7 Series (G11) [Official] BMW 7 Series (G11/12)

[Mick Briesgau]

7er, 6er and 5er are all based on the CLAR '35up' platform. 6er is both 5er and 7er.

In future, you mean. Ok, I understand. Then I'm interested how it's implemented on those three.

 

[klier]

Yeah, me too. G11/12 is the first CLAR car.

 

[silkeye]

The guy felt like sharing it, don't see why it should be such a big concern...
Whoever is uninterested in some posts are free to not read them, hence this being a forum,right guys?

Just ignore that type of guys...

 

[Busty]

And paintings...

Today i spoke to a customer of mine, he and his wife (currently owning Audi A8L) were invited to a presentation in Hamburg.
He was impressed a lot and he is ordering his new 7er for early 2016.
But what surprised me the most was how his wife was impressed and convinced.
She told me about the nice colors, the nice chrome details, the sporty
and elegant design, the laser light, the stiching... And more.
That lady is normally a very reserved person, you won't get much feelings or freak outs from her speech or behavior, but this car... she couldn't stop...

I find that a pretty valuable information, indeed. Of course, ONE statement does not make a statistically significant effect but I find the post rather inspiring for future (market) research.

I don't know whether the same is true for the US or China, but in many European countries BMW has a serious problem with its image among women. Even though BMW like no other brand employs women in key functions in development and management and explicitly tries to develop products that also address women, the cars often have a 'redneck' stigma round here. Extrovert vehicles like the X6 did not improve that situation. And even though women may not be the major target group for the 7series they are at least the ones to have the buyers under their thumb.

 

[silkeye]

Nice that you say that the x6 is a bit pointed to the woman market,
My wife loves the x6 - above all SUVs and I know 2 ladies that own one... tssss
Don't think that it was on purpose

 

[Mick Briesgau]

. And even though women may not be the major target group for the 7series they are at least the ones to have the buyers under their thumb.

Right you are, Busty, right you are

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Nice that you say that the x6 is a bit pointed to the woman market

That's not what he said. He said the opposite actually.

 

[EnI]

Extrovert vehicles like the X6 did not improve that situation.

Right here F16 X6 is quite popular among young brides - as a rented "bride car".

I have attended a wedding recently - where the bride was driven in debadged Mineral White F16 X6 30d Pure Extravagance (xLine) with optional 20" wheels type 597, ... and the groom in XJ 3.0D in Ultimate Black with 19" wheels.

And the X6 was the absolute star of the event. With various other BMW, Audi, MB, Porsche, VW and Volvo sedans, wagons & SUVs being present. It has a huge presence and appeal. It's huge, sporty & aggressive. And looking upscale & luxurious enough - inside & outside.

 

[silkeye]

That's not what he said. He said the opposite actually.

Maybe read again...

 

[silkeye]

But I love kiddos with comments that try to distract from the topic...

I interpreted it that way... And I wrote about the couple and their impressions
Coz it belongs here...

 

[Busty]

@silkeye @Betty Swollocks: actually, you both make a point. In the first place, Betty got it right.

But: roundabout 5% of affordable luxury segment customers are women. Among those, BMW is very popular. In the high-end SUV segment, the situation is similar.

The problem may be the women behind the male decision makers and the overall societal image. That is what is being worked on.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Maybe read again...

I don't need to read again. Why don't you highlight the bit where @Busty says that the X6 was aimed at the female market?

 

[silkeye]

@Betty

Even though BMW... explicitly tries to develop products that also address women...
Extrovertvehicles like the X6 did not improve that situation.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

@Betty

Even though BMW... explicitly tries to develop products that also address women...
Extrovertvehicles like the X6 did not improve that situation.

You're missing out a very important part of the sentence.

Even though BMW like no other brand employs women in key functions in development and management and explicitly tries to develop products that also address women, the cars often have a 'redneck' stigma round here. Extrovert vehicles like the X6 did not improve that situation.

i.e. The X6 did not improve the image of BMW having a "redneck" stigma attached to them.

 

[Metanoid Android]

Thanks

Sadly the BMW fleet cars are all in use so I am eager to get a drive myself.
But I am informed that it is more rapid, refined and with more dynamic edge over the outgoing F01 series. The press cars are being built for next month which I think they are halfway through production with an area around Dingolfing storing the grey 750iLs.

In response to material changes? On one of the previews I was asked if a certain material "Rose Gold" could be applied which was submitted to BMW Individual which they checked out the finer details such as cost etc... It was approved but it was very,very expensive. With BMW Individual anything within moral reason is applicable...For the right price.

Thanks for your answer.

