2009 Bmw 7-Series to feature four wheel steering?

The latest rumor about the next generation of the BMW 7 Series is that the car will feature four wheel steering as optional extra! Yes it is true! But the next question comes now: For what? The vehicle isn’t a super-yacht which cannot be handled and as you know it has parking sensors together with cameras and this doesn’t make any sense.

As you know, Bmw is planning to launch in 2008 a new generation of its 7-Series. The new model will be direct competitor to the Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8 and Lexus L. Sources confirmed the fact that the new Bmw will get a 8-speed automatic gearbox.
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PintoRacer - 4/15/2008 10:43:31 PM

+3 Boost

Following Infiniti's steps, good job BMW.

ThierryHenry14 - 4/15/2008 11:30:57 PM

-2 Boost

And Infiniti copied... Mazda... So what? Whats your point?

minimalist - 4/16/2008 4:11:00 AM

+6 Boost

And Mazda copied... Honda... So what? Whats your point?

I had 4 wheel steering in my 92 prelude. It was awesome.

lexusrox123 - 4/16/2008 9:06:48 AM

+2 Boost

bmw is also "following" lexus's 8 speed.

EnnNorak - 4/18/2008 8:44:28 AM

+1 Boost

4-wheel steering is a useless complication -- I would pay not to have it.

S4cabriofoxone - 4/15/2008 11:43:14 PM

0 Boost

Wow... all this fantastic engineering is making me want this car a lot more than I thought I would.

nSun - 4/16/2008 12:04:34 AM

+1 Boost

brings it back to the early 90's. when honda, mazda, infiniti and other carmakers all used this technology in their cars. I just don't remember how it just died.

SixxFive - 4/16/2008 12:19:23 AM

-2 Boost

Lexus will follow with a 16 speed automtatic and eight wheel steering...LOL!

lexusis350 - 4/16/2008 1:06:10 AM

+3 Boost

That's so funny I forgot to laugh.

mpls - 4/16/2008 2:40:29 AM

+2 Boost

SO the point is what ?
BMW recycles old technology or patents that have run out so BMW copies them for free ??

STJ88 - 4/16/2008 3:42:57 AM

+4 Boost

@ThierryHenry14

How can infinti copy mazda when infiniti is nissan. And the HICAS system has been around since 1986.

SpicyMikey - 4/16/2008 9:00:18 AM

-2 Boost

I didn't read they are claiming to be introducing something ground breaking? Merely adding an exclusive option to the 7 series package What's the big deal either way?

Rupert - 4/16/2008 8:52:41 AM

0 Boost

"For what? The vehicle isn’t a super-yacht which cannot be handled and as you know it has parking sensors together with cameras and this doesn’t make any sense."

Well actually it will do many things:
Increase highspeed stability
Improve agility and responsiveness at low speeds
Improve the turning circle (On the Renault Laguna it reduces it by 2 metres)
Reduce understeer, which large heavy cars tend to suffer from

So it is in general a good thing.

answer - 4/16/2008 11:05:10 AM

+2 Boost

When is the new 7 supposed to be out?

mpls - 4/16/2008 2:17:07 PM

+2 Boost

Honda Prelude has 4 wheel steering from 1987 to 1990's

autopro - 4/16/2008 4:36:06 PM

0 Boost

four wheel steering gives a very little advantage in handling,does help with parking.Maybe that's BMW's answer to LEXUS's advance park system.