BMW is readying a facelift for its
flagship 7 Series sedan. That prototype was believed to be the
top-of-the-line M760i version. But the twelve-cylinder performance model won’t
constitute the bulk of the 7 Series sedans that BMW will sell.
Captured in “standard” (non-M)
specification while undergoing testing, this pre-production prototype gives us
at least an idea of what the Bavarian manufacturer has in store for its big
saloon. The latest batch of spy shots shows a test car on the Nurbugring for
some high-speed testing.
More of a facelift than a comprehensive
replacement, the revised 7 looks poised to gain a larger grille like that seen
on the X7 concept. The production version of that crossover will sit alongside
this sedan and the 8 Series Coupe at the very top of BMW’s growing lineup. The
latter will debut on June 15. Changes will include new headlights and
taillights that will probably get a thinner profile, the aforementioned new
kidney grille and redesigned front and rear bumpers.
Expect BMW to apply more revisions
inside – especially to its infotainment and driver-assistance systems – all to
help it secure a larger slice of that big luxurious pie. The cabin of BMW’s
flagship sedan will feature the latest version of the iDrive infotainment
system, possibly with a bigger touchscreen display, as well as the all-new
configurable digital instrument cluster that was previewed a few days ago. BMW
will also update the list of trim and upholstery options, further boosting the
7-Series’ appeal to high-end customers.
We don’t know much about the changes in
the engine range department, but it’s safe to expect the facelifted 7-Series to
use the latest powertrains with the 8-Series. The range will include a
redeveloped 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 750 Nm of peak
torque, with the rest of the engine options to be updated for lower emissions
and better performance.
Expect the revised BMW 7 Series to
arrive sometime next year as either a 2019 or 2020 model.
