Taking the lessons they've learned from creating the i3's body to heart, BMW is moving forward with the development of this, the new 7 Series. Codenamed the G11, it will be the first of its kind, and possibly the lightest of its kind as well.
This CFRP-infused rival for the new S-Class will, just like the Merc, try to be more frugal than ever. A brand new eDrive plug-in hybrid system with a decent pure-EV mode is being developed and will make the current ActiveHybrid7 look like its from the stone age.
We caught up with the development team that's working on the 2016 model year 7 Series in Germany. The prototype seem to have adopted a lot of series production car body panels, but still doesn't have headlights or taillights.
By the time the new 7er will be ready, it will receive its power from the new B family of engines. The N55 3-liter in the 535i, for example, will be replaced by the B58 having the same displacement, but slightly better power and economy. The 520i's engine meanwhile will also be changed to the 192 hp unit that's just been revealed for the MINI Cooper S.
Either way, we still have a lot of waiting to do before the new BMW 7er makes its debut, probably in mid 2015.
We caught up with the development team that's working on the 2016 model year 7 Series in Germany. The prototype seem to have adopted a lot of series production car body panels, but still doesn't have headlights or taillights.
By the time the new 7er will be ready, it will receive its power from the new B family of engines. The N55 3-liter in the 535i, for example, will be replaced by the B58 having the same displacement, but slightly better power and economy. The 520i's engine meanwhile will also be changed to the 192 hp unit that's just been revealed for the MINI Cooper S.
Either way, we still have a lot of waiting to do before the new BMW 7er makes its debut, probably in mid 2015.