7 Series (F01/F02/F03/F04) [Spy Shots] BMW (F01) 7-Series Facelift (Spy pics & info)

[deity]

I think the big three are all worried to put something above their existing flagships at this moment.

 

[klier]

^ Mercedes is never worried about those things. Instead of talking, they always just do it. Success or no success.

Well guys we cannot forget BMW is a german company. And We all know germans...

Not sure what you mean with that?

 

[EnI]

7er LCI press release will be out this week. Countdown begins.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Well guys we cannot forget BMW is a german company. And We all know germans...

I sure would love to know what you mean.

 

[Centurion]

7er LCI press release will be out this week. Countdown begins.

Excellent despite the fact that I'm not expecting major exterior revisions given how well sculptured the car. Though a few subtle changes to the headlight units and rear graphics should give it a few extra years.

The M-Pack however needs a rethink given how many I've seen that have chosen to paint the the chrome details in body finish.

 

[SKY]

With germans I mean they have their strict plans and don´t use to change them very much. To me the CS strategy showed this clearly. The wanted the ED brand over all and the with the financial crisis they killed the CS proyect. I think more fleixibility would have meant the CS would be on sale right now.

 

[EnI]

Expect: revised bumper designs, revamped & new engines, 8-speed automatic gearbox for all models, ECO-PRO function, LED corona rings with LED "eyebrow", optional full-LED headlights, turn indicators in side mirrors, optional full-black-panel gauges, updated iDrive with new user interface, new ConnectedDrive features, optional B&O sound system, new optional Individual features, new trims + colors + wheels etc etc etc

The M-Pack however needs a rethink given how many I've seen that have chosen to paint the the chrome details in body finish.

Dark chrome inserts have been already available - coming with BMW Individual High-gloss Shadow Line package (code: 760; usually optional feature when M package is ordered).

Those dark chrome inserts blend much better with the bumper than the shining chrome inserts. So I guess some customers pick shining chrome inserts because they like them. IMHO dark chrome inserts look MUCH better. Yet some obviously prefer shining stuff.

 

[Centurion]

Those dark chrome inserts blend much better with the bumper than the shining chrome inserts.

That makes us two. I don't mind chrome details but when they are so large that they resemble plasters for blisters on a bruised heel from wearing new shoes, than the sportiness becomes lost in translation.

 

[EnI]

As said: customers have an option to pick dark chrome inserts instead of shining chrome ones. But for some shining chrome = epitome of automotive luxury, and pick shining inserts instead. Yet such move hurt the sporty image of M Package IMO.

I guess it would be more appropriate to offer dark chrome as standard, and shining ones as an option. But BMW know the business tricks ... offering the less appealing stuff as standard, and more appealing stuff as a payable option.

I, in general, am not a fan of shining chrome stuff on cars. I find them too cocky. Especially these days when even the sub-compact cars features chrome / galvanized exterior trim & decoration. It just doesn't right. Especially when the general design of that certain car screams sportiness.

 

[deity]

^ Mercedes is never worried about those things. Instead of talking, they always just do it. Success or no success.

Merc is definitely the boldest out of the three when it comes to creating niche markets, but in this case, they also have the most to lose. If they put something that's four-door above the S-Class, then they lose their historical, iconic flagship that's done well for the company practically since its inception. Not only will there be cannibalizing in sales, it also becomes a marketing/R&D nightmare when the S Class is no longer the first to debut the latest and greatest. And for a luxury automaker, it doesn't make complete sense to me for the flagship to be a four-door coupe as opposed to a sedan.

BMW and Audi have "less" iconic flagships (please don't kill me for this), so a CS/A9 would be perfect for them IMO.

 

[cracker123]

Hoping the 7 LCI will be released tomorrow

 

[EnI]

Perhaps a leak. Few more day for the official press release.

 

[bmw 745d]

I have seen the 7 F01 LCI in real life and without camoflage. And I can tell you that there hasn't been changed so much as you would expect. But it looks very good.

 

[bmwownage]

Not sure if it has anything to do with Germans, I thought Euro companies should have a longer term view than anyone else in the world? I just think BMW is playing too safe, it's as if they don't have confidence in their brand in rolling out something totally new that will attract buyers. The i-cars, how long has it been since the first concept? This is probably an investment they knew they have to make, but stuff like the CS, or the X-coupe some years back, simply disappeared, and continued its way to make SUVs and heavy sedans. I mean these core models must be there, but why do they think they can't sell other things other than heavy sedans and coupes?

 

[Human]

Not sure if it has anything to do with Germans, I thought Euro companies should have a longer term view than anyone else in the world? I just think BMW is playing too safe, it's as if they don't have confidence in their brand in rolling out something totally new that will attract buyers. The i-cars, how long has it been since the first concept? This is probably an investment they knew they have to make, but stuff like the CS, or the X-coupe some years back, simply disappeared, and continued its way to make SUVs and heavy sedans. I mean these core models must be there, but why do they think they can't sell other things other than heavy sedans and coupes?

I do understand the fundamentals of BMW-i and all the sustainability propaganda + investment return etc. But I agree all the way! i-cars is long term strategy and I mean loooooooooooooooong term. It's not going to make ANY inroads now and not in the next decade nor is it going to be profitable short term. China may buy big into i-cars later on, but for now BMW needs to cash-in on desirable niche and halo products, brand builders and lighter internal combustion - driving machines IMO

 

[Centurion]

This is probably an investment they knew they have to make, but stuff like the CS, or the X-coupe some years back, simply disappeared, and continued its way to make SUVs and heavy sedans.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the X-Coupe materialised as the 1er Coupe.

 

[klier]

You're right. A lot of design went to the previous 1er. But still the X coupe was a real crossover, not simply a coupe

I have seen the 7 F01 LCI in real life and without camoflage. And I can tell you that there hasn't been changed so much as you would expect. But it looks very good.

Nobody is expecting much change. All the car needs are some small touches, like LED lights, new bumpers, new rims, new colors and small stuff like that.. And of course the technical stuff like the 8 speed, N63 TÜ, B&O, etc.

 

[Levi68]

All the car needs are some small touches, like LED lights, new bumpers, new rims, new colors and small stuff like that.. And of course the technical stuff like the 8 speed, N63 TÜ, B&O, etc.

Am I wrong or did you just mention the lack I always complain about ?

 

[EnI]

Nobody is expecting much change. All the car needs are some small touches, like LED lights, new bumpers, new rims, new colors and small stuff like that.. And of course the technical stuff like the 8 speed, N63 TÜ, B&O, etc.

And that's exactly what the car is getting with LCI.

 

[klier]

Am I wrong or did you just mention the lack I always complain about ?

In the 7er class it's very much needed. Not on the F20 or F30 as far as I am concerned. Would be nice to have them of course, but I don't miss them at all.