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New BMW 7-Series E65 for Yr 2001
Fourteen photos below optimized for 800 x
600 screen resolution............383KB............Major
Update March 13th 2000
Translation of an article from German car magazine "Auto
Bild" issue 9, March 3rd 2000 written by Georg Kacher
..
The 7th Sense
.
Computer retouch: Auto
Bild Additional background retouching and
further preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster Please note that the computer retouch shows how the magazine thinks the car will look like and is based on right-hand spy-photo |
Photo: Auto Bild
Both texts: Auto Bild
Additional background retouching and further preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster . |
Completely new, but no formal revolution. The
fourth generation of the 7-Series is clearly more round, massive, but nevertheless not fat |
The 7-Series has Bi-Xenon headlamps
and neon turn signals, but still not the new light which shines into corners |
Caught: How the 7-Series drove in front of our lens
The first photos of the new big BMW: Good disguise is half the battle. That begins with the black body paint which even contrasting surfaces lets melt into an optical unity. Also with the disguises on front and rear there's method in, because the front grille and the lights are the characteristics of a car. And those one wants to remain secret as long as possible. Completely undisguised: The arch-shaped roof, the generous glazing, the new hanger-type handles, the wide-track chassis. In all the 7-Series adopts many design elements from the big Audi ((A8)). |
Some design elements of the new four-door by the way turned up already with the Z9 show car, which was presented at the 1999 IAA ((motor show, Frankfurt, Germany)). Above all the plain graphics of the rear lights and the innovative light technique of the gullwing are pioneering. The interior concept of the Z9 also points the way to the future. Instead of even more switches, knobs and lights BMW sets on a minimalistic cockpit, too, without superficial effects.
Happy greetings from the Z9. With the new
7-Series we will find a similar rear view like with this IAA-study. |
Less is more: The Z9-interior is behind the next
7-Series. Clear, without any button chaos. .Both photos and photo texts: Auto Bild |
Although the two traditional round instruments will stay,
the overloaded centre console will also be sorted out like the surrounding
mess of buttons. The most important operation elements in the future will
be the central colour monitor and the push- and turn-button located between
the seats, which is equally good accessible for the driver and the front
passenger. Intuitive operation concept BMW calls this simple and at the
same time practical solution, with which one has the four functional groups
audio, communication comfort and driving extremely well has under control
in the true sense of the word.
In contrast to the Mercedes S-Class with air suspension
and to the Audi A8 fully dressed in aluminium the new 7-series on the whole
trusts on old values. The suspension is conventional, the body mostly consists
of high-grade steel and even on the aged strut front axle the guys from
Munich want to hold onto.
Rejected: BMW didn't want the 7-Series this way | . |
Computer graphics and text: Auto Bild/Huckfeldt Further prep. for the web by MBEP webmaster Unmasked by Auto Bild two years ago, but changed in the meantime: The slightly baroque original version from 1998 |
When BMW began with the development of the new 7-Series, Rolls-Royce
was as good as lost for the people from Munich. The noble marque was in
possession of VW (in the meantime Wolfsburg sold it to BMW), but BMW didn't
want to give up the segment without a fight.
Therefore the then members of the board Pischetsrieder and Reitzle set on a conservative, markedly classic design. The idea behind that: A version with lengthened wheelbase could have taken part in the absolute luxury class as 9-Series. But then things turned out very differently: Rolls-Royce after all to BMW, Pischetsrieder and Reitzle left BMW - and with them the end for the "Cathedral on wheels". |
New however is the integrated chassis management (ICM). It contains a further refined stability programme, an active sway compensation and an interesting attenuation force control system which enhances the suspension comfort as well as the driving security. Beyond that BMW works at an electro-hydraulic brake system which reacts on electronic impulses (brake by wire).
