Can we please stick to the topic and talk about the new 7, not who "might" make a car to compete or "what" is a luxury car maker.

BMW knows what it is doing, the 7 like it or hate it, is considered by many to be one of the finest cars built. I trust their judgement, they are PROVEN.

 

For whatever it's worth the controversial current 7 continues to outsell the model it replaced. Personally, I was never as repulsed by it as many seemed to be. There was never a 7er as ungainly and ugly, IMO, as the mid 90's MB S-Class was. http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...-s-class-5.htm

But the new one shown above looks somewhat less evolved based on the computer renderings.

 

OK, so Dame Edna is banished from the next 7 as they adopt the more agressive corporate front end. Reasonable change. I don't know where the comment at the top of the press release about the big butt came from but it finally looks like the rear of the car belongs with the rest of it instead of an after thought. If it has decent trunk capacity as opposed to some automotive jokes like the LS, it is worth it. Reasonable change. The side may have a detail line or crease that isn't in the current model but it looks like a much more cohesive design than the 2002 revolution.

The buyer in this market isn't looking for Gallardo styling, that's what they buy Gallardo's for, and I think this is a good change for the intended customer. Besides, the best view of a BMW is from behind the steering wheel so at least now you don't have to close your eyes before you get in. The turbo V8 is interesting, I hope there isn't a gremlin hiding in there. Huffing a 4.0l V8 shouldn't require very many potential reliability compromises unless they try to wring out some high mileage numbers.

Of course once you get passed all this there is the question of what bimmer will do with a next gen iDrive? I was torn between getting a current 7 or waiting for the new one but if the report is right, we won't be seeing this car here until 2010 and that is farther out than I thought. All in all, with the admitted scarce info presented here, bimmer has done a reasonable change for the next model IMO.

 

still cant beat this design:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-7...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Looks boring to me.

 

A 5 series with a gutless diesel engine and cloth seats isn't a luxury car, is it?

As far as this 7 series, it certainly does look better than the current model, a lot cleaner and less flashy, just like a luxury flagship should be.

 

As does Lexus and Audi