2009 BMW 7 series

We have debated on whether we should post these new photos that just popped out of the upcoming 7 series. They are mostly interior photos and from it looks like, it's an actual mock-up rather than a finished product.

Also, one of the photos that have been floating around for a few weeks now, it shows a rendering of what the new BMW 7 Series might look like. We asked our sources if the "real" 7 is anywhere that design, and…we were told that it's pretty pretty close. Unfortunately, we cannot really confirm 100% if the rendering is very accurate, but we thought we should post it anyway.

In the end, all these spy photos game is kinda fun and I would love to go back to this article when the 2009 7 Series will come out.

One thing that I am disappointed in, is the interior which is not even closely comparable to the Mercedes-Benz S-Classe. I really hope that the final product will look different.




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Batman219 - 5/6/2008 4:24:55 PM

+15 Boost

Very conservative with the design.

ricer - 5/6/2008 8:15:28 PM

-5 Boost

yes this car looks cool in 1999

bmwdrvr - 5/6/2008 8:29:18 PM

+3 Boost

not the 1999 model looked cool in 1999 actually it was one of the best looking cars than.......i am curious to see how this much more conservative desighn will sell against the current model, the current model was the best selling 7 series ever and it certainly had a more radical desighn that Mercedes followed suit with its own rendition.

TataPower - 5/6/2008 4:34:16 PM

-23 Boost

Interior material looks very low grade as BMW's usual.

daytonaviolet - 5/6/2008 4:42:17 PM

+16 Boost

Interesting since the article says "it looks like it's an actual mock-up rather than a finished product."

Especially considering that they are spy shots, not BMW released pictures.

sector - 5/6/2008 5:11:07 PM

-19 Boost

but remember, although BMW interiors may look dull and outdated (much like taxi interior), they use the "finest" of materials :)

Willis - 5/6/2008 6:34:15 PM

+12 Boost

Tata and Auto001 need to spend some time in the Lexus LS, because that interior is completely overrated and full of cheap plastics. The wood looks awfully fake too.

Just an observation...

85bmw745i - 5/6/2008 6:51:39 PM

+12 Boost

Tatapower you are low grade.

atomicbri - 5/6/2008 6:57:38 PM

+14 Boost

I find it ironic that someone who calls themselves Tatapower would find the interior of any BMW super luxurious considering Tata Cars have probably some of the cheapest plastics of any car in the world.

atomicbri - 5/6/2008 7:07:15 PM

+9 Boost

I meant to type that "should find the interior of any BMW super luxurious!"

Willis - 5/6/2008 7:42:08 PM

+5 Boost

I have. And I am not impressed. Lexus cars in general have been so overrated as of late in so many areas. Interiors are one of those areas. I find the LS interior to be good, but not as good as it is made out to be. The Audi A8 or MB S class and Jaguar XJ make a much higher quality impression on me.

pushrod27 - 5/6/2008 8:35:49 PM

+11 Boost

The LS interior is no big deal. The wood and leather are nice, but the shape of the dash design looks like it was lifted from a last-generation Honda Accord. The stalks for the turn signals, wipers, and cruise control are the very same pieces you will find in a Corolla.
As a Lexus driver, i know what it is about the Lexus interior that people like:

1. The seats are extremely comfortable - very soothing for an aching back or a weary body

2. The leather and wood are very nice, of high quality.

In reality, BMW's interior is made of more expensive materials and designed with enthusiastic driving in mind.

stash84 - 5/7/2008 5:37:15 AM

-2 Boost

this article is not about the ls..its about the 7 series..and id rather have an inexpensive, nice looking interior than an expensive, cheap-looking interior..and that goes for mostly ALL bmw interiors that ive seen...just an "observation"

AdmiralT20 - 5/6/2008 4:53:27 PM

+9 Boost

The F01/F02 chassis will support XDrive tranny.