Computer retouch: Auto
Bild Additional background retouching and
further preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster Please note that the computer retouch shows how the magazine thinks the car will look like and is based on right-hand spy-photo |
Photo: Auto Bild
Text left: Auto Bild Text
right: MBEP
webmaster
Additional background retouching and further preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster |
New rear: Retracted waistline, diagonal rear
lights. Plus full tires. For the new 7-Series 18, 19 and even 20 inch wheels are available. |
Jumper cables from the trunk leave speculation
the battery is placed in the trunk. . |
The dual-circuit on-board net with 48 instead of 24 volts
necessary for that shall be supplied with electricity from a camshaft-startgenerator.
To the advantages of the super brake count constant pedal forces, shorter
stopping distances also in corners as well as an automatic parking brake
with roll-back protection on hills and at traffic light starts. Sounds
complicated, but becomes reality soon.
The same is valid for the light technique, which stands
under the motto "more sight - more security". The Xenon-technique for high-
and low-beam is already existent at Audi and Porsche, but with neon turn
signals and brake lights BMW plays the pioneering role. The advantages:
Shorter reaction times and different light strengths. The higher the pedal
pressure the higher the brightness.
To the old practices which do have no more place in the
upper class belongs the manual transmission. Therefore the new 7-Series
will be available with automatic transmission only. But also here BMW does
not leave the known five-speed box, but together with ZF has developed
a six-speed self-shifter with Steptronic.
The new 7-Series will be presented in July 2001 |
In Europe the by far most sold engines with the 7-Series
are the six-cylinders with a market share of nearly 60 per cent. In this
important segment with the model change the 728i will be substituted by
the 730i, which mobilizes 231 hp ((DIN)) and 300 Nm. The two V8-models
735i and 740i get revised engines, too. With an unchanged displacement
of 3.5- and 4.0-litres power output and torque shall be risen and the fuel
consumption reduced.
Especially economical are the two diesel variants. The
revised 730d delivers 193 hp ((DIN)) and 430 Nm. Even more hefty is the
740d V8 which with 238 hp ((DIN)) and 560 Nm acts powerful especially in
the middle rev range. In the top model of the new 7-Series again a 12-cylinder
engine is on duty. But the model designation 750i is misleading - the displacement
of the revised twelve-cylinder engine climbs from 5.4- to 6.0-litres. At
the same time the power output shall rise to roughly 400 hp ((DIN)) and
the torque to 575 Nm. The technical clou of the new V12 is the gasoline
direct ignition, which later also shall come to the benefit of the other
engines.
The competition: Audi and Mercedes arm up | Competitors: Audi A8 and MB S-Class |
When BMW presents the new 7-Series next year the competition
has to hold against. Especially Audi will find it hard then, because the
A8 presented in 1994 has to hold out for roughly one year. So Ingolstadt
starts with a living cell therapy already this year.
In May the delivery of the 225 hp strong 3.3-litre TDI-V8 shall begin. At the end of the year the twelve-cylinder is on schedule. The most complicated unit, developed by Volkswagen and unloved by Audi, has a displacement of 6.0-litres and comes in W-shape (three four-cylinders blocked with each other). The nominal power output shall be 425 hp, the maximum torque shall be roughly 550 Nm. At the beginning of the year 2001 with the 440 hp strong RS8 Biturbo the ultimate topmodel comes onto the market. Market leader Mercedes can react a bit slower, produces the S 400 CDI V8 with 250 hp from this summer on. Also still this year the long 600 Pullmann goes into serial production. And AMG thinks about an S 50 CDI and an S 60 V10. |
Photo top:Auto Motor u.Sport Photo bottom:DaimlerChrysler Further preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster .... |
How much the next BMW-flagship will cost isn't known yet.
But it is fixed that the waiting time with the new 7-Series shall be reduced
to a minimum. Original sound from Munich: "On markets close to the production
location((s)) delivery will take place ten days after order at the latest".
End of article - Translation by MBEP
webmaster.
As usual remarks in ((blabla)) but (blabla) belongs to
original text.
