2008 BMW 7 Series Spy Photos

Spy Photos

April 27, 2006 By Christian Wardlaw

When the redesigned 2008 BMW 7 Series arrives, it won’t be coming a moment too soon. The current 7 Series is officially the elder statesman of the super-luxury sedan class, the car that dared to be different and which has influenced the design of almost every competitor since.

This photo shows an engineering mule of the 2008 BMW 7 Series, built on the current car’s platform and structure. The heavily camouflaged front clip hides design detail, and from the A-pillars back, the mule looks identical to what’s being sold in BMW showrooms today. See the next page for a detailed illustration of the next-generation BMW 7 Series.

* Image Copyright Brenda Priddy & Company

Illustration

With added detail, it’s easy to see that the 2008 BMW 7 Series is evolutionary rather than revolutionary like its predecessor. Some think the design is toned down, but we believe that people have simply gotten used to BMW’s styling – the bustle butt remains, the character line running from the bulging front wheel well to the rear of the car is more pronounced, and the hood gets additional detail for stronger definition. The headlamps are more curvaceous, and the front bumper looks similar to that on the 3 Series. Overall, the design is more cohesive and less a collection of interesting elements that don’t play nice together.

As for powertrains, it’s not a leap of faith to expect the standard 2008 BMW 750i to come equipped with the 4.8-liter V8 engine that debuted for the 2006 model year, perhaps making a bit more power than the current 360 horses. The 750i is likely to be launched as a long-wheelbase model first, with an upgrade version in M-powered or V12 trim later.

* Image Copyright Brenda Priddy & Company

Current BMW 7

Today’s BMW 7 Series is the most successful version in the model’s history, but it’s not because critics have fawned over the car. It debuted in America for 2002 with controversial styling penned by Adrian von Hooydonk and approved by Chris Bangle, and was first out of the chute with the much maligned iDrive control knob, but it wasn’t the first of the Bangelized Bimmers. Like the way the BMW Z3 and Z8 look? Those are Bangle designs, too. Nevertheless, the 7 Series ushered in a groundbreaking new design language for BMW, and sales of nearly every model have gone through the roof.

Current BMW 3

Clearly, the 2008 BMW 7 Series will take some design cues from the recently redesigned 3 Series. That’s especially evident in the front bumper and lower air dam, as well as the bulging character line running from the front wheel to the rear of the car. The family resemblance is also evident in the headlights and side mirror design, and the new Seven will retain traditional BMW styling traits like the Hoffmeister kink at the C-pillar. Undoubtedly, the 2008 BMW 7 Series will also be fun to drive, like the new 3 Series and just about every BMW on the road.

Current Audi A8

The Audi A8 is a formidable competitor. It flies under the radar, a sleek, tailored, capable machine that’s not flashy or ostentatious. Like the BMW 7 Series, it’s offered with eight- and twelve-cylinder engines, in short- and long-wheelbase body styles. Audi’s Multi-Media Interface (MMI) is less confusing to use than BMW’s iDrive, but is also less elegant in terms of appearance. Unlike BMW, Audi offers a performance-tuned S8 model, but that might change with the next-generation Seven.

Current Jaguar XJ

Jaguar is having trouble selling the stunning XJ sedan, and the reason underlines how pathetically insecure and materialistic Americans can be. It looks too much like the old XJ, and other people can’t tell the difference. So the XJ, with its high-tech aluminum architecture and silky smooth V8 engines combined with classic design and an interior coated in lovely wood and leather sits, unwanted, while just about anything with a blue-and-white propeller badge flies off dealer lots.

Current Lexus LS

BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and other luxury automakers scoffed when Toyota first announced its impending assault on the premium motorcar market. They aren’t laughing now, especially with the redesigned 2007 Lexus LS 460 arriving in showrooms soon. Highlights of the new car include a high-powered gas/electric hybrid version called the LS 600hL, as well as features such as an integrated hard disc that can hold 4,000 songs, self-parking capability, a right rear seat that reclines up to 45 degrees and includes both a foot rest and a massager, and infrared night vision technology. This car is a threat to the new 2008 BMW 7 Series.

Current Mercedes S

Nothing says success like a three-pointed star, and the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the car that the 2008 BMW 7 Series must beat. That won’t be easy, even if some critics think the S-Class features BMW design cues (and certain elements from the Ford Focus). Highlights of the redesigned S-Class include a performance-tuned AMG version called the S65, and the S600 model with its V12 engine. The S-Class is equipped with plenty of high-tech features like Night View Assist, Pre-Safe, Brake Assist Plus, and Distronic Plus. BMW will need to include these features, and more, on the new 2008 Seven.

Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company and courtesy of the manufacturers