528i - 5/6/2008 4:36:57 PM

+6 Boost

In the first photo the car have fog lights, but you can't see in the second photo.

Ironman273 - 5/6/2008 5:11:04 PM

+4 Boost

The 2 pictures are separate renderings. They have the same basic ideas but each artist has different details in their renderings.

w209w114 - 5/6/2008 4:52:32 PM

0 Boost

Hopefully this wont be the next 7 series, That door panel looks... well, unfitting of a car this caliber and status.

The S-Class Rules!!!

MattB - 5/6/2008 4:53:48 PM

+6 Boost

The front end is hideous.

TauronB2G - 5/6/2008 4:54:34 PM

+2 Boost

I like the car...it looks like an evolution of the last gen car. Which is a good thing. But I think the grill is too big. Can't wait to see the actual product.
T

PlanB - 5/6/2008 4:56:02 PM

+3 Boost

Looks like an overgrown 3 series. Very safe design. They're trying not to ruffle any feathers this time around I wonder.

JUGNU - 5/6/2008 4:56:03 PM

-2 Boost

"We asked our sources if the "real" 7 is anywhere that design, and…we were told that it's pretty pretty close"

i hope it's not true as that is not a very strong design, looks boring and even the current one looks better and expensive. More the upcoming 7 closer to CS concept the better.

JUGNU

atomicbri - 5/6/2008 7:09:19 PM

+5 Boost

Kudos! I agree! Come on people...these are other people's rendered ideas of what THEY think the BMW 7 Series should be like.... not what BMW has actually designed.

Ironman273 - 5/9/2008 5:11:58 PM

+1 Boost

Actually, these are renders based on the 7-series with the swirly black and white camo that still showed the shape of the car along with the "leaked" eBay bumper. As the article states, an inside source has said it looks "close" so in this case it's a lot more than the speculation of an artist.

Rupert - 5/6/2008 5:15:25 PM

-5 Boost

Very conservative update.

Ironman273 - 5/6/2008 5:15:27 PM

+2 Boost

These renderings go along the lines of the infamous eBay F01 7-series bumper so I wouldn't be surprised if it's close. I remember reading that the new 7-series was going to go back to the E38 understated elegance without all the "weirdness" of the E65/66 so it may seem restrained compared to the current model.

SouthBayM5 - 5/6/2008 5:48:03 PM

+1 Boost

Not even a good Photo-chop. I think Motortrend had their own photo-chop take on this as well in this month's issue.

JRobUSC - 5/6/2008 6:17:08 PM

+5 Boost

I'm going to do the unthinkable and wait until I can see the car in person and see and feel the interior quality before judging it. I know, I know, don't everyone deboost me at once.

FactsRule - 5/6/2008 9:38:53 PM

+4 Boost

Yeah and the Lexus LS interior looks exactly as if it were lifted off of a Toyota Avalon... Some of the exact same components can be found in a toyota corolla.. Now that must be real quality!!! LOL

GermanNut - 5/6/2008 7:18:10 PM

0 Boost

It is a shame if this is anything close to the next generation because the Audi A8 will continue to outsell the BMW 7-series worldwide.

ghosthunter - 5/6/2008 7:59:38 PM

+2 Boost

A8 totally out sales BMW 7 with its 3.0L A8.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/6/2008 11:18:38 PM

+3 Boost

You do know, of course, that BMW also offers several six-cylinder 7 Series models? There's the Audi A8 3.2 V6 and 3.0TDI V6, and there's the BMW 730i and 730d.

ghosthunter - 5/7/2008 12:58:16 AM

-4 Boost

S4, of course you Don't know Audi sold bunch of A8 2.8 in its second largest market, which contributes a lot to its sales. (due to government regulation)

and speaking of which, German big 3 tend to down play its power and price outside of the U.S.(ie A8 2.8, 730i, S300), where Japanese manufactures tends to be more consistent world wide (i call it non-discrimination), at least, you could never find a LS with less than 4.0 L engine, EVER.

