Spy Shots: Next-gen BMW 7-Series showing almost everything
by Dan Roth on Apr 3rd 2008 at 8:57AM 
BMW's current E65/66 7-Series has been roundly bashed since its introduction in 2002, and it's creeping up on retirement. Whether it was deserving of all the uproar or not is down to taste, but following up the classically styled E38 while also making a turn toward a new ethos is a 1-2 punch of controversy. BMW's finally grown into its flame surfacing, and the 2009 7-Series has been nabbed in its peculiar paisley camouflage. Overhangs are still short like on the current car, and it looks like the headlamps might possibly be 5-Series inspired. Things are conservative and clean down the flanks, and we think it's handsome. The bustle trunk of the current 7 has been one of the biggest bones of contention, and from what we can make out, it's been treated to significant rhinoplasty. We'll have to wait and see, but we sincerely hope the unmasked car's taillights don't bear the same resemblance to a 2002 Maxima that we're seeing in the spy shots. Squinting and ignoring the black tape has us predicting that 2009 will be the year the BMW 7-Series gets is sexy back, even if they graft Trabant blinkers to its tukas.
[Source: Motive Mag, Photo: Auto Zeitung]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
cameron42985 9:07AM (4/03/2008)
Seems to have that 4-door coupe look to it. Like the Rapide. Long nose and almost no trunk.
I like it.
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Dan 9:08AM (4/03/2008)
Where's the flame styling?
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Dude 9:26AM (4/03/2008)
Thankfully it's gone along with the Bangle butt!
FSM 9:08AM (4/03/2008)
Very Volvoesque. I think I prefer the current design.
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zreeb 9:16AM (4/03/2008)
Yep, kinda boring.
After seeing the CS concept, I thought it was going to be much more impressive.
TBlueMax 9:31AM (4/03/2008)
You know, for as much as people griped about the design of the current 7-series when it was released a few years ago and then eased up when the mid-cycle facelift was introduced that turned the scowling front fascia into a smiling front fascia and added some additional lights to the rear - I actually liked that original iteration, scowling front end and bustled up rear with just a few lights. The design was muscular and distinctive and looked positively menacing in black. This was perhaps too much a transition from the strong and svelte shape of the previous generation, but one that was immediately recognizable and had a ton of character.
But what do I know, I drive a 2002 Maxima and actually like my car's taillights.
almost Dr. G.. 9:59AM (4/03/2008)
tbluemax,
i had a 2003 maxima and i didnt like the taillights, but the rest of the car flat out amazed me. i miss it :(
as for the 7 series, it seemed to grow on everyone quite well. i hated it at first but then grew to love the design. this seems like a step backwards although im sure itll be a hit too.
k.w.a 12:51PM (4/03/2008)
i liked the 02's better than then 05's as well. the facelifted 7 series just looked watered down, as if BMW was apologizing for daring to be unconventional.
Even though i like the "Bangle-ized" 7 series i do admit BMW could work a little more on elegance, so hopefully the next generation will be just as unconventional but classy as well. the CS concept is a great place to start for inspiration
rpm773 9:23AM (4/03/2008)
When one looks past the aesthetic issues with the current 7-series (odd, folded body panels, granny glasses headlamps), it really just looks like a large 3 series.
It seems that this new one is following that lead as well. While the 3 series is fine enough, a larger version of it seems kind of boring. I miss the E38
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Alex 9:47AM (4/03/2008)
While i'll agree that this new one is an improvement, i would hardly consider this "getting its sexy back". It looks quite a bit conservative and business executive. Granted that is the target audience so the design works well for it. I just wouldn't call it "sexy".
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nastinupe 11:12AM (4/03/2008)
I miss the Pre-2002 7 series... especially the 2001's with the James Bond 5-Star wheels. I believe that the pointed nose is what made that car so hot... just like the 850i.
I owned a 2002 M3 Convertible and I loved the shape of that car. I'm not so hype about the current M3. It's a nice car, but just not as sexy. In fact, BMW just isn't doing for me anymore. I'm actually starting to like Audi more now. I love the current A8. It kind of reminds me of the old BMW 7 series for some reason.
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halogenrepublic 11:27AM (4/03/2008)
I am a 100% in agreement. I also think that the Audi A8L is the most elegant looking executive car. Dare I say, "better than the current Mercedes S-class in the style department."
Jordan 10:49AM (4/03/2008)
While a lot people hate the styling of the E65. I have always liked it. It is in fact the car that started making me like BMW's. Before Bangle's styling, the cars while good looking, just weren't that exciting to me. Now I love all the current BMW lineup. I sure hope the new F01 7 series won't be as boring as this mule looks to be, or I can see a loss of sales for BMW. Because love the styling or hate the stying of the E65, it has been the best selling 7 series in history, I think because of its look at me styling.
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devtec 11:46AM (4/03/2008)
Rhinoplasty refers to a nosejob, so I wouldn't say the Bangle butt got a rhinoplasty.
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Gregg 11:36AM (4/03/2008)
To call this coupe-like styling seems a real stretch. It really does look like a big 3 series. Conservative, but tasteful and inoffensive lines. Seems that is what a lot of luxury sedan buyers seek (yes, the A8 has a nice design, but little wow factor), so BMW is throwing in the daring towel. BMWs sell well and adding clean but conservative style will only help sales.
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Scott 12:19PM (4/03/2008)
"BMWs sell well and adding clean but conservative style will only help sales."
BMW sales *increased* after Bangle introduced flame surfacing (and so did the bashing.) Thus the corollary would be that sales would decrease if they went back to a more conservative approach.
Gregg 12:25PM (4/03/2008)
Perhaps, Scott. Except we don't really know if the sales increase was due to the Bangle styling or other factors (like for example if it was a better car than the competition). That Bangle butt and sales increase are correlated doesn't allow us to draw any conclusions by itself.
Franz 12:01PM (4/03/2008)
Looks good so far to me.
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freckles 12:32PM (4/03/2008)
i found this pic, don't know how old it is
http://image.automobilemag.com/f/future_cars/2008/6699353/0609_x+2009_bmw_7_series+front.jpg
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Hotrod 2:09PM (4/03/2008)
Nice find. If that's the way it'll look, then its not so bad.