2009 BMW 7-Series revealed
4 Jul, 2008
24 Comments 
After the first official images of the new fifth-generation 7-Series were leaked onto the web, BMW has released the full details of its new flagship luxury saloon prior to its worldwide debut at the Paris Auto Show.
The 2009 model 7-Series takes its styling cues from the CS Concept shown originally in Shanghai back in 2007, replacing the current model which was first introduced in 2001 - later receiving a facelift in 2005.
The latest generation features many subtle exterior design changes in an attempt to shed the much criticised appearance of the previous model, these revisions extend to the kidney grille, tail lamps, and the especially controversial decklid with integrated spoiler which BMW maintains was an aerodynamic necessity.
The new 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine introduced in the X6 and in a recently spied X5 will also power the 7-Series, producing 298kW and 609Nm mated to a slick six-speed automatic transmission.
An additional 3.0-litre 243kW twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol engine and 182kW diesel engine are also confirmed for the range, however market allocation for each power train is yet to be announced.
Speculation also suggests a gas-electric hybrid model could also be available next year following the launch line-up, using the two-mode system developed in three-way cooperation with General Motors and Daimler - kicking-off what will eventually become an extended range of hybrids in coming years.
The 2009 7 Series boasts all new suspension comprising lightweight aluminium components, featuring BMW’s newly developed Dynamic Damping Control as standard which adjusts the degree of damping force and the gearshift dynamics of the automatic transmission, as well as the control maps for the gas pedal and steering assistance at the touch of a button.
A technical showcase, the new generation features optional extras including active steering, night vision with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control with a new stop-and-go capability, massaging rear seats and rear view and side view cameras.
Inside, the gear-lever returns to the centre console from its previous position on the steering column whilst BMW’s iDrive system also makes an appearance with more readable graphics on an updated and better-integrated screen - and even integrates the owner’s manual in digital format.
The CS concept on which the new 7-Series is based has not yet been relegated to the history books, with BMW planning to bridge the gap between the 7 Series and Rolls-Royce, where its job will be to fend off advances from the coming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.
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July 4th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Looks good, possibly even predictable, and there’s no nasty surprises this time.
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July 4th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
…bring back the Bangle bum. This looks a like a bloated, korean-designed three series.
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July 4th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I’m not seeing much CS Concept in it!!
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July 4th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Looks like a BMW to me. Every BMW looks like a BMW and every time a new model comes out it looks “the same but different”. So will we get the people who went on and on and on and on about FG Falcon looking the same as BF Falcon hanging it on BMW for bringing out a car that looks the same? I dont think so. Anyway if they think an FG looks the same as a BF then they are blind………..This BMW looks great because it looks like a BMW.
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July 4th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Looks better but could be better, it’s still not a looker, but it’s just out of the ugly zone, better then the older uglier 7 series! The rear could be worked on to be more better looking for a start.
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July 4th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I think I actually prefer the Bangle-butt version, the back looks like a knock-off of the Lexus LS and where are the door handles off to?
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July 4th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
That looks…. awkward. I agree with Fenno’s sentiment that it looks like a bloated Korean designed 3 series. What’s with the gonzo nose in the top shot? I’m also not keen on the full length ’shouldering’ that they’ve attempted to do here - Volvo seem to be able to do it but it just looks wrong here. Perhaps it will grow on me, as late model BMW designs tend to do.
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July 4th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
No self respecting driver would be seen dead in such a fat arse chariot.
You’d need a bangle-bummed wife to warrant such a purchase.
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July 4th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
To AU guy, this latest 7 series looks massively different to the last or actually current banglrbum version. You can actually tell the difference from afar unlike the FG which from a distance looks the same as a BF. Its only from close you can tell the ever so minor cosmetic differences. It just doesn’t look like a new car despite how good or not so good it may be. What BMW has done here is change an AU into a BA with some of the cosmetic changes on the 7 series
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July 4th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Frosty……..how can you call every body panel totally new a minor cosmetic change? And how do you tell a new BMW from alot of other BMW models from a distance? they all look the same at the front to most people. Its hard to tell a VE from a BA from a distance.
