7 Series (G70) 2023 (MY) BMW 7-Series (G70/G71) Spyshots

[Carmaker1]

I wanted to post the spy shots of an i7 several weeks ago to close out 2019 with some G70 spy shots, but felt it wasn't concrete yet.) Stupid i7 rumor threw me off, but I was certain it was the new G70 already testing in electrified form. Design was frozen last year, yet no chatter...

From Motor1 (who ruin their WCF era credibility every day):

The next-gen BMW 7 Series is now hitting the road for development. If it looks familiar, that's because this example wears the existing sedan's body, but the camouflage hints at some of the tweaks.

The covering on the outside conceals portions of the headlights and taillights, so we can't draw any conclusions about the new design. In front, the camo makes us think that BMW might have some new illumination tech for its range-topping sedan, like perhaps an upgrade to the brand's Laserlight technology. At the rear, the concealment is only over the outer sections of the lamps.

Inside, BMW's engineers put a cloth over the top of the center console, which probably hides an updated infotainment display. The rest of the cabin looks the same at the moment, other than the monitoring equipment for the vehicle's development.

While not evident in these photos, there are some early details about the next-gen 7 Series' powertrain options. Spy shots already indicate that BMW is working on a fully electric version of the big sedan.

Also, look for BMW to downsize the combustion engine options. The company seems adamant about phasing out its V12 engine for the next-generation of vehicles. A recent rumor also suggests that the quad-turbo inline-six diesel gets the axe soon.


BMW will reportedly end production of the current 7 Series in mid-2022. This will likely mean that the new one will debut earlier that year and will arrive for the 2023 model year in the United States.

 

[klier]

Calling this a next gen mule might be a little far fetched....

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

One thing hits my eyes. Fake exhaust tips. No BMW. Just don't do this.

 

[SCOTT27]

One thing hits my eyes. Fake exhaust tips. No BMW. Just don't do this.

Electric drivetrain prototype underneath existing body.
The media do realise that is still the G11/G12 right?

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Electric drivetrain prototype underneath existing body.

Faux muffler + downward pointing exhaust pipes as well ?

 

[MrRapp]

Electric drivetrain prototype underneath existing body.
The media do realise that is still the G11/G12 right?

Well, if they take themselves seriously and read this forum on a regular basis they should..

 

[SCOTT27]

Faux muffler + downward pointing exhaust pipes as well ?

If they had plates I would be able to check what drivetrain is underneath.
They could be cleverly disguised like the faux-exhausts on the i4 and iNEXT prototypes?

 

[Carmaker1]

Exactly why I didn't want to post "i7" spy photos weeks ago. Doesn't seem like standard fare for a BMW "KEX" vehicle or mule.

As klier said, probably not it. Motor1 is quickly losing their credibility with dumb reporting like this and hate to hear my constructive criticism over whittling down their WCF good streak.

And I'll quickly join them, if I don't vet what I post consistently. Sorry.

But I am concerned how we are 2 years away from G70/71 launch, yet not hearing much. By now all aspects of basic styling is done, since launching in 2022. One should be seeing and hearing something.

In fact, although the G20 design selection was end of November 2015, design freeze wasn't completed until mid-2016.

Yet, in January 2016 we saw the first "prototypes". In my opinion (unlike the clueless media), these G20 test vehicles were nothing more than mules wearing the fascia of the new car within modified F30 body shells.

The only thing that has changed is that BMW now uses the future front end (3D printed?) for testing on existing bodies, until fully constructed and integrated component prototypes can be assembled for testing post design freeze.

What does mystify me is that, in the case of G11 it has been alleged design freeze was in the middle of 2012. The first spy shots were February 2013 in F01 bodies (cobbled interiors), yet the cubing process had ended half a year earlier again in 2012. Weird 7-8 month gap between freeze and mule (in public).

November 2013 was the first shots of a bonafide G11 prototype (prod. interior and serial body), over a year and half after design freeze.

So why did the G11 have a longer gap between internal movements and actual field testing compared to the G20? Less complexities, more familiarity with OKL/35up?

BMW's cubing process used to take a very long time pre-1990s. Where cars like the E34 were defined in styling aspects in 1983, yet not frozen till about June-July 1985, ahead of November 2, 1987 SOP.

E36 styling details were set in early 1987, yet design freeze wasn't until sometime in 1988. Market launch (cust. deliveries) was January 1991 for reunified Deutschland.

