Spy photos: 2009 BMW 7 Series

[Variance]

Edmunds: Latest spy photos: 2009 BMW 7 Series

[balthazar]

No: by far it has been the rear that has received pointed criticism- hope for their sake bmw worked that over thoroughly.

The pig nostril grilles have long ago gone stale- it'd be nice to see something fresh for a change.

[Cadillacfan]

Even though it had very controversial styling, it appears that everyone is copying it in some way or another.

Hopefully, the new 7 series will be ground breaking yet look good.

[Drew Dowdell]

I actually like the nose of the current one. It's the Stratus butt I object to.

[BigPontiac]

Hopefully that's some sort of camo on the nose! Yuck. The last "update" fixed the nose, it's the back of the car that still needs the reworking at this point. That and the crummy iDrive interface.

The Bangle mangles continue...

[The O.C.]

Hmmm....I'd like someone "in the know" confirm this.

It doesn't make sense that BMW would just do a "nose job" for '09 after just doing a "nose (and tail) job" in '05.

I've heard from sources that the next 7 is ALL-new.....

Are these old pics from the '05 refresh?

[The O.C.]

More than likely.....this is an engineering mule on the old body.

The different front end could be to test a modified/new front structure (for pedestrian-accident purposes...?)

That's what I would guess.....

[El Scorcho]

More than likely.....this is an engineering mule on the old body.

The different front end could be to test a modified/new front structure (for pedestrian-accident purposes...?)

That's what I would guess.....

I could see that, just like those new CTS spy shots that recently surfaced.

[pow]

More than likely.....this is an engineering mule on the old body.

The different front end could be to test a modified/new front structure (for pedestrian-accident purposes...?)

That's what I would guess.....

The '06 front-end is already pedestrian compatible.

[MyerShift]

I actually like the nose of the current one. It's the Stratus butt I object to.

Stratus butt? The Stratus has rear styling far superior to the current 7- and 5-Series BMW's.

BMW should probably just drop i-Drive and introduce a touch screen system with buttons that link directly to frequently used functions. And, the current 7-Series interior seems bland and cheap to me, like the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class's does.

I don't really anything concrete can be gleaned from this test mule. It could be mostly current 7 with all-new hardware underneath.

[VenSeattle]

I've heard from sources that the next 7 is ALL-new.....

Yeah... Isn't the next 7-Series suppose to share the new platform being developed for the rumored "baby" Rolls? Last time I read, it's expected around 2010.

[enzl]

Yeah... Isn't the next 7-Series suppose to share the new platform being developed for the rumored "baby" Rolls? Last time I read, it's expected around 2010.

The industry stuff I have read indicates that the new 7 will be all new chassis with updated engines and the new 'small' Rolls to compete with Bentley will be developed off of this platform as well...there also may be a BMW above the 7, slotted between the baby Rolls and the new 7.

[jbartley]

The industry stuff I have read indicates that the new 7 will be all new chassis with updated engines and the new 'small' Rolls to compete with Bentley will be developed off of this platform as well...there also may be a BMW above the 7, slotted between the baby Rolls and the new 7.

A 9-series? that would indeed enable them to build their 8 coupe to compete with aston martin etc

and I read they are reconsidering the i-drive, finally yes? they see the light?

[enzl]

A 9-series? that would indeed enable them to build their 8 coupe to compete with aston martin etc

and I read they are reconsidering the i-drive, finally yes? they see the light?

I haven't read anything about the future of iDrive....but I'm pretty sure, based on the investment involved, as well as other German maker's use of similar systems, it will be altered but not eliminated.

I think it'll be interesting to see what chnages occur in the chassis and unibody...the current 5/6 series has had issues with minor accidents becoming total losses because of the aluminum frame used in the front end and its bond with a steel skeleton not holding up very well.

[VenSeattle]

The industry stuff I have read indicates that the new 7 will be all new chassis with updated engines and the new 'small' Rolls to compete with Bentley will be developed off of this platform as well...there also may be a BMW above the 7, slotted between the baby Rolls and the new 7.

what I remember reading was that the 9-series idea was abandoned in favor of the baby Rolls. I've never read BMW considering both. Interesting.

[enzl]

what I remember reading was that the 9-series idea was abandoned in favor of the baby Rolls. I've never read BMW considering both. Interesting.

I may have been unclear....you are correct, I've heard the RR will supplant the 9 series (sedan) but may also be a platform-mate of a BMW model above the 7....it may actually appear as a quasi-z8 replacement (rumored z10 has been percolating for years)...I personally wouldn't be surprised if a 'space concept' enormo people mover was the 'car' that resulted...

[ponchoman49]

Now all they have to do is fix the naked side door look and it will be much nicer.