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July 5th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Nice, smooth, great line, awesome, breathtaking, calm, angry, elegance, aggresive, confortable all in one. I like it. I don’t know if something is missing. No. Definitely no.
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July 5th, 2008 at 12:47 am
ha! anti-spam word was BMW. Anyway, i think it looks good, big improvement over the previous model. Interior looks great, car looks great. I really think that BMW are in form with regard to style atm. The current 5 series is the last ugly car left in it’s lineup
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July 5th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
AU Guy, “every time a new model comes out it looks “the same but different”, sorry but the shift between pre- and post-Bangle designs was one of the most drastic design shifts ever taken by a major manufacturer. I mean, just look at the change between the E38 7-series and the current E65, or the shift from the E39 5-series to the current E60! No evolution there, just revolution. The only reason the new models were recognisable as BMWs was due to the twin-kidney grille!
And as for “how can you call every body panel totally new a minor cosmetic change”, take a look at Porsche, they’re masters of changing every body panel resulting in a minor cosmetic change
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July 5th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
After boldly forging a new direction to differentiate BMW’s from the masses, then blending that look through the entire range - and being heavily criticised for it, BMW have retreated back to safe territory with the new 7.
It’s safe, modern and conservative, if a little boring and un-adventurous.
Personally I liked the rear end treatment of the current 7, it’s distinctive and unique, in a way the boomerang tail lights were on Maserati’s a few years back.
Sadly this new 7 is now just another bland looking high end saloon.
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July 5th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
AU ute guy, I agree with you that BMW’s look similar to other BMW’s from a distance because of there grill. But PLEASE, PLEASE dont say the BA Falcon and VE Commodore look similar or the same! Because there not!
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July 5th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
while everyone is saying how balnd this is.Its only compared to the current 7.personally this car is brilliant i love the look of it.I hate the grill though.The CS2 looks way bettter this one looks slapped on at the last minute.But i can see a lot of cs in it though just the side profile mainly.
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July 5th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Duck…well i hate to disappoint you but YES the VE does ook like a BA from the front……anyway i would tink that this would be a compliment to the VE because the BA is still a better car than VE !!!!!!
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July 5th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
^You can believe that, but I truly don’t!
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July 6th, 2008 at 12:36 am
It’s ok Dion, but this is the idea. A small change here, a little there. That makes the car to look different. You will not see the differences if the car is alone on the road. But put them one to another. May it look like?! I don’t think so. And I guess it’s not that easy to change all the production line.
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July 6th, 2008 at 5:19 am
the BA front slightly resembles the VE front only because the features are similar like rectangular lights and grille but apart from that… the VE has some over sized E46 3 series wheel arches that look ridiculous with anything smaller than 18 inch wheels.
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July 7th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
The main point AUguy was getting at is everyone likes to praise Jap or prestige brands for bringing a new model to market that has strong styling traits carried over from the previous model yet when Ford released the FG they were blasted for making it look too similar to the BF.
the new Honda accord is a good example of looking like the previous version also.
I like this new 7 series, looks cleaner and more elegant than the previous model.
Quality looks like it’s also improved.
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July 10th, 2008 at 1:17 am
The front BMW style grill is so horrible out of proportion. Apart from that it doesn’t seem too bad.
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July 10th, 2008 at 2:22 am
I enjoy driving a 2006 760i and was planning to replace it with the new 2009.
So I am the real customer.
But today on internet what i see a chinese designed BMW!!!
I know only one uglier car (except Ssang Yongs) and it is also a BMW the new X6.
Don’t you have decent people working in your design department what is this interior (especially the ventilation) and what does this car has to do with the beatifull CS. Can it be the same company.
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July 10th, 2008 at 2:28 am
I do not buy Mercedes because of the late money style interior, especially shiny controls on the doors but after this even Mercedes looks better to me.
I hope the new A8 will be a beatifull one, anyway it can not be worse than this.
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