G11 BMW 7 Series

• G11/G12 BMW 7 Series officially unveiled – full details

  In BMW, Cars, International News / By Jonathan James Tan / 11 June 2015 11:25 am / 54 comments

  

  Here it is, ladies and gentlemen: the new G11/G12 BMW 7 Series. Munich’s luxury limousine is back with less weight, an avalanche of new tech and a new 740e plug-in hybrid variant to renew the fight against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ.

  It may not look worlds apart from its predecessor, but the more-evolutionary-than-revolutionary styling belies the substance beneath. For instance, a ‘Carbon Core’ structure sees major use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, magnesium, aluminium and steel to yield weight savings of up to 130 kg.

  As before, standard- (G11) and long-wheelbase (G12) versions are available. The stretched one is 5,238 mm long (+140 mm), 1,902 mm wide (unchanged) and 1,479 mm tall, with a 3,210 mm wheelbase (unchanged), while the standard version is 140 mm shorter, 12 mm lower and sits on a 3,070 mm wheelbase. Boot capacity is 515 litres (420 litres on 740e), and of course, foot-activated boot operation and auto soft-close boot are available as options.

  

  Regarding lighting, LED head and fog lamps are standard; Laserlight with Selective Beam optional (range doubled to 600 metres). You’ll also find L-shaped LED tail lamps and wheels ranging from 17- to 21-inches. There are Air Curtains and Air Breathers, and the Active Kidney Grille actually features additional retractable slats to complement the lower intake flaps.

  A two-axle self-levelling air suspension with Dynamic Damper Control is standard; options include Integral Active Steering (four-wheel steering, for xDrive only) and Executive Drive Pro (reduces body roll through electromechanical anti-roll bars, while adjusting dampers for road irregularities). The Driving Experience Control packs a new Adaptive mode – this adapts the car according to the driving style and the road.

  Step inside to a familiar, but different office, featuring wood, leather and quite a lot of metallic surfaces. You name it, it’s got it – a new touch-screen iDrive 5.0 with gesture control, Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound, a Sky Lounge panoramic roof (for LWB only, with six light colours), Welcome Light Carpet (projects a light ‘carpet’ under the open doors) and ambient air (eight fragrances).

  

  

  

  Despite the new car not being much bigger than its predecessor, BMW claims class-leading rear legroom at over 1,120 mm. The front passenger seat can be slid and folded forwards, and specify the Executive Lounge package (for LWB only) for real back-seat luxury – you get a pop-up footrest and optional 42.5-degree recline, auto quad-zone climate control and ventilated massage seats.

  The package also gives you a rear console with a retractable table and a removable seven-inch Touch Command tablet. Other enhancements/additions include a head-up display that projects a 75% bigger image, wireless phone charging and a new Surround View with parallel Top View, 3D View and Panorama Side View (monitor the car’s front and rear sides).

  There’s a really cool optional key fob with a digital display called Display Key, through which Remote Control Parking can be activated. That’s right, you can get out of the car and manoeuvre it into a tight spot.

  

  

  Now for the nitty-gritty. 730d, 740i, 750i and 740e variants are available at launch – all can be had in L long-wheelbase format, with xDrive available on all but the 740i. M Sport, Design Pure Excellence and bespoke Individual Design Composition trims are offered at launch. M Sport gives you a big-intaked bodykit, accents, callipers and wood trim in black, 19-inch alloys and anthracite headlining.

  The 730d gets a 3.0 litre turbo straight-six diesel with 265 PS and 620 Nm of torque; the 740i a 3.0 litre turbo straight-six petrol with 326 PS and 450 Nm of torque. The 750i is powered by a 4.4 litre turbo V8 that develops 450 PS and 650 Nm of torque, pushing it to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and onwards to a limited 250 km/h top speed. All engines are mated to an eight-speed auto.

  Finally, the new 740e plug-in hybrid. This brings together a 2.0 litre turbo four-cylinder petrol, a 95 PS electric motor and a lithium-ion battery for a 326 PS total, a 5.5 second century sprint time and a top speed in excess of 240 km/h. The 740e claims to be capable of 2.1 litres per 100 km and a 40 km electric-only range. Electric-only driving is possible up to 120 km/h.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  BMW 7 Series
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  Autodesk VRED Professional 2015 SP5

  

  
  

  

  Autodesk VRED Professional 2015 SP5

  

  

  

  
  

  
  BMW 7 Series M Sport
  

  

  Autodesk VRED Professional 2015 SR1-SP5

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  
  BMW 740e plug-in hybrid
  

  

  

  

  Autodesk VRED Professional 2015 SR1-SP5

  

  

  Autodesk VRED Professional 2015 SR1-SP5

  
  

  

  Autodesk VRED Professional 2015 SR1-SP5

  

  

  Autodesk VRED Professional 2015 SR1-SP5

  

  BMW 740e

  
  

   

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• 2016 G11 BMW 7 Series pictures and details leaked!