Heyhuub - 5/7/2008 2:02:29 AM

+2 Boost

The 2.8 is out for only a few month's now, the A8 already fastly outselled the 7-series without the 2.8 in their lineup.

ghosthunter - 5/7/2008 1:09:51 PM

-1 Boost

i hate to correct other people who wanna correct me without knowing what they are talking about:
fact: A8 had FWD 2.8 L as a choice ever since 1997. Chinese government has a policy that prevent government officials (who accounts for 70% of luxury car market in china even today) buying 3.0 or above cars.
fact: BMW 7 had NEVER introduced sub 3.0L engine.

obviously, A8 didn't just introduce 2.8L few month ago, they had it 10 years ago.

Rupert - 5/7/2008 6:30:41 PM

+3 Boost

Yes but it wasn't available on the new model until late last year. It's the least polluting in it's class as well.

VISO - 5/7/2008 10:00:46 PM

+2 Boost

Ghosthunter, check your facts. The A8L in V8 and W12 form outsells all of the 7-Series and S-Class V8 and V12 forms combined in Europe.

Don't hate because you are an Audi hater.

ghosthunter - 5/8/2008 2:04:11 PM

0 Boost

VISO: that i don't know. mind to post your source? I'd love to see how much V8 and W12 audi sold. my source indicated totally number A8 sold in U.S. is very pathetic.

Rupert - just because Audi introduced 2.8L to its newest body design last year, it doesn't mean AUDI didn't sell any 2.8L A8 last year. it sold plenty of 2.8 A8 with the old body design. in fact, i sat in one of those, while the interior is nice (as usual), but engine really sucks consider the mass of the car. that very same engine used on A4 is a decent match, but not on A8. (note i didn't say anything about FWD, which i don't feel it is going to make a big difference when you have less than 250 lb/ft torque)


also, i get deboosted the most when i mention Lexus's consistency with engine choice, yet no one can say a word to defend German big 3. deboosting without a reason, is that all your german fanboy can do? truly PATHETIC.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/9/2008 9:14:20 AM

+1 Boost

I would be extremely surprised if the 2.8L engine contributes to more than 5% of European A8 sales. Most people aren't so desparate for a limo that they'd take the cheapest one; they would much rather have a well-equipped A6 (or A8 3.0TDI) instead.

FactsRule - 5/6/2008 9:32:40 PM

+6 Boost

Gee whiz, I guess BMW is doing something right to generate so much buzz from everyone. How many other car companies can most people remember the lead designers name??? Love him or hate him, Bangle's cars have sold and everyone including Lexus and MB have copied so of the design themes on to their cars.

BMW leads, Lexus follows!

FactsRule - 5/6/2008 9:35:17 PM

+3 Boost

misspell: copied "some" of the design themes on to their cars. The infamous "Bangle Butt" for one and now the eyebrows.. Check out Lexus Butts and MB Butts as of late...

Maverick2020 - 5/6/2008 9:17:53 PM

+4 Boost

With all due respect, the current 7-series and possibly the next-gen 7-series does not even come close to the presence of the S-class.

This new S-class is one of the sharpest vehicles ever produced by Daimler, and I think worth every penny.

bmwdrvr - 5/7/2008 12:19:53 AM

0 Boost

Mercedes liked the current 7 series how else you can explain its obvious influence on the S class

freeagent - 5/6/2008 10:17:32 PM

-2 Boost

Very muddled and disappointing

FactsRule - 5/6/2008 10:55:06 PM

+5 Boost

photoshop dude... Promise you the new 7 will look much better than this gimmick.. I PROMISE YOU!

altdude - 5/6/2008 10:51:29 PM

0 Boost

It's a bit awkward looking, but other than that it's definitely better than the E66. It's definitely more conservative, which is a safe move on BMW's part.

