Will BMW Turn The Luxury Market On Its Head With The New 9-Series Flagship?

BMW will preview its upcoming 9-series sedan with a concept car at the Beijing auto show, according to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport.

The extra-long-wheelbase 9 series will take on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S600 Maybach, which itself is production ready and is set to debut in a matter of months.

The 9 series will be positioned alongside the Rolls-Royce Ghost in BMW's global lineup, and is expected to feature packaging and interior appointments similar to that of the S600 Maybach while building upon the design language recently seen in the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe, unveiled at the 2013 Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance in Italy last May.

 

JDMUSMuscle - 4/8/2014 1:37:17 PM

+3 Boost

9 series? Where is 8 series then?

w222 - 4/8/2014 2:31:14 PM

+2 Boost

8 series will be a 2 door version of the 7 series
In a few years they will introduce an unique door-less flagship call the 10 series

dlin - 4/8/2014 3:16:16 PM

+4 Boost

Looks like a longer sausage to me. BMW doesn't seem to know how to make high-end stuff.
I don't care, as long as they can get 1/3/5 right.

cidflekken - 4/8/2014 4:50:08 PM

+2 Boost

If it just looks like a longer 3/5/7, then no, it won't do anything new for BMW or for the industry, unlike the upcoming S600 Maybach which is based on the newly design S. Though the new C bares a resemblance to the new S and S600, it is a more effective approach since it's a result of trickle-down vs. trickle-up or trickle-across.

mre30 - 4/8/2014 6:58:04 PM

+6 Boost

Nah...it will be just another expensive large Bimmer that sits on the dealer lots and that depreciates quickly.

S-Class sales have been steadily inching up the last 10 years; Audi A8 sales have come from nowhere 10 yrs ago to about the same amount as the 7-series now; 7-series sales have remained comparatively static, Lexus LS sales have plummeted and are negligible WW.

BMW has to seriously re-think their "large-car" strategy and perhaps their "large-SUV" strategy. They can start by getting rid of the "flared nostril / angry buffalo" grill treatment for the big vehicles. Its seriously ugly.

GermanNut - 4/9/2014 4:41:45 AM

+3 Boost

Mre30, you said it perfectly. In the flagship segment buyers want luxury, technology, plush ride and real panache. The S-class delivers all these qualities better in overall terms than any competitor. The 7-Series has been too focused on driving dynamics rather than luxury and technology. Its ride is harsher and it's tech. not as advanced (no scent sprayer or Magic Carpet Ride) so buyers get the S-class instead.

The S-Class's dominance over many decades has only reinforced it's leading sales status.

CarCrazedinCali - 4/8/2014 7:47:01 PM

+4 Boost

that concept is not exciting me BMW

iamdabest1 - 4/8/2014 10:16:31 PM

+3 Boost

im definitely a bmw fan, but certain things they cant seem to do like make an S class coupe competitor.