7 Series [Spy shots] BMW 7er (G11) Spy Pics & Info

[klier]

I am driving behind F15 X5 right now! Just lovely!
Really hope you're right Eni, because I am not feeling it yet. It really does look like it has the E65 bones in the airport pics

And 80k units per year will be very hard if we look at those sales numbers. 7er has never been even close to that.

 

[martinbo]

You should work for us...

Who's "us"?

 

[tomazino]

with HQ pic, and especially IRL, this will be very good. This is what I see from this photo:

 

[bmwownage]

One of the problem why this has underwhelmed imo is because with the E65 and F01, those models marked the first of a new design theme, there was some wow factor whereas this time round, the 3d connected kidneys thing came from the F30, interior arguably is heavily influenced by the F30's and the rear lights, between the F30 and now, had too many iterations already with so many models that there is not much (if any) novelty here at all, while they refused to be more radical.

When will we see the next revolution, or at least a bigger change to the design theme? To begin with the next 3 series?

I just hope BMW won't be left behind. MB and Audi seemingly wants to bring the best looking products onto the market while BMW appears to be either sandbagging, or too conservative. I hope at least, that they keep their Ultimate Driving Machine status at the top of the competition.

 

[Mr Robert]

Sheesh, so many naysayers. And all putting the S-Class up on a pedestal like it's the second coming.

It's the seventh coming - get it right, heathen.

 

[Rainer271]

I'm sure many who have now a negative mindset about the G11 will change their opinion after official pics are released.

 

[martinbo]

It's the seventh coming - get it right, heathen.

Magnificent.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

There are few points I'd like touch on that have been discussed in the last few pages and so many thoughts in my mind, let's see if I can sort them out...

Right now, the exterior design...I'll reserve judgment until better pics become available.

Interior-wise, my main issue is that with each successive generation, from E38 to E65 and from E65 to F01, there's been a conscious effort to really advance the design language in the interior. BMW has used tried-and-true materials (leather, wood, aluminum, etc.) that have been used by their competitors, but it was done in a way that yielded a unique environment that was at once luxurious and minimalist. This would then dictate the interior design language across the range from the 6er on down. In the G11, the material and quality is definitely there, but it's innovation on how it is presented is defintely missing from what I can tell. In the 7er, I am not looking for "wow," per se, but I am looking for a bit of an "occasion." To put it in another way since many of us are aviation geeks, when I step in the 7er I am looking for Etihad Residence, and not Emirates Suites.

Now there was a point that was made that the 7er was intentionally held back as to not encroach on the "9er." That's just a terrible excuse, IMO. While the 7er does not have the lore of an S-class (very few cars do, i.e. BMW 3er), it's still very well established in the BMW family. Why would BMW want to dumb it down to make room for the "9er?" Has the 9er even been greenlit? What if there's economic calamity, i.e. Russia's currency dropping like a stone, etc.? That would leave the 7er rather vulnerable and the 9er especially more vulnerable. And I bet you that of the 5 CEOs who would be potential high-end BMW sedan buyers, 4 would opt for the 7er, and the 5th would opt for the 9er. And that's because 7er is pricy as it is and there will be more produced whereas "9er" will be even pricier and more limited numbers produced, as was stated elsewhere on this forum.

 

[Mars1965]

Satisfaction comes with expectations. After the brilliant VFL my expectations were high. Therefore I have some mixed feelings.

Exterior: I like the overall design, it's dynamic, it has nice proportions, it has stance..... As we can not see all details according to "the insiders" I am confident there is nothing wrong with it. It is just that it is missing that "extra" I was hoping for. Something new, like the VFL.

Interior: here my expectations were high after the VFL. They were at the bottom after seeing the first spy pics. Now I am still not convinced. I think it is a missed opportunity. Don't like the bling bling at all. Dash-layout is to ordinary for me.

Overall. It is just nice but nothing special IMO. I guess I was hoping for more.

 

[klier]

Interior-wise, my main issue is that with each successive generation, from E38 to E65 and from E65 to F01, there's been a conscious effort to really advance the design language in the interior. BMW has used tried-and-true materials (leather, wood, aluminum, etc.) that have been used by their competitors, but it was done in a way that yielded a unique environment that was at once luxurious and minimalist. This would then dictate the interior design language across the range from the 6er on down. In the G11, the material and quality is definitely there, but it's innovation on how it is presented is defintely missing from what I can tell. In the 7er, I am not looking for "wow," per se, but I am looking for a bit of an "occasion." To put it in another way since many of us are aviation geeks, when I step in the 7er I am looking for Etihad Residence, and not Emirates Suites.