That being said the door panel's too complicated, with too many lines going here and there. The nice thing about BMW's was 'classic simplicity' in their designs. They were elegant because they were simple, and that simplicity highlighted design features (like the hofmeister knik). The E38 7-series was perhaps the most beautiful luxury car of the '90's and early 00's, because of this.

Dr550 - 5/7/2008 2:17:25 AM

+1 Boost

Agree. Believe BMW will be more "conservative" with the next 7-series but bold with CS. Smart move.

SHOWTIME - 5/6/2008 11:05:25 PM

+4 Boost

That front won't even come close to the production model. BMW is not that stupid to make such an ugly front.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/6/2008 11:19:32 PM

+2 Boost

I really hope it looks a lot more like the CS when the REAL THING comes out.

cdoke - 5/7/2008 12:57:50 AM

+2 Boost

I think that this segment is going to become increasingly fascinating. I really hope that companies will really try to out do one another as opposed to merely competing.

Yonder7 - 5/7/2008 6:22:11 AM

0 Boost

I am sure this is a photoshop because if they try to compete with this crap, they will losse a lot of customers. MB and Bimmer in luxury are so diferent as AMG and M series, and in luxury MB is the leader so I don´t have high expectatios about this new 7 series. Even A8 looks a lot better any day than a 7 series.

Yonder7 - 5/7/2008 6:27:41 AM

0 Boost

bmwdrvr - You wish a 7 series as good as the S class, sorry for you. They´ll have to work a lot to reach the current model, and even that will be a problem. I recommend you to a Descritive Geometry course any day, that will help you to see the differences on the designs.

JRobUSC - 5/7/2008 8:27:28 AM

+6 Boost

why couldn't they exactly? The current 7-Series was better than the previous S-class, and if it wasn't for the 2002 7-Series the current S-class wouldn't be what it is today. The influences and design elements the S-class "borrowed" from the 7-Series are unmistakable, you can't argue it. I don't see any reason why BMW couldn't "jump ahead" again, at least until the next big sedan comes out from Audi or Mercedes. That's how this works. That's how this has ALWAYS worked.

FactsRule - 5/7/2008 11:23:51 AM

+1 Boost

Yonder7, obviously you are a MB fan, as I am a BMW fan, but you must be kidding if you think the S class has better styling than a 7 series..

sector - 5/7/2008 9:49:48 PM

0 Boost

7-series is at least 10 yrs behind the S class, maybe 2 years ahead of Lexus. You look at the S class to determine what kind of tech will be in "everyday" affordable cars 10 years down the line. So who was the 1st to offer Navigation? Anti-lock brakes? how about airbags? besides, 95% of worlds dictators can't be wrong :)

sector - 5/7/2008 11:03:40 PM

-1 Boost

I meant 2 years "behind" Lexus :)

Ironman273 - 5/7/2008 8:58:39 AM

+1 Boost

I know this is off-ropic but what's with the little audio recording below the article?

ubercool - 5/7/2008 12:23:50 PM

-2 Boost

Looks like a bland makeover to me, boring exterior and cheap interior!

autopro - 5/7/2008 4:53:46 PM

+1 Boost

They will need 20k back to sell the 7series for the next several years.

hao420 - 5/7/2008 9:47:18 PM

+1 Boost

Nasty grill,looks like time for me to head back to Lexus or MB dealer....

sector - 5/7/2008 11:06:21 PM

+2 Boost

That far left picture looks like Shrek comming back from the dentist :)

c36amg - 5/8/2008 6:32:04 AM

+1 Boost

the s class is going to have an easy time making good sales.. the 7 series will remain as ugly as it was in the first place...

some people never learn...

ubercool - 5/8/2008 9:25:32 AM

+1 Boost

I would still rather have a black Jaguar XJR:-)

beemz - 5/9/2008 4:41:04 PM

+1 Boost

I love the overall shape, side character line/profile, etc. I even don't have a problem with the big grille. I also like the headlight design. But they have to do something about the lower aprons and front fascia!!