  In BMW, Cars, International News / By Hafriz Shah / 8 June 2015 12:49 am / 20 comments

  

  So much for the planned June 10 global unveiling. The 2016 G11 BMW 7 Series has been leaked online, with very revealing official pictures (presumably) accidentally uploaded to BMW’s Austrian website. More than just pictures, technical details – including the long options list – are now known too.

  The overall look of BMW’s upcoming answer to the W222 Mercedes-Benz S-Class isn’t exactly the world’s best-kept secret. Spyshots of the flagship model, fully uncovered at that, had been circulated as early as January 2015. Today’s leaks do give is a much closer look at the new 7er, though, both inside and out.

  What’s new is M Sport exterior package for the next-gen Seven – revealed here for the first time. Like on other BMW models, this adds on a completely unique, more aggressive front bumper and matching lightweight wheels. Standard alloys range from 17- to 20-inches in size.

  

  

  For the Austrian market – and most likely Europe in general – the 7 Series will initially be offered with three engines options. The 730d (available in standard rear-wheel drive or xDrive) starts the range, with a 3.0 litre turbodiesel motor with 265 PS and fuel economy as low as 4.5 litres per 100 km (22.2 km/l).

  Next up is the 740i. Here, a turbocharged 3.0 litre straight-six petrol engine takes charge, making 326 PS and a claimed fuel consumption of 6.6 l/100 km (15.2 km/l). At the top of the range (for now, before a V12 option is out) is the 750i, with a 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 engine that’s good for 450 PS and 8.1 l/100 km (12.3 km/l).

  Transferring power down to the wheels is an eight-speed Sport Automatic transmission – the same as in the outgoing F01/F02 models. It at least gets a new-look electronic gear selector that’s fashioned in glossy black and aluminium silver inside the cockpit.

  

  

  

  Speaking of the interior, we now have a pretty good idea of how the new 7 Series looks like inside. Nothing ground-breaking here, of course, but it looks like there will be plenty of customisation options offered: from black, cream, light brown, dark mocha to even maroon leather/Alcantara to choose from.

  Other options include (but not limited to) Adaptive LED headlights, Surround View camera, Night Vision, Head-up display, Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go, Harman Kardon surround sound system and a rear-seat entertainment system with seat and iDrive controls on the fold-down centre armrest.

  As before, a four-seat configuration will also be available, with a tall centre tunnel dividing the two rear seats. A BMW Individual rear cooler box, a four-zone climate control system and a panoramic sunroof can be specified too. Other highlights include fancy exterior floor lighting and the option of having ceramic interior trim.

  We’ll know more about the G11 BMW 7 Series come June 10. With these leaked into, though, do you think it’ll be a match for Merc’s mighty W222 S-Class?

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• G11 BMW 7 Series teased – to be unveiled June 10

  In BMW, Cars, International News, Videos / By Jonathan Lee / 2 June 2015 8:30 am / 12 comments

  The arrival of Munich’s latest flagship, the G11 BMW 7 Series, is clearly nigh – spied, detailed, even leaked; we know a lot about the big Bavarian bruiser even before its launch. Now, BMW has released a video that finally proclaims its arrival, slated for next week, June 10.

  Thanks to pictures that surfaced on the Internet on New Year’s Day, we pretty much know exactly how the new 7er will look like; however, the new glimpses to the design are still welcome. Clear to see are the L-shaped headlights (which feature laser technology, a first on a regular non-i BMW), chrome trim on the Air Breather vents aft of the front wheels and kinked tail light graphics as seen on the facelifted 1 and 3 Series.

  

  But it’s under the skin where the G11 will be a real leap forward. The addition of carbon fibre into the construction (BMW dubs this “Carbon Core”) enables the 7 Series to drop as much as 130 kg over its predecessor. There will also be standard all-round air suspension for the first time, a touchscreen iDrive display, gesture control and a remote parking feature that will get the car out of tight spots autonomously.

  So, just over seven days to go, and we can’t wait to see how the new G11 BMW 7 Series squares off against its bitter rival and longtime benchmark, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Let the games begin!

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2016 BMW 7 Series G11/G12 – first details released

  In BMW, Cars, International News, Technology / By Paul Tan / 21 April 2015 2:23 pm / 21 comments

  

  The new G11/G12 BMW 7 Series is not too far away now. It will likely make its world debut sometime in Q3 this year, but before that BMW has revealed bits of information on the new 7er at a technology and innovation workshop in Miramas, France.