I see what you mean, but like the exterior I'd just wait until they show us something they actually want us to show. This interior is early pre production, and most likely not meant to excite our senses.

And Emirates Suites are good enough, most people fly Easyjet to begin with

There are few points I'd like touch on that have been discussed in the last few pages...

You can also swipe through the air, or use iDrive

 

[EnI]

This interior is early pre production, and most likely not meant to excite our senses.

No it is not. It's very much IT.

I don't know where people see "cheap" in that pic. Sure the design is simple & well-known but the fit&finish look superb, and so are the materials. There are barely any bare plastic anywhere! It's all metal, wood, leather, acrylic glass and ceramics. Quite an upgrade compared to F01 and very much on W222 level - although the design isn't as opulent & baroque.

"Cheap door panels" are jot cheap at all ... perhaps the color combination is misleading but there is hardly any plastic part there - its all metal, wood and TONS of leather.

Milk-ish panel around the iDrive knob & shifter also isn't plastic!

Sure the design is "common" - very much an evolution of F01 with elements seen in eg. F30 3er - but the layout is still nice.

I guess most complaints here are about the commonness of design / styling. The absence of exclusivity & novelty. 7er is BMW's largest sedan ... but soon not a flagship anymore. Exclusivity will be offered in the new flagship. Some opting for "9er" over 7er? Even better since 9er will be more expensive & even more profitable (due modular architecture).

Highlights within core BMW brand will soon be redirected ... form X5 to X7. From 7er to 9er. From Z4 to Z6 etc. New flagships are coming ...

 

[klier]

No it is not. It's very much IT.

I know this is it, but it also is a pre production car as the F01 is still rolling off the production line. The trim and visual appearance likely isn't the most important part here?

 

[SCOTT27]

"Highlights within core BMW brand will soon be redirected ... form X5 to X7. From 7er to 9er. From Z4 to Z6 etc. New flagships are coming ..."

The X7 starts the push to enter new markets above the 7er which we should start to see prototypes around late Spring early Summer.
Although we shall see another "interpretation" of the vision of Future Luxury in Shanghai in April.
But don't miss next weeks news for CES.

 

[klier]

^ But wasn't it decided that the X7 wouldn't use the G11 platform? What platform will it be based on? Sorry for the off topic.

 

[SKY]

What is the CES Concept previewing?

Btw, @EnI I doubt any critic comment about the interior is about its quality. I think everybody trusts BMW on this regard.

 

[SCOTT27]

The X7 is on 35up/OKL as it shares the Weight load bearing structure of CFRP as the rest of the 35up cars.

The chassis architecture with Toyota is a variation of 35up as BMW are the lead developers the difference is that it features extensively more CFRP due to the pooling of both BMW and Toyota resources. Which is why this will also be used for the 6er it results in a 250 KG drop in weight over today's F13.

 

[SCOTT27]

What is the CES Concept previewing?

Btw, @EnI I doubt any critic comment about the interior is about its quality. I think everybody trusts BMW on this regard.

A different kind of Light.

 

[klier]

The X7 is on 35up/OKL as it shares the Weight load bearing structure of CFRP as the rest of the 35up cars.

The chassis architecture with Toyota is a variation of 35up as BMW are the lead developers the difference is that it features extensively more CFRP due to the pooling of both BMW and Toyota resources. Which is why this will also be used for the 6er it results in a 250 KG drop in weight over today's F13.

Compared to the G11?
Technology wise the future shines so very bright.

A different kind of Light.

BMW featuring Philips

 

[SCOTT27]

Alth

I know this is it, but it also is a pre production car as the F01 is still rolling off the production line. The trim and visual appearance likely isn't the most important part here?

Although it is an advanced production prototype if you were to go and sit in that car right now then you would have no issues with quality or fit and finish. These advanced prototypes , the first off a special production line are sent in order to brief distribution networks , Service centres etc so the car must be perfect.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

BMW's revamped theme for the new 7 series.