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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
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The 7th Sense
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Here he stands: The new BMW 7-Series.  His target: The top of the upper class. His technique: Typically BMW - comfortable and dynamically at the same time. Special characteristics: The body design, which found acceptance at the second glance only.

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Even when he was nearly fully blind Herbert Quandt insisted on an unwritten privilege: The design acceptance of new BMW models, if needed by pure feeling of the shape of the design. Also the heirs of the charismatic tycoon take lively personal part in the fate of BMW. When the new CEO, Joachim Milberg, lead the principal shareholders through the design studios shortly after his assumption of office at the end of February 1999, the group stopped in front of the successor of the 7-Series, which shall come onto market in summer 2001. The opinion of the delegation from ((the German town of)) Bad Homburg: A representative car, but not necessarily a perfect BMW. Above all the high front of the car and the squared rear let the flagship look bulky and fussy.
The critics fell on fertile ground. In the second half of the year 1999 the model with the project number E65 was revised in record time. The result: Front and rear now look elegant and sporty, the 7-Series presents itself optically again more like a driver's car than a chauffeured limousine.

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

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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

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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": -Head of designers is Chris Bangle -"Heading Control" gives recommendations for lane  changing. The system automatically shuts off if the  driver takes both hands off wheel -Intelligent steering wheel: If car goes slightly off  the recommended lane the steering wheel witches

Computer graphics: Auto Bild/Huckfeldt  Please note that the above computer graphics shows how the magazine thinks how the car will look like and doesn't show an actual photographed car Additional preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster

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!

Last revised technically: October 12th 2000...Visits since July 8th '98..

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