BMW has taken a scalpel to the 7 Series and sculpted a new look straight from the playbook of the 6 Series coupe. For the first time we see a BMW with a flat nose — the redesigned car is slightly bigger and will no doubt be more expensive than the outgoing model.
Don’t think this is a mild facelift to keep sales fresh. BMW has altered the frame and chassis with a new blend of steel and aluminum, completely redesigned the interior and dropped two new engines under the hood. The 2009 7 Series also will be the first vehicle to feature a new iteration of the much maligned iDrive system. No on-sale information has been released, but we don’t expect to see the new 7 Series hit the U.S. until the 2009 calendar year.
Keep reading for more of the updates and, of course, a full photo gallery.
750i, 750Li come with twin turbo V-8 engine, 407 hp, only trim coming to U.S.
Optional active steering with rear-wheel steering
Standard adjustable damping control
Optional internet access
Revised interior
New iDrive system with improved graphics, digital owner’s manual
Additional environmental controls/knobs/buttons
Ambient lighting
Optional sliding roof measuring 23.6 inches by 36.2 inches
Standard parking sensors, backup camera
Optional sideview cameras
Managing Editor
David Thomas
Former managing editor David Thomas has a thing for wagons and owns a 2010 Subaru Outback and a 2005 Volkswagen Passat wagon.