Spy Shots: 2009 BMW 7-series
by Damon Lavrinc on Jun 21st 2007 at 8:04AM 
Although the BMW 7-series has undergone some mild styling tweaks over the past few years, it seems that more is on the way, all in an effort to tighten the reigns of the mangled Bangled versions that caused drivers to bleed from their eyes.Although some hope that the Concept CS will influence future 7s, the 2009 model will be more of an evolution, likely drawing cues from the redesigned 3-series. But the real changes are likely to come from underneath.
A longer wheelbase, partnered with a wider track, will be utilized to keep with BMW's handling ethos, while new engine choices, including a hybrid and twin-turbo V8 diesel will provide motivation. A new ZF eight-speed gearbox is almost certain, along with a revised iDrive system and several new safety features.
Look out for the refresh in 2009, with a full redesign sometime next decade.
[Source: Autogepot via Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
cappuccino 8:23AM (6/21/2007)
no offense to the beamer 7 series..
but not really attracted to those kind of cars..
am I not old enough yet?
Reply
Jason 8:27AM (6/21/2007)
#1 It's "Bimmer"
#2 You must not be. I'm 24, but I'd rock a 7 series all day long.
cappuccino 8:44AM (6/21/2007)
hmm. thx for the correction Jason..
....yah I guess it's just preference.
I just can't imagine myself driving a car that's
not a manual or w/o tiptronic.
Taomyn 9:34AM (6/21/2007)
Not it's not, it's "beemer".
"bimmer" would be pronounced like "zimmer" or "dimmer" i.e. a short "i" sound like "in", not an "e" sound like "bee".
Jason 10:48AM (6/21/2007)
Sorry Taomyn - you're wrong. Ask the thousands of people at bimmerforums.com.
FermitTheKrog 8:28AM (6/21/2007)
I like the "all dinged up baseball bat to the hood" look. Make's it look tough. Hope they keep it.
Reply
robert bell 9:15AM (6/21/2007)
OK, Autoblog loves to bash Bangle but the more "refined" the 7 becomes the more it looks like a puffed up 3. For my seventy plus grand I want something more distinctive. the CS can't come fast enough if BMW's styling is to keep pace with its leadership in engineering.
Reply
Andrew 9:14AM (6/21/2007)
almost looks like a cadillac without the bmw symbol on the grille =P
i'd take an A8 over the 7 though - i think it's way classier looking
Reply
Whydrive 10:37AM (6/21/2007)
Jason is correct. Bimmer is the reference used by most folks for their cars. Beemer is the reference to their motorcycles and not their cars.
What's funny is that while everyone bashes the exterior of the 7-series, especially the trunk, you see quite a few other automakers imitate many of the same styling cues (ahem, Toyota, Mercedes, Hyundai, etc).
We ought to wait and see what the styling changes bring about without all the camouflage tape before we pass judgment.
Reply
Gooch 11:05AM (6/21/2007)
When you hear or see someone refer to a BMW car as "beemer" or "beamer," you can pretty much figure that person doesn't know what he or she is talking about. I once asked a guy with an E36 M3 how he liked his car, and he said "It's the fastest beemer around! I love it!" I shook my head and walked away.
Whydrive, you're right -- Bimmer refers to the cars, Beemer refers to the motorcycles. So what were their aircraft motors called -- Boomers?
My favorite 7-Series was the first 750iL. Back in the day, I followed one in my A2 GTI from Orlando to Tampa on I-4 at speeds up to 105, and the big Bimmer was so planted and solid-looking. Its color was Bronzit -- that gorgeous BMW gold. Damn that was a good-looking car.
Reply
cappuccino 1:43PM (6/21/2007)
yup you're right. don't really know about BMW or Mercedes. Maybe I'm just to adamant about
the transmission when it comes to cars.
emehrkay 1:09PM (6/21/2007)
I must be the only one who feels that the first version of the current 7 was a great looking automobile. Very stylish, fast lines, and classy too. Throw the 19" sport wheels and you have a great looking big auto.
Reply
buster01 7:49PM (6/21/2007)
uh...you ARE the only one who thinks that the 7 is a good looking car. If it didn't have a BMW emblem on the hood nobody would be buying it. It would be laughed at as much as the Aztec if it wasn't a BMW. BMW should do a MAJOR redesign of the 7 soon!
don 10:19AM (6/22/2007)
Well, i would be the second, i much prefer the first look of the current generation to the facelift version (looks way too bland), it was aggressive, distinctive and the trunk was a not that bad, definetly in line with the general design. And i do think people would have bought it, exterior design will always be a matter of taste but the interior was of incredible well built and very luxurious (way better than the S Klasse i think) while the chassis and engines were outstanding, sounds like a good luxury car to me
bmoredlj 2:17PM (6/21/2007)
lose the hump in back...
http://picasaweb.google.com/bmoredlj/Pictures/photo#5078582998270565106
Reply
Andy 3:19PM (6/21/2007)
The 7 was ugly before Bangle, during Bangle, and after Bangle.
Reply