Autoblog

BMW's future flagship 7-Series sedan has been spotted in Melbourne, Australia on its way back from a photo shoot. Not due until 2009, this all-new platform will carry BMW's internal designation F01/F02 (the F02 is the long-wheelbase model). It is expected to go into production later this year with cars rolling into showrooms shortly thereafter.

We've seen other spy shots of the 7-Series, however these latest shots are indicative of a vehicle in near-finished form. The exterior and interior appear complete, as well. While we still aren't seeing clear shots of the exterior, it has been widely rumored that the new 7-Series will be a departure from the current Bangle-designed sedan, with styling reported to look much like the BMW CS Concept. BMW may show us its new 7-Series as early as September at the Paris Auto Show. Of course, Autoblog will be there. Thanks for the tip Mike S!

[Source: Carpoint]

Click the image above for a 60-shot high-res gallery

The BMW X6 production concept CUV blends the looks and driving dynamics that aficionados expect with the high seating position and extra cargo space of a crossover. The X6 appears to be more of a fashion statement than it is a fully functioning "Sport Activity Vehicle," as that steeply raked butt dooesn't look like it can hold too many golf bags inside.

One look at the X6 reveal comments shows how polarizing the big utility "coupe" is, but the video of the X6 after the jump makes the concept look like a world-beater. Chris Bangle and his design team give us a peek at the new sports crossover, as well as the thinking behind BMW's next big idea. Take a look after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

The build-up to the debut of the BMW X6 is nigh, and in addition to the de-camo'd mule that was spied earlier today, the boys from Bavaria have decided to let Chris Bangle explain the design ethos of the new SAV in front of a cloaked concept.

Mr. Bangle goes into detail over the six-minute flick about what BMW's aim for the X6 is, who it's targeting and what kind of capabilities we should expect from this 'ute in coupe's clothing. He even says that it might have some off-road prowess. We shall see.

In the meantime, check out the BMW-produced video after the jump and keep tabs on all the unveilings from the IAA in Frankfurt here.

[Source: BMW]

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 joke name, at least among car geeks, the more subtly styled 7 appears to be taking the more conservative road, leaving rival Mercedes alone on the cutting edge, or the cutting room floor depending on your perspective. Indeed, with the new S-class now more closely resembling its big brother Maybach, this 7-series update might actually appear old-fashioned to some.

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]

On display this week at the Top Marques auto show in Monaco is this extravagant one-off by Italian coachbuilders Walter Faralli (right, above) & Luca Mazzanti (left). Although pictures of the car are all over the net this week, it actually debuted in September 2005 at the Gran Premio Automobilistico di Roma.

The Antas GT is at the opposite end of the car-building spectrum from the Caparo T1, also on display in Monaco. While the T1 is a pure expression of form following function, the Antas is rolling sculpture, with its roadgoing performance secondary to the expression of historic design themes of the 1930's and 1950's. With a nod to its Italian roots, the Antas gets its name from the ancient Etruscan word for "Eagle."

Even the engine bay plays a part, scorning fuel injection for the crowning touch of the chrome intake trumpets of four two-barrel Weber carbs - the classic performance statement of the '50s and '60s brought back to life.

The Antas wasn't "designed" in the way that Chris Bangle or J Mays probably thinks of design, it was drawn. In the words of Faralli & Mazzanti, "Nothing was developed by computer; everything came from the heart, from the imagination and the capable hands of experts."

Whether or not you think the Antas is a beautiful car, it's nice to know that the automotive world still has a place for artists like Faralli & Mazzanti. More pictures after the jump, and check out the extensive galleries at the F&M website, here.

[Source: Progettofem.it]