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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Somewhat predictable.
My favorite 7-Series is the E38.
But lately I have grown with the E65 and I love the fact that they took the risk and created something that is opposite of the S-Class. It is just a striking car with a very bespoke interior. It really is a concept car for the road.
THe F01 7-Series is an evolution of the E38. THey played it safe.
But BMW need to create somthing, a wow factor and the E65 delivered that.
Note that the F01 is so boring, I was expecting another fireworks or E65.
Maybe they did their marketing and know that the majority of buyer prefer bland looking cars.
Interior-wise? Mercedes in still on pole and I think the next A8 is going to be very special.
Here I am looking at the E65 photos. Sigh.
In malaysia I would probably pick the 7-series since it comes with a five year warranty with unlimited mileage in case anything goes wrong and secure its residual value.
Agreed, the e38 is probably the best looking 7 series. But F01 is still a good looking car. The other day, I came across a black F01 with M-sport bodykit and 19 inch rims. Looks really nice.
But…..
S-class looks even better
sorry, the merc fits most politician/mafias/CEO
somehow BMW does not that good in this segment.
I feel the current S class feels like an expression of cash, it’s more in your face luxury.
7ers have been about being understated. Thank goodness they did this, cause that Bangle butt in the E65 and the headlight module still make me laugh.
I encourage you to sit in Lexus ES, you wilk see this no RV car is nothing.
some of bmw designs are kinda hit and miss lately..
agreed.. honestly I easily get bored even the new bimmer comes out,
I only love the 5-series E60 and 3series e46 design.
But now, I dont know why I always love to look at the new Mercedes car that looks very good.I never got bored looking at it. Especially the CLS & A45 AMG.
I think the should make the m-sport a standard!
Lexus Es is more spacious and better RV. Not to mention it will never break down like Euro cars
Where the idrive for passenger seat
Oh my goddddd!! The headlights is a joke man! What the heck was wrong with BMW? It looks hideous! The S-class has nth to worry about! The Lexus LS just transformed into a swan, standing beside this ugly beast.
Rear seats have a touch pad instead of idrive. Well, the G11 photo leak have been out for about 8 month or more so the design is kinda boring already. Having own on F30 I’d say the dashboard design is similar accross all BMW models. Nothing execite you anymore. Its like if own a VW the interior is pretty much the same. My vote goes to Sklasse which is more modern & futuristic…BMW is rather bland. My next purchase probably be a merc….if BMW doesnt change its design language…..
F30 owner
As expected, it’s more of an evolution of the F01 than a full on new design. If you think about it, they already had two complete overhauls (E65/F01) in the past.
I was quite worried when I saw the initial shots. The rear chrome bit was a bit silly. I still don’t see a full on butt shot but judging by the rest the car looks reasonably well proportioned. Also no royal clusterf*ck of the E65 in sight thank goodness – especially the disasters of the 2At/GT.
This is going to be a car that will silently raise the bar in terms of engineering. The carbon core is gonna be the selling point cause the lack of a lumbering weight will make this one of the most agile in its class.
Agains the S class, now the seats on this one look really good. Love love love the seats. At least the steering wheel too doesn’t look silly like the 2 spoke (but very well finished) S class one. The rest of the interior is a mixed bag. Again a simple design, but personally I find the metal buttons here look like painted plastic. Not sure why. AC controls look good though, and iDrive will be full of tricks as well.
This is a car with a different mission. Unlike the S class where you wanna make a statement that you have the money money money… This one is more restrained, more sober German. And that is perfectly fine. This sober look will definitely not appeal to that many in this price range, but I won’t mind. It’s like the E38, refined quietly.
And I like it. Well done BMW, for staying true to what you are. This is also a preview of the next 5, so I would pay attention.
The exterior is nothing to shout about.
The interior effort is even poorer… come on bmw, it look just like what you have in your stable right now. Have you seen the new S Class interior??
The only reason why people will go for this is BMW doesn’t have a waiting list, and maybe some pre-reg discount.
German cars are known to evolve elegantly, and BMW continues to demonstrate this. If one prefers cars that tranform radically from one gen to the next without any design principle linkages with their previous models, depending on what styling they’re copying, one can always buy kias or hyundais.
It’s all about heritage.
So far I only see BMW and Jaguars doing that real well.
PS: not sure what’s with the hate of the understated looks of this. Not the best interior wise but I think the exterior is pretty alright for that evolutionary look.
check out the ‘freshener spray’ button on the dash. 3pm afternoon delight booty-call appointment, better spray kaw-kaw before the appointment for that hot booty-call. also spray kaw-kaw after so that missus cannot smell anything later.
I think its going to do pretty well…not as good as the S-Class but it has it own followers.
The 7er was always a driver’s car but I think the passengers will appreciate its agility when going around corners or zooming away quickly from paparazzi.
Can’t wait to see the next generation 5er and 3er will look like.
What a dissapointment. Look like BMW has run out of ideas in the look and design department. No ‘wow factor at all like the S class.
i call that ‘durian’ headlight