I figured that would be the case. I take it we talking thousands not tens of thousands for this rose gold finish. I really think BMW should look at offering different finishes to the metalwork as standard though, not just the brushed aluminium. Maybe three or four different finishes, that would really be in keeping with Modern Luxury and give BMW yet another edge over competion. If that's not enough and a customer wants something else then its BMW Individual.

To my eyes the brushed aluminium looks fabulous but it might be too bright and shiny for some, my mum being one of them. A darker matt finish would be easier on the eyes of some customers who would rule it out just for that. My dad ruled out the last generation S-Class because of the giant carbuncle of a dashboard. Unfortunately, the trapezoid dash of the new 7 reminds him of that some car he disliked from the 50's or 60's. But then I'm not a huge fan of the metalwork on his LS460 dash so we're even.☺

Why are their opinions relevant?

I for one appreciated the post referred to here. Their opinions are extremely relevant. Why would they not be? Also, women's opinions are extremely influential. Wives can make or break a deal. My mum hated the first Lexus LS460 she saw (it was all black!) but loves the one they bought a couple of years later (looks just like Doc Martins - ie the popular TV show set in Cornwall) and no doubt her views swayed the purchase.

 

[Metanoid Android]

Sadly the BMW fleet cars are all in use so I am eager to get a drive myself.

That's a shame. Hopefully you'll not have to wait too much longer. Do BMW think they've got the new class champ? Is that the unbiased impartial vibe going round. Have they created the magic of E39 with the G1X?

 

[HMS]

HOT!

the pure excellence looks better in darker colours, especially in this beautiful (ruby black colour?), but i am still not digging that chrome piece connecting the two exhaust pipes. way too much IMO :/

 

[Merc1]

So as I exit the North Dallas Tollway I notice nothing but BMWs, so yep I must be in right neighborhood lol. The evening preview of the BMW 7-Series was held at a private estate in Preston Hollow, a really $$$ area in North Dallas. Amazing collection of BMWs all over the grass and street to maximize what little parking area was available. Liz (my 650i) fit right in.

After registering and being relieved of my cell phone I entered the house, well estate. In the back beyond the pool area was the 7er under a cape. After a seemingly endless video and speech the car was finally unveiled. It was a darker color non M-Sport pack car. The styling isn't dramatically different from the old 7er, but it is much sleeker. The tech on board is pretty much the same as the S-Class, particularly the perfuming option and the autonomous driving features. Now that hand gesture control is the shite, a little gimmicky, but once you use it you will likely miss it in a car that doesn't have it. The interior is definitely richer and more inviting this time around. The leather, wood/aluminum work is exquisite and it appears to be real metal, not painted plastic. Then as we poured over the 7er on display we're told that there is a 7er M-Sport model in the garage! So I walked around to see that one, looks better in person than in pics for sure. I can't tell you what it is like to be at an even like this without being able to take a picture of anything. The M Sport is definitely more dynamic and hides it's bulk better than the standard car.

Overall impressive car, but IMO it doesn't displace the leader until we see how it drives. The U.S. won't be getting the auto parking feature, blame the feds for that. It wasn't even mentioned! I had to ask about it. No SWB car this time around and the 750i, (no "L") is automatically the LWB in the U.S. Really don't like that, but that is a small detail. For me I'll wait until the next gen 5er and 6er arrive with the tech I saw tonight.

A few odds and ends:

I shook hands with the CEO of BMW North America, Ludwig Willisch - Blue suit, Gucci loafers - Sharp guy.

The rear seat has a removable ipad basically. Loved that. You just drop the pad in place and two clamps from the side grab it without you even noticing it. Really slick.

Active grille shutters, didn't know BMW had that until tonight. Unlike the C-Class, the BMW 7er's shutters look good open or closed.

The food served was fcuking amazing. Truly classy.

The SWB car was dropped for lack of interest, per one of the reps. I simply don't believe that with all the 750i models I see on the roads.

On sale in late October.

M

 

[klier]

Overall impressive car, but IMO it doesn't displace the leader until we see how it drives.

Displace and replace.

 

[Human]

Now that hand gesture control is the shite, a little gimmicky, but once you use it you will likely miss it in a car that doesn't have it

What I really dig about the hand gesture control is OCD myself: You don't have to touch your controls with dirty, oily or damp fingers = fingerprint free controls and hang down centre console. Yes, I wash my hands every time before I get behind the wheel and if not possible there's wet-wipes in the cubby and a micro-fibre cloth also to wipe the hands. Still natural oils from the skin gets on the buttons etc. irrespective the OCD. Then I have to clean the buttons/controls with another damp micro-fibre cloth...tiresome - me! LOL @ myself...