The headline "The 7th Sense" comes from a popular German
TV spot series dealing with driving safety.
Translated excerpt from an article from "Auto Motor und Sport", July 1999 written by Birgit Priemer
Computer retouch: Auto Motor und Sport Additional
background retouching and further preparation for the web by MBEP
webmaster
Please note that the computer retouch shows how the magazine thinks the car will look like and doesn't show an actual photographed car |
..Also in the meantime the design
of the 7-Series was fixed. ...In contrast to that ((the new BMW roadster
Z8 which will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September))
one wants to achieve higher numbers with the new 7-Series, which shall
attract attention from 2002 on. Instead of orientating here on the own
past, too, BMW after all risks a view into the future with its top model.
"A car like from another star",
Ex-BMW chief of distribution Wolfgang Reitzle went into raptures still
before his departure to Ford and announced a "great design step, which
then will also make its arrival into the model line from the base".
Fact is that the new 7-Series sees
the world with different eyes. Although the base structure will be kept
with double round headlamps behind a cover, but above that the turn signals
stretch like a small eyebrow. The rear lamps present themselves newly designed,
too, which from both sides stretch like a small light band into the trunk
lid.
Newly shaped bumpers with protection
strips painted in the body colour emphasize the more sporty charm of the
new 7-Series as well as the now more prominent spoiler edge on the trunk
and the smooth body, which especially in the area of the end of the hood
and the rear roof area looks more round than up to now.
The 7-Series will lack nothing
which makes dealing with the car pleasant, because, as friends of the house
of BMW are saying, "since Reitzle isn't there anymore in all divisions
a boost of creativity is noticeable".
That will stretch into the deepest
inside of the 7-Series (internal code E 65), because although the aluminium
chassis basically is an evolution of the 5-Series, in view of comfort and
handling a new standard shall be set.
This is enabled by an electronically
adjusted chassis with air suspension and computer controlled hydraulic
cylinders for reduction of pitch- and roll movements of the body, similar
to the so-called Active Body Control ((ABC)) from Mercedes. The difference
is that Mercedes offers this system for the time being with the new CL-Coupe
in combination with steel suspension only, but BMW with the 7-Series builds
on the more comfortable air suspension.
The interior shall be designed
comfortable, too, which despite nearly unchanged exterior dimensions shall
be more roomy than up to now. In the future a navigation system and internet
connection will be natural
in the daily routine of a 7-Series
driver.
Whilst the sale probably will start
with the known eight-cylinder engines, later the programme shall be completed
with a modified twelve-cylinder. This builds on the block of the known
engine ((two-valve V-12 built since 1986, max. torque 490Nm at 3900 revs)),
but then will be equipped with new heads with four-valve technique and
probably with gasoline direct ignition. The displacement shall be raised
from 5.4 to nearly six litres, the power output from 326 to nearly 400
((DIN-)) HP.
The power transmission onto the
rear wheels here is taken over by a new six-step automatic
transmission, which will also be
offered in combination with the 245- ((DIN)) HP V8-diesel. The advantage
of the stronger dimensioned transmission with the self-igniter: The maximum
torque, currently flattened at 560Nm due to the lack of a suitable transmission,
could be raised to 600Nm.
A development which should increase the fun of driving as well as the new chassis technology. Only for Mercedes things could be spoilt with the then already a little aged S-Class. End of excerpt from "Auto Motor und Sport" - Translation by MBEP webmaster As usual remarks in ((blabla)), but (blabla) belongs to original text.Photo: Auto Motor u.Sport |
Computer retouch: Auto Motor und Sport Additional
background retouching and further preparation for the web by MBEP
webmaster
Please note that the computer retouch shows how the magazine thinks the car will look like and doesn't show an actual photographed car |
Both computer graphics: Stern Further
preparation for the web by MBEP
webmaster
Please note that both computer graphics show how the magazine thinks the car will look like and don't show an actual photographed car Facts based upon the text from German glossy magazine
"Stern":
|
Computer graphics: Auto
Bild/Huckfeldt
|
Personal comment from MBEP
webmaster:
Besides the fact that the above graphics for "Auto Bild"
appeared first in an American car magazine
and not in "Auto Bild" it's interesting how much the
computer designer's impressions differ only
roughly two years before the presentation of the car.
