The gig was up on new year’s eve when the upcoming BMW 7 Series was photographed in production guise by someone somewhere in Belgium and since then, the world wasn’t exactly the same for Bimmerfiles. While some were excited about the new design, others were disappointed, myself included.
Moving on, we know that looks aren’t everything and that technical details are the ones that truly matter. Therefore, we’ll reserve judgment until we actually get to drive the new flagship luxury limousine from BMW.
In the mean time, a production-ready model was spotted testing in Spain, still wearing heavy camouflage. The headlights also featured the new design for the corona rings, a design that now follows a different line and that we can see implemented in future cars as well.
Up front we also noticed LED headlamps that will be standard (with laser lights being offered as an optional extra), the bigger kidney grilles compared to the current model and the sunroof.
Moving to the side, the car looks a bit bigger as well, with the same proportions left intact (short overhangs and the famous Hoffmeister kink included). Round the back, LED taillights are also noticeable as well as the new exhaust tailpipes.
The tech bits
Under the bonnet of the new models we’ll be seeing the new B family of engines, animating the entire range. The world is still waiting to see if a 2-liter mill will be introduced as well but we have to wait a little longer to see if that’s going to be the case.
In the meantime, 3-liter diesel and petrol engines will surely be used, with power ratings from around 320 HP to 400 and even more. A plug-in hybrid will surely be on the table as well as a 6-liter V12 and a 4.4-liter V8.
When it comes to shedding weight, usage of CFRP, aluminum and magnesium should take the toll down by up to 170 kg (375 lbs) in the same equipment line guise. That’s a drastic improvement to be honest and it will be felt in the car’s handling and efficiency.
Inside, you’ll be able to order the optional panoramic sunroof that wasn’t available for the 7er so far, as well as the new iDrive system with a touchscreen and gesture recognition, new interactive screens and plenty more.
Parking the car will be doable via the remote control from a distance and we might even see the new 7er being capable of looking for a parking space on its own, picking us up from where we parted ways with our car.
Expect to see the new 7er in the metal for the first time at Frankfurt later this year.
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