E39 styling selection was June 1992, final freeze in early 1993, and all styling aspects finalized in the spring 1994 (Nagashima says his responsiblities for both Z3 and E39 ended around March 1994), with the first actual prototypes being spotted on the 'ring in October 1993, decorated like a rounded E34, but very hard to disguise from the real thing.

SOP was Sept. 1995, following pilot cars in February 1995 and sales launch in Dezember 1995 for DE.

It has been interesting to see the evolution of BMW's camouflaging (patterns to distort) and disguising (sheathing/fake styling) techniques over the decades. I digress.

So what is really going on? Are things moving slower than I imagined or is it being withheld from view?

If we saw G20 mules 37.5 months before release in February 2019 then why are we not seeing G70 mules by now?

All I hear about is i7 chatter and nothing related to the core model program. This just seems to be the same old, same old...I guess.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

While all of the above is true, the speed has increased tremendously. I know of at least one (low volume circa 8.000) car that has had its design freeze 9-10 months before SOP and first prototype testing 12 months before SOP.

 

[Carmaker1]

While all of the above is true, the speed has increased tremendously. I know of at leas...

Yes, but mass volume for most German brands is still way up there though. Toyota back in the early-mid 2000s tried to get away with 10-month design freezes on their smallest cars and 16-24 months on larger cars.

They quickly reverted back to 24 to 30 month design freezes post-2007.

It doesn't work for mass market, especially not at BMW

The W223 is a 2016 design and was frozen in mid-2017. Next E-Class is getting finished about now. Heck, even the next 5er going through design work. It's becoming very hush hush now.

As to SCOTT and Eni, this mule is different from the other shots that have a plugin receptacle. The body work is identical to ICE 7er, unlike previous shots.

Why are we hearing and seeing so little right now I wonder?

 

[hovabongZA]

Possible next 7 series nomenclature, very EV motivated.

According to trusted Ynguldyn

• Preliminary (likely incomplete) G70 lineup: 735d, 740i, 745e, M750e, i740, i750, i7 M60, with only 735d and i740 being RWD, all others AWD. Note that this is another proof of BMW rejecting the use of battery capacity in its EV model names.

 

[SKY]

Amazing. Just two models without electric power in the line up.

And who knows if those two engines will remain as an option the entire life of the car.

 

[Carmaker1]

I think it's gonna be much more like F01 news in 2005-2006 versus G11 in 2012-13. Kept very close to vest, as BMW doesn't want any info out there on this.

I think the first actual G70 test vehicles will be seen in the summer or autumn.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

I’ve got all my hopes on the next generation 7er, now MB is messing up the W223 aka lost generation. That 735d seems nice; hopefully a R6 dieselengine, RWD sounds perfect to me.

 

[SKY]

I think it's gonna be much more like F01 news in 2005-2006 versus G11 in 2012-13. Kept very...

Just as @Mick Briesgau is saying, I have high hopes for this car. The W223 does not look like a winner from the spy pics. I hope this time BMW nails the design. Some of the latest spy pics (2er GT, iNext) have me worried about the interio though.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

I'm hoping for something that has clearly taken several pages from the 2014 Vision Future Luxury concept playbook. That car still floors me.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Just as @Mick Briesgau is saying, I have high hopes for this car. The W223 does...

Concerning your interior worries. I think, it is fair to say, that a 7er interior should be quite different from a 1-series derivate (2er GT) and iNext presumed more futuristic interiors.

 

[Centurion]

I wonder what role the 7 Series will play going forward now that the X7 and upcoming iNext offer a flagship experience in SUV form.

 

[dalab]

I wonder what role the 7 Series will play going forward now that the X7 and upcoming iNext offe...

I think that the same as always, sales of both the 7 and the S, have remained basically the same or have grown even despite the existence and success of the GLS and the X7, it seems that this segment is as loyal as strong

Although it will be very interesting to see the drastic change in design announced, and if it will take a quantum leap in innovation, dynamics or something very special that will put it on top of the podium, something like the iDrive at the time, the first on-board computer, the first Satnav, that marked some of the 7 series

But as you indicate, the 7 will surely share the innovative leadership in many aspects with the iNext that will be the first to go on sale

 

[SCOTT27]

It was initially for the LCI. But they eventually restrained the appearance. Look closely at the background and although deliberately blurred. You can see how radical they wanted to go. And apparently it has been carried over for G70/71.