2016 BMW 7-Series (G11) thread
#46
#47
Autobild has real pics for few days now, take from brochure from Austria... It is way too evolutionary design, both inside and out, and I dont see it doing anything new to S class sales... You cant design $30k and $100k vehicle the same.
#48
Lead Lap
While I'm one of the S-class's biggest fans, the G11 does have the S-class covered from a tech perspective and probably dynamics as well (if not as good of a ride). It'll sell well.
#52
Be one of the first to have a closer look at the all-new BMW 7 Series. Explore some never-seen-before features.
The all-new BMW 7 Series. Driving Ahead. This is the official launch film of the all-new BMW 7 Series including driving scenes.
#56
Instructor
Thread Starter
Design of the next LS has probably been long since frozen, especially that it will be on an all-new platform and is currently one of the most comprehensive production development programmes for Toyota. I bet much of design work was reached on that in 2013, as Lexus UK personnel have sat in running prototype examples of that since last year. Only the W222 S-Class was truly the right benchmark for Lexus, as this new 7er comes way too late for that.
I have mentioned a number of times that the design of the new G11/12 was frozen in 2012, particularly around this time of year back then. Designer Nader Faghihzadeh's own work was mostly done in 2011 and the final article in production form, final by the summer of 2012. The Vision Future Luxury Concept came AFTER it was well was done with.
We must all remember, that flagships like this, take a very long time to develop and have high lead times between sign-off and production. The next LS itself taking such a long time, is partly testament to this. It's no ES. The current S-Class production design was finished in 2009 and barely started rolling off assembly in June 2013, essentially 4 years. This new 7er itself seems to have been 36-38 months in that regard.
I had learned some months ago that Herr Faghihzadeh was responsible for this car's design and the M2 and X7 designers. It was personally requested that one not publicize that information until formal introduction for each. Nader also designed the interior of the current generation F01/02 7-Series in 2004-05 and the exterior of current 6-Series range (F12 Coupe, F13 Cabriolet, F06 Gran Coupe) in 2007-09. Like all previous 7-Series designers, he will garner a senior position at BMW Group very soon.
Current BMW Brand Design Chief Karim Habib was responsible for the F01 7er exterior in 2005 and Christopher Weil for the F01 LCI in 2010-11, who is now Head of MINI Exterior Design. Adrian van Hooydonk designed the MY2002 E65 7-Series in 1998, who now sits at the top and manages all of BMW Group design. Look forward to this joining my family next year, as the G12 760i is planned for CY2016 and not 2015 unfortunately.
We must all remember, that flagships like this, take a very long time to develop and have high lead times between sign-off and production. The next LS itself taking such a long time, is partly testament to this. It's no ES. The current S-Class production design was finished in 2009 and barely started rolling off assembly in June 2013, essentially 4 years. This new 7er itself seems to have been 36-38 months in that regard.
I had learned some months ago that Herr Faghihzadeh was responsible for this car's design and the M2 and X7 designers. It was personally requested that one not publicize that information until formal introduction for each. Nader also designed the interior of the current generation F01/02 7-Series in 2004-05 and the exterior of current 6-Series range (F12 Coupe, F13 Cabriolet, F06 Gran Coupe) in 2007-09. Like all previous 7-Series designers, he will garner a senior position at BMW Group very soon.
Current BMW Brand Design Chief Karim Habib was responsible for the F01 7er exterior in 2005 and Christopher Weil for the F01 LCI in 2010-11, who is now Head of MINI Exterior Design. Adrian van Hooydonk designed the MY2002 E65 7-Series in 1998, who now sits at the top and manages all of BMW Group design. Look forward to this joining my family next year, as the G12 760i is planned for CY2016 and not 2015 unfortunately.
Last edited by Carmaker1; 06-10-15 at 05:42 PM.
#60
Instructor
Thread Starter
Don't worry about that rumour, as it's not true in the least. I have no idea where that idea ever came from, but it is highly invalid. The G12 760i will arrive stateside for the 2017 model year. BMW has always maintained staggered releases for the V12 variants since 1987.
The E32 range was launched in 1986, with M70 V12-powered 750iL arriving in 1987. The E38 was launched in the 3rd quarter of 1994, with the M73 V12-powered 750iL arriving in the first quarter of 1995. The E65 was launched in November 2001 for the 2002 model year, with the 760i/Li (E65/66) arriving in late 2002 for MY2003. The F01 was out in November 2008, with the V12 760i/Li arriving in late 2009 for MY2010.
It is coming.
The LWB-only case is solely for the U.S. market, as elsewhere the "Li" suffix will still be utilized. "740Li/750Li/760Li" models will remain elsewhere for the G12, but now be 740i, 750i, and 760i (MY2017) on US models.
The last BMW time didn't offer a short-wheelbase 7er in the US, was in late 1995 for the 1996 model year E38 (no 740i SWB) and only had the 1996 740iL (M60 V8) and 750iL (M73 V12). The 740i quickly returned in late 1996 as a 1997 model, with a new M62 V8 engine sans Nikasil liners.