Additionally its remarkable that currently no spy-photos of the "real"
beast are available.
There are strong rumours that BMW will introduce a retro-design
2002 and I wonder how much that influenced Mr. Huckfeldt`s graphics respectively
the information it is based on. The retro-design
features a big front grille, the rear side window shows
similarities to 1960`s BMW's and the waist-line does, too.
In my very personal point of view the retro-design is
more attractive than the "modern" design variant
from "Stern" as it more clearly shows the vehicle is
a BMW.
Anyway, in the past BMW was much criticized for the relatively
slight changes in design with new car series and so it would seem logical
the design of the new 7-Series will differ much more from it's predecessor.
An additional email from Israel
from July 19th 1999:
Hi,
We appreciate your publishing of our thoughts of the
next 7 series.
In seems to us that the new pics (published in Automotorundsport)
represent a MUCH cleaner design than the ones which were published so far.
very satisfying. Overall, the design is clean and impressive.
A shame, though, about some small details which we find
inflict this harmonious design:
First and foremost, the wheel arches: it's high time
somebody told BMW to stop making their saloons with swollen arch wheels:
Imagine yourself the same design with the arch wheels of the Z8 (or of
the S class, for that matter): Namely, BMW should use "integrated", small
arch wheels when the front one is at the same height as the back one. It
will also be a new (more original) approach and make the design more symmetric.
Apart from that, we feel that the "extra" light on the bonnet is unnecessary.
BMW should drop that extra "ornament".
And finally, we feel that a 7 series should be once offered
with a "no-chrome" option, as on the M5.
All in all, though, this design is the best so far of
the 7 series (finally- good spy shots of the 7!).
We are glad that there will be an air suspension plus
the famous aluminium chassis (hopefully a 4 link in front).
We should hope for a long-wheel-version which will be
very big and imposing as to compete with the might of the Maybach and (BMW's-owned)
Rolls-Royce.
And may we add that the design of the boot (straight,
not high, not downward-sweeping, as we have wanted) is also great.
We'd also want the windows to be a mite bigger (for better
visibility) but that's it.
May BMW offer as an option bumpers which cover the exhaust
pipes, it will contribute to the already clean design (and thank god they
haven't introduced a "bonnet grill " for draining water which might have
defected the clean design of the bonnet).
We hope (again) that you will publish our reaction (and
if you could, somehow, make BMW design department know what we all want).
We'll be keeping an open eye on this site.
Looking forward to your reply,
BMW fans (bmwisbest@yahoo.com).
Here's what I think about the next 7-series...
That first picture on the 7-series page looks like a mildly modified current 7-series, if not a step-back in design. How will BMW (with a rep for making "The Ultimate Driving Machine") make people choose a new-generation 7-series like the latest prototypes shown over a shiny new S-Class (bigger, well-poised, with a more appealing, more aggressive design, etc.)? The 7-series exterior design is already outdated. Another face-lift would further age it. I say, scrap the current design. Keep a few charactaristic touches, but modernize them! Although Automobile Magazine's idea of what the next model will look like was laughable to the rest of the world, it showed that the American public preferred a more tight-fitting exterior over a more traditional European design. Automobile Mag's idea so far beats all the others (especially the latest from Auto Motor und Sport) as far as modern designs go. With another face-lift, the 7-series would be targeting the same buyers it has been for many years. To make money, a car company should always search for ways to target a new age-group.
Paul B.
http://www.caraddict.net/index2.html.NEW
URL Visit Paul's nice site!
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