Advertisement
Find a Car
Go!

2009 BMW 7-Series Spied!

By Marty Padgett
Marty Padgett Marty Padgett
Editorial Director BIO
Marty Padgett is High Gear Media's Editorial Director, overseeing the words that skim across High Gear Media's portfolio of automotive destinations... More

LATEST ARTICLE
30 Days Of 2013 Ram 1500: Heading West
Our 30-Day 2013 Ram 1500 has made its way safely to our Little Rock bureau. If you're following our... Read More
  • #5LEADERBOARD RANK
  • 5166ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
  • 111COMMENTS POSTED

9 821 views Apr 3, 2008
Follow Marty

Article ImageEnlarge Photo
Article ImageEnlarge Photo


The wraps are coming off BMW’s next-generation 7-Series -- and we managed to get some revealing pictures of it near BMW’s Munich headquarters earlier today.

This is first time the Mercedes S-Class competitor can be seen without the heavy cladding that made the elegant sedan look like an ugly military tank. With its huge twin-kidney grille and the wrap-around headlights, the car mimics design elements of the X5 and X6 - but keeps the exclusive character the 7-Series is known for.

Though still disguised with a fake rear spoiler, it is clearly visible that the rear end and especially the trunk lid will become much more elegant compared to the current car’s back. In addition to the exterior updates, BMW will be introducing a new iDrive and – rumor has it – an eight-speed transmission.

The new 7‑Series will make its first public appearance at the Paris show later this year and will arrive as a 2009 model.--Brenda Priddy

Article ImageEnlarge Photo
Article ImageEnlarge Photo

Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (9)

  1. Ed Posted: 4/3/2008 5:48pm PDT

    From some angles it looks as "Bangle-d" as the current 7 and far less graceful than the previous gen 7 (95-01)

    But if they fit this one woth the excellent 3.0 DIESEL, as the previous gens were in EUROPE, I'd consider it.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. Bry Posted: 4/3/2008 6:55pm PDT

    Looks like a Lexus ran into a Mercedes!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. Wayne K Posted: 4/4/2008 7:46am PDT

    Wow, I'm a bit disappointed. The 7 series use to be one of my favorite cars. When the last redesign came, and the Bangle design ruined it, and this one just looks plain. At least with the current S-Class, Benz has a unique, GREAT looking car that doesn't just blend in.

    And either way, yes, I agree Ed, give us the Diesel!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. Shawn Posted: 4/4/2008 11:20am PDT

    Sounds like a contridiction Wayne K, you don't like the current 7, yet the new Mercedes stands out and does not blend in?

    First of all its a 3 box design, what seperates Lexus, Merc, and BMW is the details...and I like BMW details.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. Ed Posted: 4/4/2008 12:58pm PDT

    Shawn

    Not exactly a contradiction.

    Almost nobody likes the current 7 (since 2002, actually). The current 5 also has been Bangle-d, but to a lesser extent. The 7 was facelifted, but you know about lipstick on a pig..

    Re the S-class, I really liked the Politically incorrect 91-99 series, big heavy and now available dirt-cheap, but it is a bit too old to buy now. its successor, 2000-06 (or 05?) was terrible, not just smaller and whimpier, but the styling was really boring. The current S is better than its predecessor, while the current BMW 7 is much WORse than its predecessor (of whom I am the lucky owner of a 1998 740iL arctic silver)
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  6. Doug Posted: 4/4/2008 1:37pm PDT

    The funky "contact paper" and masking may be hiding some of the 7s best details. Try photoshopping some of these pics and you'll see there could be some nice lines. Especially notice the masking on the front end is hiding a very long and low front end.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  7. Craig Posted: 4/4/2008 2:37pm PDT

    This is like what Pontiac did with the GTO and G6. After so many years of getting flack for their designs, they get overly conservative (bland) with the new models. Who wants bland, especially at the top end? The 7's main competition, the S-Class, grabs your attention, while the 7 tucks you into bed.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  8. Ed Posted: 4/4/2008 3:58pm PDT

    Talking about Bland, Audi A8 may be an excellent car, but it really does not look any different than the far lower-ranked A6 and A4 up front. So why pay twice the price to get one.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  9. Dennis Posted: 4/7/2008 11:19am PDT

    One of my favorite vehicles and I would definitely consider it if it came in diesel!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

More From High Gear Media

 
 
The Car Connection
 
 
© 2013 The Car Connection. All Rights Reserved. The Car Connection is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.