X5 mirrors and grill

CS concept rims

Facelifted 5 series foglights

current generation 7 series side profile and body

unique headlights

Thats all ;)

Not bad but not good either...
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I saw the side-view.
I fear for the future of BMW.
Similar to the '91 Chevy Impala SS.
The mechanicals had better be damn good with looks like that.

The new 7-Series will have an 8 speed transmission and the best in the business.

A worlds first!

I'm sure it will the best full-size luxury "sports sedan" in the world. It always has been in handling and performance department.
BMW does the best in camo. It is almost impossible to judge right now.

I'm already seeing Lexus trolls being jealous, I smell fear from them already LOL.

What's the deal with the dude taking the photo of the dude taking the car's photo? Is he all Barbara Streisandly or something?

Let's say it again in case someone didn't understand.

"What's a Lexus LS? I don't think that car exists at the level of cars like BMW 7 series and Mercedes S class. Isn't Lexus LS a competitor for Hyundai Azera? I thought so"

Bla Bla BBla Bla Bla.................

I'm happy to see the protective strip along the side to prevent door dings from lo-lifes in parting lots. I hope they killed the iDrive.

Highly unlikely. It would just be simpler to use.

That's just camoflage cladding on the side, it's highly unlikely it'll have a protective strip as newer car designs don't incorporate them. I-drive will be updated for this model, hopefully it'll be a little more intuitive for technophobes.