  BMW was unfortunate enough to have images of the entire 7 Series exterior and interior leaked a few months ago, but as it turns out there’s a whole lot more to the G11/G12 story to tell than a few photos are able to.

  Let’s have a look at what’s been revealed so far.

  Chassis with integrated CFRP

  

  The new 7er promises to be up to 130 kg lighter, which will help with its dynamics as well as eco credentials. Its new platform makes use of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the actual structure of the passenger cell instead of just visible material on the outer skin, which is said to be a world first.

  For example, CFRP is used together with ultra high-strength steels in the B pillars, which increases both the overall strength as well as torsional and bending stiffness of the passenger cell. BMW calls this the Carbon Core body structure.

  Standard air suspension on both axles

  

  While the previous few generations of the 7 Series featured air suspension only on the rear axle for self-levelling purposes, the new 7 Series now features air suspension on both the front and rear axles. Dynamic damper control is also standard.

  One of the benefits of air suspension on both axles is of course variable ride height. This can be set manually as well – at the touch of a button, the 7 Series can increase its ride height by 20 mm for better clearance on uneven surfaces or in multi-story car parks with sharply-angled ramps. In Sport mode, the body is lowered by 10 mm.

  New Driving Experience Control mode – Adaptive

  

  

  This particular feature previously contained Comfort+, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Eco Pro modes. There’s now a new setting – Adaptive, which adjusts itself based on the driver’s behaviour as well as GPS navigation data.

  The way this button is implemented has also been revised – it was previously a rocker switch, but now there are individual buttons for Adaptive, Comfort, Sport and Eco Pro. The Comfort+ setting is accessed by pressing the Comfort button twice.

  Eco Pro mode is now customisable in terms of steering response and damper control, so you can have an eco throttle response with a heavy steering and hard suspension if, for whatever reason, you desire it.

  New iDrive system with touch and gesture control

  

  

  The iDrive system features an all-new interface, now featuring a horizontal list in the main menu. The inside screens look more familiar, but the system now has the additional feature of accepting touch and gesture input as well as being controlled from the rotary knob.

  The benefits of touch are very obvious in certain applications – keying in numbers for example. You just touch a virtual numerical keypad that appears on the screen instead of spinning the rotary knob around.

  The gesture control feature that was previously showcased as a technology preview makes its production debut here. Gestures can be used for commands like adjusting the volume, or accepting as well as rejecting phone calls. Gestures are also programmable.

  Remote control parking feature

  This is perhaps the feature that will produce the most wow factor – no longer do you have to worry about getting out of your car when you park in a tight spot, because you can simply get out of your car first and get it to park itself.

  To activate the remote control parking function, the car has to be positioned at a maximum angle of 10° to the selected parking space. The maximum distance that can be covered by the car during driverless manoeuvres in and out of parking spaces is 1.5 times the length of the car.

  New climate control panel, integrated perfume dispenser

  

  From the image above we can see that there’s a new climate control panel design that appears to be a little screen controlled via touch input.

  We also noticed a new button in the middle that looks like a perfume bottle – this very likely means the new 7 Series will come with an integrated perfume dispenser.

  New digital instrument panel design with virtual analog clock

  

  BMW’s digital instrument panel has been further improved with the new 7 Series. As before, there are three different looks – a standard multi-functional one that supports information display such as navigation instructions in place of the rev counter, an amber sports version and a blue version that activates when you’re on Eco Pro mode.

  There’s also a new virtual analog clock – in lieu of an actual physical analog clock on the dashboard? We’re not quite sure that has the same effect as an actual clock, but we’ll see.

  BMW also released plenty of videos of the new 7 Series, though you won’t be able to see much of the exterior as it’s all covered up with camo. Enjoy the videos and the big gallery below.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• SPIED: Next generation G11 BMW 7-Series revealed

  In BMW, Cars, Spyshots / By Paul Tan / 1 January 2015 6:10 pm / 56 comments

  

  Here it is, the next generation BMW 7-Series. These pix were uploaded to the Facebook fan page of a Swiss BMW fan club, and were first published by AutoWeek Netherlands.

  The model here is the G11, which is the short wheelbase companion to the long wheelbase G12. Malaysia will likely get the long wheelbase exclusively just as it is with the current F01/F02 model, although grey importers do bring in the short wheelbase as well. The 730d badging on the rear indicates a 3.0 litre six-cylinder turbodiesel under the hood.

  

  

  Speaking of hoods, the shut line now neatly meets the kidney grille and the headlamps, which essentially hides it. This is very different from the F01/F02 where the hood shut line made itself very obvious positioned a few inches aft of the nose of the car.

  On an overall, the slimmer look of the car’s headlamps and tail lamps reminds me of the old E38 7-Series, which was the last ‘slim’ 7-Series before things really bloated up with the E65/E66 and the F01/F02.

