2009 BMW 7-series spy photos
5 Apr, 2008
16 Comments 
Say hello to BMW’s next-generation executive limousine, the 2009 new 7-series.
Our European photographers snapped the car at the firm’s Munich headquarters this morning, and it’s the first time the Mercedes S-class beater can be seen without the heavy cladding that so far made the elegant saloon looking like an ugly military tank.
With its huge twin-kidney grille and the wrap-around headlights the car mimics design elements of the X5 and X6 but keeps the exclusive character the 7-series is known for.
Though still disguised with a fake rear spoiler, the rear end and especially the boot lid will undoubtedly become more elegant compared to the current car’s back.
In addition to the exterior updates, BMW will be introducing a new iDrive and – rumour has it – an eight-speed transmission (in order to shut Lexus up).
The new 7‑series will make its first public appearance at the Paris Show later this year and will arrive as a 2009 model.
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April 5th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Back to being a classicly shaped BMW. No flames or unneeded panel creases.
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April 5th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
That’s just what I thought - back 10 years or so to classical styling (except for the boot hump).
Looks much better. Curious to see the dash treatment.
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April 5th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Oh please do not let Bangle design this one!
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April 5th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
people have a go at chris bangle, but fact of the matter is that 90% of the design themes he came up with have been copied by other manufacturers! The new 3 series range is a superb example of chris bangle, fantastic looking cars.
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April 5th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
and lets not forget how astonishingly successful BMW has been under Bangle! His first creation for BMW was the last 7 series, possibly the most heavily criticised BMW ever, not just for the styling but also that bloody i-drive, however fact of the matter is that that 7 series sold better then any other 7 series before it and absolutely dominated the merceedes rival!
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April 6th, 2008 at 6:28 am
This new one looks much better than the current car - even with the disguises!
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April 6th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Why an eight speed tranmission? The only reason for so many gears in any gearbox is due to a narrow powerband to keep the engine on the boil a la motorcross bikes! Just doing it to keep up with Lexus is pathetic.
Overall the car looks boring really. Just as well as BMW don’t sell many of these as they are just tooooo expensive for most.
Not really a Luxus challenger in the looks department.
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April 6th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
This could be the most elegant BMW we’ve seen in a long time.
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April 6th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
A return to an elegant, inoffensive design is what the 7 series needs. Good luck BMW!
And the new 3-series looks fantastic, the redesigned rear-taillights are so much better than those weird squinting taillights on the previous model.
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April 6th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
id like them to go bold like the CS concept. but the 7 series will always be a COOL limo car. jaguar is still in the gentlemans club era of personal limos…… it should join up with the METRO! club age of cars.
………………its no roller though
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April 6th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
“Mitchell Oke Says:
“April 6th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
And the new 3-series looks fantastic, the redesigned rear-taillights are so much better than those weird squinting taillights on the previous model.”
You can’t be seriously thinking that the E90 3-series looks better in any way than the previous E46 3-series? Have you read the reviews on the E90 and it’s butt-ugly styling?
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April 7th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
I think the 8 speed box is designed for better fuel economy overall (especially cruising in the higher gears).
I’m willing to bet that the tailpipes arent connected to the tips which are connected to the bumper. I also have a funny feeling that we’ll hardly hear a peep from the journos, just because it’s a BMW (think IS-F, don’t hear people complaining about the Bugatti Veyron now do you).
Might i add that most cars tailpipes are allowed to hang quite freely so that vibrations/noise arent sent up into the cars cabin. Now think about where all those vibrations would go should the tailpipe be connected to the bumper. (You should see the way they shake when you start the car up, probably tear the bumper loose after a few years.)
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April 7th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
As the owner of a 2004 745i I must say I loved the bangle styling. It looks and feels like a high end luxury sedan. I just don’t get all the calls to ‘tone down’ the car.
Bangle created a car that was the best 7 series ever and I hope bmw remembers that when they listen to their critics. From the spy shots so far, it looks more like a ford taurus than a bmw 7 series. I’ve been waiting for the new model to come out to buy another new one, but if that’s what it looks like, I’m going to consider other options.
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April 17th, 2008 at 5:56 am
bangle’s designs are what got me interested in BMW’s initially. i was almost run over by an E60 550i and fell in love with it. prior to his tenure, i thought of BMW’s as lame middle aged man cars.
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May 5th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
What happen to the CS looking 7 series… that would have been HOT…
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August 23rd, 2008 at 6:59 am
This is absolutely BLAND. I really just don’t understand what the problem that people seem to have with the current e65 model is. When you are on the highway getting passed by one do you honestly sit there and go “well, i’m glad I don’t drive that car because Bangle designed it”?! Thats the best looking car on the road to this day, and now BMW is trying to make it, well, bland. At least that should bring the prices down on the 02 models so I might be able to afford one.
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