6 + 7 = smitten: BMW 7-Series goes under the knife
We just showed you spy shots of a heavily disguised 7-series a couple of weeks ago, but here is an artist's interpretation of the new 7 in the raw. With an oh-so-sexy 6-series nose grafted to the formidable sedan, it makes quite an impression. Losing some of the flame-surfacing that Chris Bangle has made into a household On the market since 2002, with a nip tuck in '05, the current 7-series has been praised for everything except its looks, and BMW has decided 2008 is the time to change that. Everybody seems to refer to this redesign as a toned-down shape for BMW, but the truth is that it is at the same time sexier and more elegant, making the 7 look more like the new 3- and 6-series, which isn't a bad thing at all. Click the read link for more photos and info.
[Source: Auto Express]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mr. Orange 1:36PM (9/29/2006)
I love the way the new 3's look, but that 7 almost looks like a extended Volvo
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exst 1:44PM (9/29/2006)
I don't know. There is something missing in this new redesign. Even though old 7 series didn't look too good, it had a certain character of its own, but this one seams a bit... ordinary and shapeless.
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Noah 1:46PM (9/29/2006)
I very much like Chris Bangle's style.
--Noah
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Andrew 2:01PM (9/29/2006)
I agree with 2 and 3. I think the current version is pretty hot. It has some of the daring styling elements of the "controversial" 2002 model, but the slightly revised nose and tail for 2005 really gave it just the right touch for me. As if I'll ever be buying anything that expensive anyway, but there's my two cents.
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Gary 8:28PM (9/29/2006)
I really prefer the 2002 styling. I agree the new one looks bland.
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Amit 2:16PM (9/29/2006)
Looks tame. Seems like it was designed before the current 3-series. Would have been appropriate as the 2002 7-series exterior. Maybe what's inside is more important for people buying a 7-series or an S-class. But a new/interesting exterior definitely matters when you are trying to impress people.
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Josh 2:17PM (9/29/2006)
Quote:
On the market since 2002, with a nip tuck in '05, the current 7-series has been praised for everything except its looks.
End quote.
I don't think the iDrive system got much praise from anybody.
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DJ 2:36PM (9/29/2006)
When we were shopping for my wife's car, I didn't even put the 7 on our list because of iDrive, even though I really like how they have tweaked the styling. A neighbor who has the 750i loves everything about BUT iDrive. For the same reason, the new X5 won't be on my list for my next vehicle.
If they can get rid of it once and for all, I would consider it in the future.
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mike 3:01PM (9/29/2006)
Looks set to be much better than the current one, which by the way, is already the best in its class imo.
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leo 4:04PM (9/29/2006)
I agree with #1,
that black one does resemble a volvo S80, especially from a 3/4 veiw from behind
and this is why M-B rules, they never know how to shy away, they are on the leading edge of styling adn BMW bettter get a hold of some of them so they can re-work the ne wBMW line (exception to the 3-series)
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G 3:49PM (9/29/2006)
BMW's on the road to recovery. Not there yet, but on the road.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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Steve Lang 3:54PM (9/29/2006)
I must be the only person on the Internet who likes the 7 right now. But regardless, the current 7 series has done very well in sales, hasn't it? (grouping the original and refresh together since they are so close.)
The new 7 looks fine, but does seem less distinctive. I'd rather they have just gone with a brand new design, than one that seems like a toned-down older version.
If this one is more critically well-received, it will be interesting to see how sales proceed. It will certainly offend less, but will it draw less attention overall too?
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Jason 5:26PM (9/29/2006)
Looks pretty plain upfront. I don't think this will be the final product.
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Adrian 5:41PM (9/29/2006)
Please explain to me what part of "artist's interpretation" you people don't get? These aren't the official photos. The real Bimmer may look nothing like this. No real photos of this car exist (at least not without masking). Dammit people, THINK!!
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Mike 8:04PM (9/30/2006)
I think when the production version comes out it won't look like that rendering. I think the artist took too many liberties when they designed the headlights and the hood
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Astralis 11:16PM (9/29/2006)
Can you say "vanilla"?
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Chris 1:27AM (9/30/2006)
I don't think Bangle should attract so much criticism as he's been getting for his models. He's made BMW a lot more vibrant than it used to be. Perhaps some of the understatement has gone with it but that's part of a more pronounced modern evolution of the brand. '
In any case the artist impression looks barely different from what it currently is - which if I may say still looks the part. The current 7 is a nice, modern and fresh design while still looking corporate and certainly better than the s-class it rivals.
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RMC 12:53PM (9/30/2006)
Keyword "artist's interpretation" - this PS has nothing to do with the real 7 out in 2008 which i believe will be a winner.
#10 you are not alone
#7 then you won't ever be riding the best - iDrive is trendsettingly here to stay.
Bangle to head of design was one smart promotion for BMW. over
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jamie 6:52PM (10/01/2006)
I like it!
Finally it appears that Bangle has mangled his last BMW and is on the road to recovery from his chronic myopic eyesores.
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