The prying lens of Mrs. Priddy and her minions captured the newest 7-series during a test run, naturally donning its prerequisite outerwear.The LLN crew gathered from the photos that the new seven will be 'toned down a bit,' compared to its Bangled elderly siblings, with a more subtle rear end and a revised fascia. We would certainly hope so, considering how much criticism was levied on the initial redesign of BMW's luxury sedan. Left Lane's notion that the new front end will draw inspiration from the 6-series may be a bit off, as the six was inspired by the seven and BMW may decide to evolve in a more mature manner, moving away from its original divisive design.
Judging by the previous comments of our readers, we'd assume that any changes would be welcomed.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
wilson britman @ Sep 16th 2006 5:05AM
Maybe you can cite a reference for it, but I'm not sure it's correct that the 6-series was inspired by the seven. The shape of the 645i (including the bangle butt) was shown in paris in 2000 as the Z9. The 745i was first shown sometime in 2001 as a 2002 model. I don't really know which one Bangle penned first, but the Z9 definitely saw daylight before the current 7-series did.
To my mind it wouldn't hurt for BMW to "sixify" the 7-series. Both have sold well, but the six seems to be much better loved. The seven (along with the five and the Z4) are too oddly proportioned.
Whydrive @ Sep 16th 2006 5:37AM
As much criticism the 7 has received from the media and journalists, the current generation of the 7 has far outsold the previous generation. The funny thing is as BMW tries to make the 7 more conservative, MB makes the S-class more "outrageous".
Eriq Cook @ Sep 16th 2006 6:48AM
Three years from now and the 7-series will look like that?
DPC car videos @ Sep 16th 2006 10:20AM
I never likes the current 7 series so I hope they changed it allot.
Zo @ Sep 16th 2006 10:31AM
#1 Note, Z4, M-roadster and M-Coupe have all been praised for their flame surfaces and considered the best implementation of the bangle-ism. Many reviewers who trashed the bangle look on other cars have praised it on the Z4 et al.
Damon Lavrinc @ Sep 16th 2006 10:48AM
Wilson - a while back, there was a documentary on SPEED that covered the design, development and manufacturing of the 6-series from start to finish. At the onset, they mentioned that the inspiration for the six was to make a luxury GT on par with their flagship sedan. That description was from Mr. Bangle himself.
anonymous coward @ Sep 16th 2006 11:14AM
The rear deck now looks like Bangle-Volvo offspring.
fuscob @ Sep 16th 2006 1:18PM
Why do the back lights look like the pre-mid-cycle version of the E65/E66 (current) 7-series? Those are 745 lights and they got rid of that little red-silver-red strip for the newer 750.
wilson britman @ Sep 16th 2006 4:27PM
Erm, I hate to belabor a trivial point Damon, but that doesn't mean that the current 7-series was the design inspiration for the six. I haven't seen that show, but I assume you're quoting correctly. In which case the inspiration was the notion of a high-end coupe (a la the MB CL), and not a specific car. I'm pretty sure the Z9 was the first public manifestation of flame surfacing.
Steve @ Sep 16th 2006 5:25PM
BMW creates the biggest junk on earth and calls them the ultimate driving machines.
BMW relies exclusively on marketing propaganda to support its F grade products.
The 7-series is no different. Driving dynamics is all media propaganda. Reality is totally different. Handling laga well behind its rivals, while it continues to waste time building more junk in england.
BMW has not contributed a single innovation that matters since the beginning and its almost 80 years now.
Honest people must expose this media propaganda and speak up against this massive cover-up.
Steve @ Sep 16th 2006 7:03PM
When these large hippos come out in the market, you can rely 100% that the media would call them glorious stallions.
The obesity epidemic is looming large.
Seven Lover @ Sep 16th 2006 9:53PM
I love my '06 750Li. I think the short wheel base one looks better, but I'm too tall for that. After a year, I still get a kick out of how great it looks to me. Normally that wears off after 3 months.
Thomas Chan @ Sep 17th 2006 11:11AM
Those who bashed BMW must be working for crap company called INFINITI!
leo @ Sep 17th 2006 11:10PM
still one ugly POS from BMW
the current S-class and even the A8 will still look better than te next 7 series and it is too big to even be considered an exciting car to drive.
I have driven the current one adn you feel as if you're in a large car adn changing lanes is a chore, so much for driving excitment.
even the new 3 series in now overweight adn I see no reson why anyone would get one in front of the G35. Before the reason was that teh lighter, smaller BMW was nimbler, nbow hey are too close to really matter anymore.
BMW seems to be going the way of the M-B, status symbol and is no longer the Ultimate Driving Machine
Ligor Manushi @ Sep 17th 2006 11:14PM
If I wanted to display my wealth in an overweight, extra large sedan, I'd get the S600.
BMW fake status symbol.
JarryHames @ Sep 18th 2006 8:01PM
BMW's are fun to drive and not to own. They are over-hyped and their designs have been a mess over the past few years. The current 7 Series and this upcoming (simply restyled) one are improvements over the last generation. People are very passionate about their BMWs. Yes, we all know that they're really a POS!
Gogee @ Sep 19th 2006 4:29PM
WOW. it is simple super machine! BMW 7 and so good, but far more beautiful!!! are there yet pictures???
jkjain @ Sep 23rd 2006 5:01PM
I own a 2006 750i. It is an exciting car and fun to drive. I have it for almost a year but I still love it as much as when it was all new.
tariq @ Sep 24th 2006 7:37AM
their are ppl who love cars. their are ppl who love bikes. their are ppl who love both. and their are ppl who hate one or both of them.
Steve seems to be the one who hates cars.
just read his comments here: http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/16/a-dream-fulfilled-lotus-elise-rentals-are-coming
his comments on the Beemers are even more outrageous.
"BMW creates the biggest junk on earth and calls them the ultimate driving machines."
have u ever driven the last Gen 5 series?
i have it. 530 full options its THE ultimate driving machine.
"BMW relies exclusively on marketing propaganda to support its F grade products."
M5 has muscle as well marketing
"The 7-series is no different."
true. 760 has marketing as well muscle
"Handling laga well behind its rivals"
i think u are talking about 3 series(plz note the sarcasm)
"BMW has not contributed a single innovation that matters since the beginning and its almost 80 years now."
u forgot active steering? wot about all the braking technologies in the new BMs? eg: the brakes are rubbed against somethinf to keep them dry during rain. otherwise its breaking would be compromised.
"Honest people must expose this media propaganda and speak up against this massive cover-up."
i hav exposed a propaganda from... whom? where do u work steve?
Steve @ Sep 30th 2006 12:30AM
Another great car coming...
I have three Bimmers and love them all. My 2000 740iL drives like a dream...my 97 328i 5 spd convertible I will never sell because it tears up the road like nothing else I have ever just "driven" and my x5 4.4i is awesome. Just put your foot nto it and it is true lust...
BMW makes GREAT cars, and has for a long time. They always will. Now quit talking and go drive one...