  

  

  This leaked car doesn’t have its ignition on, so we can’t see how the lights are lit up, but previous spyshots that we’ve ran can give us an idea.

  The graphics employ thinner solid bars for both the tail lamps and the new ‘question mark’-shaped daytime running lights. BMW previewed the new DRL design in a few concepts – the BMW Vision Future Luxury concept, the BMW Concept X4 and the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe.

  

  The interior looks simpler than expected, especially when compared to what Mercedes-Benz has done with the W222’s interior. We’ve already had some kind of idea of it before this – previous spyshots have revealed a partly disguised interior before this.

  Think F30 dashboard design, scaled up and given shiny metal buttons, and you get the idea. We also see that the steering wheel’s airbag cover has been given a leather wrap, which is a nice touch. Rumours are that BMW will even offer a leather-wrapped engine cover with the new 7-er.

  

  We don’t see the iDrive display turned on in the leaked photos, but we can refer to our previously published spyshots which show a completely revamped iDrive menu, this time featuring a horizontal list of a big icons instead of the current vertical text menu.

  Word is that you not only get to control the new iDrive with the rotary knob, but it will be touch screen as well, which is similiar to what is available with Mazda Connect. Apparently there will also be a front passenger infotainment system – we wonder if this is a separate tablet or perhaps a multi-angle view display like Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND.

  What do you think of the new BMW 7-Series so far?

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• SPYSHOTS: G11 BMW 7 Series mule reveals details

  In BMW, Cars, Spyshots / By Paul Tan / 1 December 2014 2:51 pm / 8 comments

  

  Prototypes of the next-generation G11 BMW 7 Series have been shedding some camo. For one, the area surrounding the exhaust tail pipes is now completely free of camo.

  The twirly camo on the car looks a bit thinner now – it’s either that or we now have photos that are of higher resolution, so we can now make out some of the details such as the shape of the headlamps and tail lamps.

  

  

  We’ve traced the lines around the lamps. On the front, you can see that the headlamps meet the edges of the kidney grilles just like all the recently launched BMW cars. Overall, both the front and rear lamps are much slimmer than the fat ones on the current car, which should give the new G11 a sportier look.

  We also notice that the G11’s bonnet shut line have been moved forward to meet the kidney grilles (similiar to the F15 X5), instead of being a few inches aft of the grilles like they are on cars like the F01 7 Series, F30 3 Series and F10 5 Series.

  

  Previous spyshots also gave us a look at the interior of the new 7er, but you’ll have to ignore the surface texture as they’re probably not final. We see a new UI for the iDrive infotainment system as well as metallic finish on the buttons and OLED touch panels.

  Word is that the new 7er will debut in the second half of 2015 with big weight reductions of up to 200 kg, thanks to learnings from the BMW i project. The new ‘5up’ chassis is rumoured to incorporate aluminium, magnesium and carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  
  See a comparison between the new and old 7-Series.

   

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• SPYSHOTS: G11 BMW 7-Series to feature new iDrive

  In BMW, Cars, Spyshots / By Paul Tan / 24 November 2014 8:49 pm / 11 comments

  

  The prototypes next generation BMW 7-Series running around Europe have progressed to a point where they now contain an early version of the final product’s interior design.

  What immediately stands out is a completely new UI for BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, which now appears to use a horizontal row of icons instead of the current vertical list. The iDrive controller looks like the current version, but the buttons surrounding it are now flatter and look like they’re made out of metal.

  The metal button look continues throughout the rest of the cabin – they’re featured around the air conditioning controls and the DVD drive as well. The air conditioning panel looks like it’s a big display using virtual buttons instead of physical ones. Other than that, the steering wheel and shift knob are new.

  

  

  

  The G11 still wears plenty of disguise on the exterior, but the general shape of it is very recognisable as a large BMW sedan. The front kidney grilles look as prominent as ever, and they’re flanked by headlamps that should feature LED lighting as standard, with optional laser high beams as seen in the BMW i8.

  In previous spyshots, we saw that the G11’s signature ‘corona ring’ daytime running lights aren’t the typical U-shaped design. The inner “U” extends further towards the grille, giving it the appearance like a question mark lying on its side. We’ve seen this new design on the BMW Vision Future Luxury concept, the BMW Concept X4 and the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe.

  Word is that the new 7-er will debut in the second half of 2015. It’s said to have undergone big weight reductions of up to 200 kg, with BMW focusing on integrating key learnings from the BMW i project to its regular series cars. The chassis – said to be codenamed ‘5up’, is supposed to allow the 7 Series to compete with lighter cars like the Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ when it comes to kerb weight thanks to the use of aluminium, magnesium and carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).

  What do you think of how the G11 is shaping out to be?

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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